For a considerable period, Hollywood’s portrayal of fathers often leaned towards absenteeism or incompetence. They were depicted as either consumed by their careers, much like the pre-Don Draper era of detached businessmen, or as endearingly inept parents, seemingly clueless about fatherhood. However, amidst these stereotypical portrayals, a refreshing contrast emerged: a movie dad who was consistently present at school plays, an enthusiastic supporter of his children’s aspirations, and utterly devoted to his wife.
This was Gomez Addams. For many, he offered a unique reflection of fatherhood rarely seen on the silver screen.
While undeniably eccentric and unconventional – after all, being labeled “creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky” is no small feat – and possessing an almost comically vast and unexplained wealth that served as a plot device in both the movie adaptations of the New Yorker comic and the subsequent TV series, Gomez’s appeal went beyond mere peculiarity. The deeper connection lay in his humanity.
Raúl Juliá’s portrayal of the mustachioed patriarch exuded a certain kindness, a deeply human quality in his exaggerated responses to life’s events. Whether it was exuberant joy at his family’s antics or theatrical despair when the Addamses faced misfortune, Gomez was always fully engaged. He was an involved father who embraced life with passion, be it through tango dancing, fencing, or constructing elaborate train sets. These might seem like quirky hobbies, much like a father waking up at odd hours for international sports games, but they were simply expressions of his unique “dad” persona.
Growing up as a quiet and introspective child, books were my refuge. Often mistaken for shyness, my love for reading was simply a preference for quieter pursuits. During family gatherings, while the world around me buzzed with activity, I would often retreat to a corner with a book. My father never pressured me to abandon my solitude. Instead, he nurtured my interests, taking me to libraries and ensuring a constant supply of reading material. He accepted me for who I was, an intense and thoughtful child. Watching The Addams Family one October, the realization dawned that I mirrored Wednesday Addams in my own family dynamic, and my father, in his own way, embodied the accepting and supportive nature of Gomez.
The casting of Raúl Juliá, a Latinx actor, in the role of Gomez was also significant. Juliá subtly incorporated his Puerto Rican accent and speech patterns, adding another layer to the character’s theatricality and richness. Gomez’s name itself has a varied history – originally nameless in the comics, later designated Castilian-Spanish in the TV show, and even known as “Homer” in Spanish-speaking countries to avoid linguistic confusion. However, for many, including myself, there was an inherent understanding of Gomez as a character who resonated with Latinx identity. While acknowledging other actors who have played Gomez, Juliá’s interpretation felt definitive and authentic. This feeling persists even with Oscar Isaac’s voice portrayal in the animated movie, continuing the Latinx representation of Gomez.
The presence of positive Latinx father figures in popular culture remains limited. For every nuanced portrayal, numerous stereotypes persist, perpetuating outdated narratives of machismo and patriarchy. In 1991, when the first Addams Family movie was released, meaningful representation was even scarcer. Gomez Addams, despite his fantastical elements like a disembodied hand as a family pet, stood out as a genuinely devoted father. He was, in essence, just wonderfully, endearingly weird.
Gomez Addams, therefore, transcends the typical sitcom dad. He represents a father figure who is deeply loving, wholeheartedly supportive, and vibrantly present in his family’s lives, offering a refreshing and enduring image of unconventional yet ideal fatherhood.
