John Astin

Dark-haired, usually-mustachioed American actor with a cheeky grin, who achieved pop culture status through his portrayal of the kooky patriarch "Gomez Addams" in the hit TV seriesThe Addams Family (1964),John Astin was born on March 30, 1930 in Baltimore, Maryland. He studied mathematics at Johns Hopkins University, but he discovered a passion for the theater and began to perform in minor plays and do voice-over work for commercials. He first got noticed thanks to a small role inWest Side Story (1961), then appeared in several other films before being cast as "Gomez Addams". While "The Addams Family" was initially a huge hit, its popularity petered out after two years, and Astin moved on to other work including the offbeatBunny O'Hare (1971),playing a grizzled but not- particularly-bright gunfighter in the Western spoofEvil Roy Slade (1972),an appearance in the Disney comedyFreaky Friday (1976)and dual roles inNational Lampoon's European Vacation (1985).

He has since lent his comedic talents to numerous appearances as "Dr. Gangreen" in several corny "Killer Tomato" movies, and has contributed his voice to recreate "Gomez Addams" in the animated seriesThe Addams Family (1992), then played "Grandpa Addams" in the successful TV seriesThe New Addams Family (1998). In addition, Astin has contributed voices to several animated shows, and he still appears in films regularly.