JOHN ASTIN, 88 YEARS OLD

Best known for the character he played in The Addams Family as Gomez Addams from 1964 to 1966, John Astin reprised the role in the television film Halloween with the New Addams Family in 1977. Other Astin’s notable film roles included Move Over, Darling, West Side Story, Freaky Friday, That Touch of Mink, Teen Wolf, and The Frighteners. In 1968, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, his directorial debut movie, the comedic Prelude.

Astin started his career in theater with his first Broadway appearance in Major Barbara. He also did some voice-over work for commercials. At the time, he was spotted by actor Tony Randall for his talent in comedy. Eventually, he guest-starred on the sitcom Dennis the Menace. Astin serves as John Hopkins University’s director of the Theater Arts and Studies Department and Homewood Professor. He’s one of the few who earned a drama degree from the university.