John Astin

Personal Info

Known ForActing
Born1930-03-30
BirthplaceBaltimore, Maryland, USA

John Astin

Acting

Biography

Dark haired, usually mustachioed US actor with a cheeky grin who achieved pop culture status through his portrayal of the kooky patriarch "Gomez Addams" in the hit TV series The Addams Family (1964). John Astin standing at a height of 5' 11" (1.8 m) was born March 30, 1930 (Aries), in Baltimore, MD as John Allen Astin to Allen V. Astin and Margaret Astin with a brother Alexander Astin. He is an American actor, voice actor and director. He attended Washington, Jefferson College and Johns Hopkins University where he studied mathematics. However he discovered a passion for the theater and began performing in minor plays and doing voice-over work for commercials. Married Suzanne Hahn on March 26, 1956, had 3 sons: David Aston (born 1953), Allen J. Astin (born March 23, 1961) and Thomas E. Astin (born March 19, 1965), then divorced June 14, 1972. He first got noticed in a small role in West Side Story (1961), then appeared in several other films, That Touch of Mink (1962), Move Over Darling (1963), before being cast as "Gomez Addams". While "The Addams Family (1964–1966)" was initially a huge hit, its popularity petered out after two years, and Astin moved on to other work including the offbeat Bunny O'Hare (1971), playing a grizzled but not particularly bright gunfighter in the western spoof Evil Roy Slade (1972), an appearance in the Disney comedy Freaky Friday (1976), reprising the role in the television film Halloween with the New Addams Family (1977) and dual roles in National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985), Teen Wolf Too (1987) and The Frighteners (1996). Married Patty Duke on August 5, 1972, had 2 sons: Mackenzie Astin (born May 12, 1973) and adopted Sean Astin (born February 25, 1971), when he was 3 years old, then divorced November 3, 1985. Roughly four years later, he married Valerie Ann Sandobal on March 19, 1989 and is still presently married. 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 series The Addams Family (1992), and then played "Grandpa Addams" in the short-lived TV series The New Addams Family (1998). In addition, Astin has contributed voices to several animated shows, and is still active (1957-present) regularly appearing in films. Currently resides in Baltimore, Maryland with current wife. Astin was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for his directorial debut, the comedic short Prelude (1968).

Filmography

Acting (54)

2005
Betavilleas President Sender
6.5
2005
School of Lifeas Norman Warner
6.4
1996
The Frightenersas The Judge
7.0
1995
Harrison Bergeronas Golf Announcer
6.8
6.0
1994
4.8
1993
Stepmonsteras Minister
4.5
1992
The Addams Family Albumas Self / Gomez Addams (archive footage)
1992
Killer Tomatoes Eat France!as Prof. Mortimer Gangreen
5.4
1991
Killer Tomatoes Strike Back!as Jeronahew/Prof. Gangreen
4.9
6.5
1989
Night Lifeas Verlin Flanders
5.5
1989
The Saint: The Blue Dulacas George Lafosse
7.0
1988
8.0
1988
5.6
1987
Teen Wolf Tooas Dean Dunn
4.2
1986
Body Slamas Scotty
5.1
1986
Mr. Boogedyas Neil Witherspoon
6.3
1976
Freaky Fridayas Bill Andrews
6.1
1975
The Dream Makersas Manny Wheeler
7.0
1974
Only with Married Menas Dr. Harvey Osterman
7.5
1974
1974
Skyway to Deathas Andrew Tustin
5.2
1973
Brothers O'Tooleas Michael O'Toole
6.0
1972
Scooby-Doo Meets The Addams Familyas Gomez Addams (Voice)
5.9
1972
7.5
1972
5.0
1972
Evil Roy Sladeas Evil Roy Slade
6.3
1972
Wacky Taxias Pepper
4.9
1971
Two on a Benchas Dr. Stanley Remington
6.3
1971
Bunny O'Hareas Ad O'Hare
5.4
1969
Viva Max!as Sergeant Valdez
5.4
1968
Candyas T.M. Christian / Jack Christian
5.1
10.0
1967
The Spirit Is Willingas Dr. Frieden
5.5
1963
Move Over, Darlingas Clyde Prokey
6.7
1963
The Wheeler Dealersas Hector Vanson
6.3
1962
6.0
1962
Period of Adjustmentas Smoky Anderson (uncredited)
6.0
1962
That Touch of Minkas Mr. Everett Beasley
6.5
1961
West Side Storyas Glad Hand (uncredited)
7.2
1960
The Pusheras Detective
5.9
1958
The Kissas Male Necker
6.5
7.5

Production & Directing (5)

1972
Wacky TaxiDirector
4.9
1968
PreludeDirector
10.0
1968
PreludeProducer
10.0
1968
PreludeWriter
10.0