How The Addams Family Has Changed Over the Years, From the Comics to Wednesday
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The post How The Addams Family Has Changed Over the Years, From the Comics to Wednesday appeared first on Consequence.
The upcoming Netflix premiere of Wednesday cements how impactful the Addams family has been throughout pop culture since the inception of the characters. Like Wednesday Addams, each character has defined beloved character tropes that can be seen in different media properties since their creation.
However, as characters who have been around for 84 years, they haven’t stayed the same — they’ve adjusted with the times. So Let’s look at how these characters have evolved across their many live-action and animated appearances. Which one was voiced by Jodie Foster at one point? You’ll never guess.
Here is how the Addams family has changed over the years.
Morticia Addams
The Addams Family (MGM Television), The Addams Family (Paramount), Wednesday (Netflix)
Morticia Addams is the matriarch of the Addams family. Outside of Wednesday, she is one of the most recognizable characters in the franchise. Known for her stern personality and aesthetically pleasing and maccabe looks, Morticia’s character has influenced both pop culture and fashion alike.
Charles Addams’ Original Comics (1938): Morticia, like all other Addams family members, is unnamed. In the original comics she appears as a severe and stern matriarch of the family.
The Addams Family (1964-1966 Live-Action Series): Morticia is played by actress Carolyn Jones, where her most notable characteristics are defined. She gains a more lively and cultured personality, while still retaining some stoicism and her fierce love for her family.
The Addams Family (1973 Animated Series): Here Morticia, voiced by Janet Waldo,is based strictly off the original 1938 comics.
Halloween With the New Addams Family (1977 Live-Action Special): Based off the original 1964 television series, Morticia retains all of the characteristics from before.
The Addams Family (1991 Live-Action Film): Played by actress Anjelica Huston, Morticia, Hudson is said to have based her performance on iconic model Jerry Hall to add more warmth to the character.
The Addams Family (1992-1993 Animated Series): Morticia was played by Nancy Linari, in a more toned down version of her character to be suitable for children.
Addams Family Values (1993 Live-Action Film): Anjelica Huston reprises her role as Morticia from the 1991 film.
The New Addams Family (1998-1999 Live-Action Series): Played by the actress Ellie Harvie, Morticia is as macabe as ever, showcasing more of her unexplained supernatural powers.
The Addams Family (2019 Animated Film): Charlize Theron voices a colder Morticia, similar to her original 1938 counterpart.
The Addams Family 2 (2021 Animated Film): Charlize Theron reprises her voice as Morticia from the 2019 animated film.
Wednesday (2022-): Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Morticia in the upcoming Wednesday series.
Gomez Addams
The Addams Family (MGM Television), The Addams Family (Paramount), Wednesday (Netflix)
Gomez Addams is the patriarch of the Addams family and has undergone the most physical changes of them all: While his animated counterparts tend to stick with his original short and stocky stature, his live action appearance varies wildly (though some do aim close to the source material). Due to Gomez being the most sociable in the family, his cheery demeanor often stands out in contrast to the grim vibes of his loved ones.
Charles Addams’ Original Comics (1938): Gomez is established as the most social of the Addams family, with a fierce love for his family equal to his wife Morticia. He’s drawn as a short grotesque man with a childish personality.
The Addams Family (1964-1966 Live-Action Series): Played by actor John Astin, Gomez appears as a retired lawyer from his ancestral home of Spain and madly in love with Morticia.
The Addams Family (1973 Animated Series): Since it is based off the original 1938 comics Gomez (voiced by Lennie Weinrib) shares the same characteristics.
Halloween With the New Addams Family (1977 Live-Action Special): Gomez shares similar characteristics to the original 1964 television series, since John Astin reprises his role for the character.
The Addams Family (1991 Live-Action Film): Played by actor Raul Julia, Gomez retains his overbearing and strange social personality.
The Addams Family (1992-1993 Animated Series): John Astin reprises his role as Gomez in a more toned down version of his character, omitting his love for cigars.
Addams Family Values (1993 Live-Action Film): Raul Julia reprises his role from the 1991 film with a similar performance.
The New Addams Family (1998-1999 Live-Action Series): Played by Glenn Taranto, Gomez retains his eccentric and social personality.
The Addams Family (2019 Animated Film): Oscar Isaac voices Gomez with a performance that is a mixture of his original 1938 appearance and John Astin’s.
The Addams Family 2 (2021 Animated Film): Oscar Isaac reprises his role in the sequel movie of the 2019 animated film.
Wednesday (2022-): Luis Guzmán plays Gomez in the upcoming 2022 television series. It’s unknown how much his character will contribute.
Wednesday Addams
The Addams Family (MGM Television), The Addams Family (Paramount), Wednesday (Netflix)
By far the most recognizable Addams family member, Wednesday is most known for her stoic personality and obsession with death. But her original television appearance was far more sweet and innocent.
Charles Addams’ Original Comics (1938): In the original comics she is established as a child obsessed with death, who attempts to experiment on Pugsley.
The Addams Family (1964-1966 Live-Action Series): Played by Lisa Loring, Wednesday is given her name Wednesday after a nursery rhyme line. She’s rather sweet compared to her original personality.
The Addams Family (1973 Animated Series): Voiced by Cindy Henderson, Wednesday resembles her original characterization, though a bit toned down.
Halloween With the New Addams Family (1977 Live-Action Special): Lisa Loring reprises her role as Wednesday.
The Addams Family (1991 Live-Action Film): Played by Christina Ricci, Wednesday is much darker, similar to her original version.
The Addams Family (1992-1993 Animated Series): Similar to the 1973 animated series, Wednesday is a more toned-down version of her original version.
Addams Family Values (1993 Live-Action Film): Christina Ricci reprises her role as Wednesday.
The New Addams Family (1998-1999 Live-Action Series): Played by Nicole Fugere, Wednesday’s characteristics are expanded on and she becomes more sadistic because of it.
The Addams Family (2019 Animated Film): Voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz, Wednesday’s character develops enough to enjoy things, in opposition to her Addams nature.
The Addams Family 2 (2021 Animated Film): Chloë Grace Moretz reprises her role as a Wednesday figuring out her identity.
Wednesday (2022-): Played by Jenna Ortega, Wednesday will be the protagonist of the upcoming Netflix series.
Pugsley Addams
The Addams Family (MGM Television), The Addams Family (Paramount), Wednesday (Netflix)
Pugsley’s original incarnation was far more devious and vicious, but when the television show came around, his character was changed to appear more excitable and with an inventive spirit. Throughout all incarnations of his character, Pugsley remains an heavyset pre-teen, wearing the same striped shirt and black pants.
Charles Addams’ Original Comics (1938): Pugsley is characterized as a sadistic and conniving boy, who terrorizes his little sister Wednesday with his schemes.
The Addams Family (1964-1966 Live-Action Series): Played by child actor Ken Weathermax, Pugsley is a more kind-hearted boy with an inventive mind.
The Addams Family (1973 Animated Series): Voiced by Jodie Foster, Pugsley shares the same sadistic and conniving qualities as his original 1938 counterpart.
Halloween With the New Addams Family (1977 Live-Action Special): Ken Weather max reprises his role as a grown up Pugsley who became a witch.
The Addams Family (1991 Live-Action Film): Jimmy Workman takes the role of Pugsly.
The Addams Family (1992-1993 Animated Series):Voiced by Jeannie Elias. Pugsly’s characteristics are toned down similar to the 1973 animated series.
Addams Family Values (1993 Live-Action Film): Jimmy Workman reprises his role as Pugsly.
The New Addams Family (1998-1999 Live-Action Series): Played by Brody Smith, this sitcom expanded on Pugsly’s sadistic tendencies.
The Addams Family (2019 Animated Film): Voiced by Finn Wolfhard, Pugsly’s character gets more development, becoming introspective in preparation of the traditional rite of passage ritual the family has.
The Addams Family 2 (2021 Animated Film): Voiced by Javon Walton. In this sequel, Pugsly gets a love interest, in the form of a human-pig hybrid named Ophelia.
Wednesday (2022-): Played by Isaac Ordonez, Pugsly is portrayed as Wednesday’s little brother.
Grandma Addams
The Addams Family (MGM Television), The Addams Family (Paramount), Wednesday (Netflix)
Grandma Addams’ character has never stayed static, whether it be her appearance or role within the Addams family. In the original Charles Addams comics she was Morticia’s mother, but in recent incarnations she is Gomez’s mother. Despite those changes, she remains the competent witch of the family.
Charles Addams’ Original Comics (1938): In the original comics Grandma Addams is referred to as Grandma Frump, Morticia’s mother. She is depicted as foolishly good-natured and easily led.
The Addams Family (1964-1966 Live-Action Series): Played by actress Blossom Rock, Grandma Addams is a conniving witch who conjures potions and spells. She is retconned as Gomez’s mother, with another character becoming Grandma Frump.
The Addams Family (1973 Animated Series): Directly adapted from the original 1938 comics, Grandma Addams is toned down but comes off as far closer to her original character.
Halloween With the New Addams Family (1977 Live-Action Special): Played by Jane Rose. While most of the cast reprised their roles from the original 1964 show, Grandma Addams was replaced.
The Addams Family (1991 Live-Action Film): Played by actress Judith Malina, Grandma Addams is referred to as Grandmama and Morticia’s mother.
The Addams Family (1992-1993 Animated Series): Voiced by Carol Channing. Like the 1973 version, Grandma Frump is a toned down version of her 1938 counterpart.
Addams Family Values (1993 Live-Action Film): Carol Kane plays Grandmama, replacing Judith Malina.
The New Addams Family (1998-1999 Live-Action Series): Played by Betty Phillips, Grandma Addams is portrayed as a bit more sadistic and cruel as a witch.
The Addams Family (2019 Animated Film): Voiced by Bette Midler, Grandma Addams has a more active role in the family than her original easily fooled nature.
The Addams Family 2 (2021 Animated Film): Bette Midler reprises her role as Grandma Addams.
Wednesday (2022-): Grandma Addams will not appear in Season 1 of the Netflix series.
Thing
The Addams Family (MGM Television), The Addams Family (Paramount), Wednesday (Netflix)
Thing is a peculiar member of the Addams family, as originally, he was not just a disembodied hand. Recent incarnations feature Thing as we know him today — a disembodied hand whose lack of a body doesn’t keep him from exuding a lot of personality.
Charles Addams’ Original Comics (1938): In the original comics Thing was an entire entity too horrible to look at.
The Addams Family (1964-1966 Live-Action Series): Played by Ted Cassidy and Jack Voglin, Thing was changed to a disembodied hand.
The Addams Family (1973 Animated Series): Thing doesn’t appear in this adaptation.
Halloween With the New Addams Family (1977 Live-Action Special): Ted Cassidy Reprises his role as Thing.
The Addams Family (1991 Live-Action Film): Played by Christopher Hart, who’s training as a stage magician helped with his role.
The Addams Family (1992-1993 Animated Series): Thing doesn’t appear in this adaptation.
Addams Family Values (1993 Live-Action Film): Played again by Christopher Hart.
The New Addams Family (1998-1999 Live-Action Series): Played by Steven Fox.
The Addams Family (2019 Animated Film): Thing doesn’t appear in this adaptation.
The Addams Family 2 (2021 Animated Film): Thing doesn’t appear in this adaptation.
Wednesday (2022-): Played by Victor Dorobantu.
Uncle Fester
The Addams Family (MGM Television), The Addams Family (Paramount), Wednesday (Netflix)
Uncle Fester, like Grandma Addams, has had his role changed within the family since the beginning of the franchise, from having a loose connection to the clan to a far closer one. Regardless, he remains an eccentric character within the family, consistently sharing a remarkably close-knit bond with Wednesday.
Charles Addams’ Original Comics (1938): Uncle Fester originally appeared as an unnamed character in the original comics, unrelated to the Addams family.
The Addams Family (1964-1966 Live-Action Series): Played by Jackie Coogan, the character was defined as Morticia Addams’ uncle.
The Addams Family (1973 Animated Series): Voiced by Jackie Coogan, Uncle Fester remains an uncle of the family, while sharing some similarities to his original 1938 counterpart.
Halloween With the New Addams Family (1977 Live-Action Special): Jackie Coogan reprises his role as Uncle Fester.
The Addams Family (1991 Live-Action Film): Played by Christopher Lloyd
The Addams Family (1992-1993 Animated Series): Voiced by Rip Taylor, Uncle Fester’s characteristics are toned down like the rest of the family.
Addams Family Values (1993 Live-Action Film): Christopher Lloyd reprises his role as Uncle Fester.
The New Addams Family (1998-1999 Live-Action Series): Played by Michael Roberds, Uncle Fester has a bluer skin tone compared to the rest of the family.
The Addams Family (2019 Animated Film): voiced by Nick Kroll, Uncle Fester returns as Gomez’s brother.
The Addams Family 2 (2021 Animated Film): Nick Kroll reprises his role as Uncle Fester.
Wednesday (2022-): Played by Fred Armisen.
Lurch
The Addams Family (MGM Television), The Addams Family (Paramount), Wednesday (Netflix)
Loyal servant Lurch has managed to be one of the most consistent characters within the Addams family franchise.
Charles Addams’ Original Comics (1938): In the original comics Lurch is always seen around the family, carrying a feather duster, preferring to be mute. He’s considered to not be that good of a butler.
The Addams Family (1964-1966 Live-Action Series): Played by Ted Cassidy, Lurch communicates by groans and is always summoned by ringing a bell.
The Addams Family (1973 Animated Series): Ted Cassidy reprises his role as Lurch.
Halloween With the New Addams Family (1977 Live-Action Special): Ted Cassidy reprises his role as Lurch.
The Addams Family (1991 Live-Action Film): Played by Carel Struycken.
The Addams Family (1992-1993 Animated Series): Voiced by Jim Cummings.
Addams Family Values (1993 Live-Action Film): Played by Carel Struycken.
The New Addams Family (1998-1999 Live-Action Series): Played by John DeSantis.
The Addams Family (2019 Animated Film): Played by Conrad Vernon.
The Addams Family 2 (2021 Animated Film): Conrad Vernon reprises his role as Lurch.
Wednesday (2022-): Played by George Burcea.
Cousin Itt
The Addams Family (MGM Television), The Addams Family (Paramount), Wednesday (Netflix)
The iconic man of hair has been a staple of the franchise since the television days.
The Addams Family (1964-1966 Live-Action Series): Cousin Itt was made specifically for the television series with help of illustrations by Charles Addams. A completely hairy being that speaks gibberish. Played by Felix Silla
The Addams Family (1973 Animated Series): Played by John Stephenson
Halloween With the New Addams Family (1977 Live-Action Special): Felix Silla reprises his role as Cousin Itt.
The Addams Family (1991 Live-Action Film): Played by John Franklin.
The Addams Family (1992-1993 Animated Series): Played by Pat Fraley
Addams Family Values (1993 Live-Action Film): John Franklin reprises his role as Cousin Itt
The New Addams Family (1998-1999 Live-Action Series): Played by David Mylrea and Paul Dobson
The Addams Family (2019 Animated Film): Played by Snoop Dog
The Addams Family 2 (2021 Animated Film): Snoop Dog reprises his role as Cousin Itt.
Wednesday (2022-): Cousin Itt does not appear in Season 1 of the Netflix adaptation.
Wednesday premieres Wednesday (shocker!), November 23rd on Netflix.
How The Addams Family Has Changed Over the Years, From the Comics to Wednesday
Caitlyn Taylor
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