JOHN ASTIN | 91

John Astin is an industry genius. Aside from being an actor, appearing in several films and television series, he is also a television director and voice artist. He is best known as Gomez Addams from the TV series The Addams Family (1964-1966). With his effective portrayal, he then reprised his role in the movie version Halloween with the New Addams Family in 1977 and even voiced the same character in the animated series The Addams Family in 1992-1993.

Aside from trademark character, he also has credits in movies West Side Story, That Touch of Mink, Move Over Darling, Freaky Friday, National Lampoon’s European Vacation, Teen Wolf Too, and The Frighteners. His first directorial film, Prelude, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. With all his accolades, how does he manage to make the best out of his different characters? There is something about the human being that can manifest greatness, the actor once stated in an interview. His relentless belief in the goodness of humanity is what makes his portrayals effective and relatable.