15 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of the Original Addams Family

It’s no secret that the 1964 The Addams Family was a pop culture treasure, but what about the mysterious details that went into creating TV’s most ghoulishly charming family? While the Addamses have been delighting fans for decades, the story behind the show is just as intriguing. Here are 15 behind-the-scenes facts about this sitcom you might have missed. 

The Theme Song Almost Didn’t Happen

The Addams family theme song has been a hit for decades, but it almost didn’t make the show. ABC considered cutting costs by not hiring a professional composer, but producer David Levy insisted on the best one, Vic Mizzy. Thankfully, they heeded Levy’s advice, blessing television with the upbeat sound we now associate with the show.

John Astin Wasn’t Too Confident About His Part

When fans think of this 60s show, they immediately applaud John Astin’s brilliant portrayal of Gomez Addams. But the truth is he had doubts about his abilities to portray the comic book character in a non-stereotypical manner. However, after deep introspection and practice, Astin’s skills were undeniable, and he made Gomez the lively, love-struck husband we know today.

Carolyn Jones Took Hours to Become Morticia

Playing Morticia Addams was challenging for Carolyn Jones. She spent two hours in makeup daily to get her signature pale complexion just right. Jones also had to wear a wig made of 100% human hair, as she had shorter, blonde hair. All this effort helped her become the elegant yet spooky matriarch.

Two People played Thing

Thing, the disembodied hand that appeared in scenes, was played by two different people. Ted Cassidy, who also portrayed Lurch, often performed Thing when the hand appeared from a box or table. But when Thing and Lurch had to be on screen simultaneously, assistant director Jack Voglin’s hand would take over.

The Show Was Filmed in Color—Kind Of

Though The Addams Family aired in black and white, the show’s set was actually a vibrant array of colors. The family’s living room was decorated in bright pink to help the monochrome film stand out. These odd color choices made the eerie atmosphere even stranger to behold, but it worked perfectly in black-and-white format.

Lurch Wasn’t Supposed to Talk

Lurch’s famous “You rang?” wasn’t in the original script. In the pilot episode, Cassidy was meant to remain silent, only serving as the Addams family’s stoic butler. But when he ad-libbed the line in his deep, booming voice, the crew loved it so much that Lurch became a speaking character for the rest of the series.

Cousin Itt Wasn’t in the Initial Comic Strip

Cousin Itt, the hairy little creature with the garbled speech, was not part of Charles Addams’ original comic, as he was created by the producers later as the show progressed. Despite this, his odd appearance and unique way of speaking made him an instant hit after his debut in episode 20 of the first season.

Ted Cassidy was a Literal Giant 

Standing at 6’9”, Ted Cassidy’s height singled him out of any room, but it wasn’t always a source of pride. Growing up, Cassidy was insecure about his towering frame and often felt out of place. However, his height became a defining feature that ultimately landed him the role of Lurch, the Addams family’s beloved butler

Gomez and Morticia’s Romance Was Groundbreaking

Gomez and Morticia’s on-set romance was revolutionary for 1960s television. Most sitcom couples at the time showed little affection, but the Addamses displayed convincing passion. Apparently, the actors were attracted to each other, and their flirtatious dynamic challenged the norms of TV marriages. Their daring performance broke the trend of stiff, traditional roles in Hollywood

The Mansion Was a Real House

The Addams family mansion wasn’t just a Hollywood set. The exterior shots of their spooky home were of a 19th-century Victorian house in Los Angeles, California. However, the interiors were filmed on a different set. Fans of the show would have loved to visit the house, but it was demolished only a short time after the show’s cancellation in 1966. 

Ted Cassidy Played the Harpsichord

Though Ted Cassidy pretended to play the harpsichord (a dead keyboard) as Lurch in the show, he was actually a skilled musician in real life. He even worked as a professional organist during his time in Dallas, Texas. This added authenticity to the scenes and gave Lurch a new dimension as more than just the quiet butler.

The Show Was Inspired by Single-Panel Cartoons

The Addams Family TV show was based on Charles Addams’ single-panel comics from The New Yorker’s 1938 to 1988 publications. These cartoons had no names for the characters, so the show’s creators had to develop the personalities we now associate with the Addamses. It was a big leap from static drawings to fully realized, beloved TV characters.

Wednesday’s Name Was Inspired by a Nursery Rhyme

Wednesday Addams got her name from the nursery rhyme “Monday’s Child,” which assigns traits to children born on different days of the week. The line “Wednesday’s child is full of woe” was the perfect fit for the gloomy, serious character. This little detail added to the overall spooky feel of the show.

Jackie Coogan’s Transition from Child Star to Uncle Fester

Jackie Coogan, who played the beloved Uncle Fester, was a major child star in the silent film era, famously acting alongside Charlie Chaplin in The Kid (1921). By the time he took on the role of Uncle Fester, Coogan had long transitioned into a different career phase and brought a playful energy to the role.

It Was Canceled Despite the Potential

Despite having a cult following, The Addams Family was canceled after just two seasons in 1966. The network decided to cut it along with The Munsters as audience interest in fantasy sitcoms waned. However, the show has lived on through reruns, movies, and reboots, proving its lasting charm with audiences decades later.