About
"What The Addams Family says is that it doesn’t matter what you’re like outside, it’s inside that counts. That’s why people who are disowned by society like the show so much. Real values are there underneath. During the run of the show psychiatrists wrote articles about how it was the healthiest show on the air. It was an affirmation of life."
In this three-and-a-half-hour interview, John Astin talks about his childhood and how an early experience seeing a production of Our Town made him to decide to become an actor. He recalls moving to Los Angeles and appearing on the westerns Gunsmoke and Maverick. He describes being cast as "Harry Dickens" alongside Marty Ingels on I'm Dickens... He's Fenster. Astin outlines his time as "Gomez Addams" on The Addams Family, discussing how he got the role, his fellow castmates, and the longevity of the show in reruns over the years. He recalls transitioning from acting to directing with his Academy Award-nominated short film Prelude, as well as directing several episodes of Rod Serling's Night Gallery and CHiPs. He concludes by discussing his stint on Night Court, his philosophy of acting, and how he'd like to be remembered. Jenni Matz conducted the interview on December 20, 2015 in Baltimore, MD.
Highlights
John Astin on becoming inspired to get into the theater
John Astin on working with Marty Ingels on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster and on writer Mel Tolkin
John Astin on cartoonist Charles Addams, on how he was almost cast as the butler on The Addams Family, and on the romance between "Gomez Addams" and "Morticia Addams"
John Astin on directing the short film "Prelude" and what attracted him to being a director
John Astin on studing theater in New York with Harold Clurman; various acting techniques and methods and his own approach to the craft
John Astin on the on-going popularity of The Addams Family
John Astin on appearing on Night Court and on his philosophy of acting
John Astin on what he wishes he'd known as a beginning actor and director
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on radio he listened to growing up and going to baseball games; on the first time he saw television and early television shows he enjoyed, and on his early interest in music
On his education; on becoming inspired to get into the theater; on transferring to a school with a theater program and deciding to become an actor
On his theatrical education; on his method of acting
On his early years as an actor in New York City; on starting to make a living as an actor and appearing in "The Three Penny Opera" in New York; on his earliest television appearances and appearing on live television
Chapter 2
On moving to Los Angeles; on appearing on Maverick
On being cast on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster; on his character, "Harry Dickens," on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster and on the slapstick of the show; on working with Marty Ingels on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster; on why the show was short lived
On being cast on The Addams Family; on making The Addams Family work; on casting The Addams Family, including Ted Cassidy as "Lurch"
On working with Carolyn Jones as "Morticia Addams" on The Addams Family; on his character, "Gomez Addams," on The Addams Family; on the on-going popularity of the show; on the theme song and opening credits of the show and on the revivals and legacy of the show
Chapter 3
On directing the short film "Prelude" and what attracted him to being a director
On directing and appearing on Night Gallery for Rod Serling; on directing CHiPs
On his directing style; on his influences as a director and actor; on Night Court; on his philosophy of acting
On teaching acting and his love of film; on what he wishes he'd known as a beginning actor and director
On his children becoming actors; on his longevity in the industry and his favorite projects; on his then-future plans and how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
Addams Family, The
John Astin on being cast as "Gomez Addams" on The Addams Family
John Astin on making The Addams Family work and on the romance between "Gomez Addams" and "Morticia Addams"
John Astin on casting The Addams Family, including Ted Cassidy as "Lurch"
John Astin on working with Carolyn Jones as "Morticia Addams" on The Addams Family
John Astin on his character, "Gomez Addams," on The Addams Family
John Astin on the on-going popularity of The Addams Family
John Astin on improvisation on the set of The Addams Family and the family dynamic of the show, and on the stunts on the show
John Astin on the theme song and opening credits of The Addams Family and on the revivals and legacy of the show
John Astin on the cancellation of The Addams Family
CHiPs
John Astin on directing CHiPs
I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster
John Astin on being cast on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster
John Astin on his character, "Harry Dickens," on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster and on the slapstick of the show
John Astin on working with Marty Ingels on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster and on writer Mel Tolkin
John Astin on why I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster was short-lived
Maverick
John Astin on appearing on Maverick with James Garner
Night Court
John Astin on appearing on Night Court and on his philosophy of acting
Night Gallery
John Astin on directing Night Gallery for Rod Serling
John Astin on appearing on some Night Gallery episodes
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
John Astin on his character, "Gomez Addams," on The Addams Family
Creative Influences and Inspiration
John Astin on his influences as a director and actor
Pivotal Career Moments
John Astin on his influences as a director and actor
Pop Culture
John Astin on his character, "Gomez Addams," on The Addams Family
John Astin on the theme song and opening credits of The Addams Family and on the revivals and legacy of the show
TV Theme Songs
John Astin on the theme song and opening credits of The Addams Family and on the revivals and legacy of the show
Professions
Actor
John Astin on his method of acting
John Astin on appearing on Night Court and on his philosophy of acting
John Astin on his longevity in the industry
Directors
John Astin on his directing style
John Astin on his influences as a director and actor
Performers
John Astin on his method of acting
John Astin on appearing on Night Court and on his philosophy of acting
John Astin on his longevity in the industry
Genres
Classic Anthology Series
John Astin on directing and appearing on Night Gallery
Comedy Series
John Astin on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster
John Astin on The Addams Family
John Astin on appearing on Night Court
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
John Astin on directing CHiPs
Western Series
John Astin on appearing on Maverick
People
James Garner
John Astin on appearing on Maverick with James Garner
Carolyn Jones
John Astin on working with Carolyn Jones as "Morticia Addams" on The Addams Family
Rod Serling
John Astin on directing Night Gallery for Rod Serling
Mel Tolkin
John Astin on working with Marty Ingels on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster and on writer Mel Tolkin