For decades, the Addams Family has captivated audiences with their delightfully dark and eccentric charm. Originating from Charles Addams’ comic strips in 1938, this family of frights has permeated pop culture through television series, animated shows, live-action films, and most recently, the hit Netflix series Wednesday. Each adaptation brings a unique flavor to the Addams Family Characters, highlighting their humor and horror in perfect, spooky harmony. As times evolve and new iterations emerge, certain Addams Family characters resonate more strongly with modern audiences. Here, we delve into a ranking of these beloved figures, exploring what makes each member stand out.
9. Grandmama Addams
Originally Played By Blossom Rock
Grandmama Addams, often depicted as Gomez’s mother or Morticia’s mother-in-law (adaptations vary), is the family’s resident matriarch with a penchant for the peculiar. Known for her unfiltered opinions and often barbaric commentary, Grandmama adds a layer of chaotic humor to the Addams household. Charles Addams himself described her as a “disrespectful old hag,” a testament to her delightfully abrasive personality. Throughout Addams Family history, she’s been brought to life by talented actresses like Blossom Rock in the classic TV series, Carol Channing in animation, and Bette Midler in a more recent animated film. Despite these portrayals, Grandmama, while a quintessential Addams Family character, often remains on the periphery compared to her more immediately engaging family members. Her absence in the first season of Wednesday suggests a potentially less prominent role in modern adaptations, though future seasons could certainly change this. For now, Grandmama Addams finds herself at the beginning of our character ranking.
8. Cousin Itt
Originally Played By Felix Silla
Cousin Itt is undeniably one of the most visually striking and memorable Addams Family characters. Composed entirely of floor-length hair, adorned with a bowler hat and sunglasses, and speaking in a unique gibberish understood only by Addamses, Itt is instantly iconic. Created for the 1960s television series, Cousin Itt’s recurring gag revolved around his ill-fated career attempts, hilariously oblivious to how his appearance might be a hindrance. He’s charmed audiences in the ’90s live-action movies and even in the 2019 animated film, where he’s depicted as remarkably small. As an extended Addams family member who doesn’t reside at the mansion, Cousin Itt’s presence is often less central in various Addams Family adaptations. This is particularly true in Wednesday, set primarily at Nevermore Academy, away from the traditional Addams home. While his screen time might be limited, Cousin Itt’s visual humor and bizarre charm ensure he remains a fan favorite, particularly with younger audiences discovering the Addams Family characters.
7. Lurch
Originally Played By Ted Cassidy
Lurch, the Addams Family’s towering and taciturn butler, is practically synonymous with the family name itself. This imposing, mostly mute figure has served the Addamses for so long he’s become an integral part of their peculiar household. Standing at an impressive 6’9″, Lurch’s immense size and strength sometimes make everyday butler tasks comically challenging, which he manages with characteristic groans and grimaces. The original television series offered little backstory for Lurch, though a normal-sized mother did make a memorable appearance. More recent adaptations, like the 2019 animated film, offer humorous origin stories, depicting him escaping an asylum and meeting the Addamses in a car accident. Lurch’s appeal lies in his surprising gentleness beneath a foreboding exterior. His lack of verbal communication paradoxically makes him incredibly expressive and endearing. He appears briefly in Netflix’s Wednesday, serving as the family driver, a nod to his enduring role. While any Addams Family iteration feels incomplete without Lurch, he doesn’t quite command the spotlight like the core family members.
6. Pugsley Addams
Originally Played By Ken Weatherwax
Pugsley Addams, with his classic striped shirt, shorts, and innocent, wide-eyed expression, might initially appear less overtly spooky than his family, but he is undeniably an Addams through and through. In the 1960s TV series, Pugsley is portrayed as a budding engineer, often constructing elaborate (and dangerous) devices like guillotines and torture tools, primarily aimed at his sister, Wednesday. The ’90s films shifted his persona to a somewhat less intelligent accomplice to Wednesday’s schemes, diminishing his independent inventiveness. Wednesday on Netflix continues this trend, depicting Pugsley as more naive and sweet-natured, a character requiring and deserving of his sister’s fierce protection. In modern Addams Family adaptations, Pugsley often serves to highlight Wednesday’s character development. While this can make him less individually compelling, his role within the family dynamic remains crucial. He’s often Wednesday’s willing participant in macabre games, reinforcing the Addamses’ overall strangeness. In Wednesday, Pugsley’s vulnerability even reveals a softer side to his often stoic sister, making him lovable in his own right, even if he’s not always a top-tier favorite among Addams Family characters.
5. Gomez Addams
Originally Played By John Astin
Gomez Addams, the debonair and passionate patriarch, embodies the very essence of the Addams Family. Charismatic, fiercely loyal, intensely eccentric, and deeply romantic, Gomez is the heart of the Addams household. He is a devoted father, an adoring husband to Morticia, and a staunch protector of his family. John Astin’s portrayal in the ’60s television series and Raul Julia’s iconic performance in the ’90s films cemented Gomez’s legacy. His theatrical flair, his love for swordplay and dramatic pronouncements, his boundless adoration for Morticia, and his sheer zest for life have consistently made him a highly popular character. In more recent adaptations, Gomez often takes a slightly more supportive role, proudly allowing Morticia and Wednesday to take center stage with their intellect and cunning. This evolution has highlighted his unwavering devotion to his wife and daughter, almost portraying him as honored to be in their presence. This shift in focus, while endearing, places Gomez slightly lower in rankings compared to the women he so admires, a position he would likely embrace wholeheartedly.
4. Morticia Addams
Originally Played By Carolyn Jones
Morticia Addams, the elegant and enigmatic matriarch, is a gothic icon who glides through the Addams mansion with spectral grace and corpse-like pallor. Her passions include beheading roses, conducting seances to commune with deceased relatives, and, most importantly, driving her husband Gomez into paroxysms of romantic ardor. Over the decades, Morticia has transcended character status to become a cultural icon and role model, influencing figures from Vampira to Elvira with her signature black dress, raven hair, and supernatural allure. Beyond her darker pursuits, Morticia is a deeply loving mother and devoted wife. Netflix’s Wednesday presented a slightly altered dynamic in Morticia’s character and her relationship with Wednesday, a change that sparked some debate among fans. While retaining her core essence, this version saw a slight reduction in her unwavering understanding of Wednesday, allowing for more individual character development for both. This nuanced approach, layered upon previous portrayals, ultimately makes Morticia an even more intriguing and complex Addams Family character.
3. Uncle Fester
Originally Played By Jackie Coogan
Uncle Fester, the perpetually hilarious and bizarre uncle, is literally a bright spark in the Addams’ otherwise gloomy abode. Famously capable of generating 110 volts of electricity at will, Fester can illuminate a lightbulb simply by placing it in his mouth. Initially depicted as Morticia’s uncle in the ’60s series, he became Gomez’s brother in the ’90s films, adding to the family’s delightfully convoluted relationships. Part of Fester’s charm is his utter lack of seriousness. He intentionally induces migraines just to use a giant vice on his head for relief and amusement. Despite his oddities and somewhat grotesque appearance, he holds deep affection for his niece and nephew and greatly admires their parents. As The Addams Family‘s most overtly comedic character, Uncle Fester has cultivated a unique level of fan adoration. This was evident in the enthusiastic response to his surprise appearance in Wednesday season 1. Though his role was brief, Wednesday’s rare genuine smile upon seeing him and the widespread online excitement confirmed his status as one of the most beloved Addams Family characters in the franchise.
2. Thing
Originally Played By Ted Cassidy/Jack Voglin
Thing T. Thing, or simply Thing, is a constant presence throughout every iteration of the Addams Family, though his nature is often left delightfully ambiguous. In the original ’60s television series, Thing was described as a “Thing” too ghastly to behold in full, only revealing his human hand emerging from various boxes and containers. Technological advancements in the ’90s films allowed Thing to become a fully disembodied hand, scuttling around the mansion—an interpretation carried into the Netflix spinoff. Wednesday even acknowledges the mystery surrounding Thing, with Wednesday herself noting his unclear origins as an Addams family enigma. Despite being merely a hand, Thing possesses a remarkably expressive personality. Initially a minor character in the original series, Thing has since evolved into an indispensable part of the Addams Family franchise. While many Addams Family characters had limited roles in Wednesday, Thing is a consistent and vital presence, acting as Wednesday’s confidant, helper, and even a sort of moral compass, communicating through a combination of American Sign Language and his own unmistakable, voiceless demeanor.
1. Wednesday Addams
Originally Played By Lisa Loring
Wednesday Addams, the perpetually gloomy daughter of Morticia and Gomez, has ascended to true pop culture icon status since her beginnings in Charles Addams’ cartoons. Her morbid sensibilities, delivered with impeccable deadpan humor, have consistently generated some of the biggest laughs across her various incarnations. Initially depicted as a six-year-old with a fascination for sharp objects and spiders, the ’90s live-action films aged her slightly, with Christina Ricci’s performance becoming definitive for a generation. Jenna Ortega’s portrayal in Wednesday has since propelled the character to even greater heights of popularity. The fact that Wednesday Addams received her own successful spinoff series is undeniable proof of her modern relevance. Despite her family’s eccentricities and her own morbid fascinations, Wednesday embodies the quintessential teenage experience, making her relatable to audiences across generations. Her sharp intellect, now-iconic dance moves, and unwavering deadpan stare have solidified Wednesday Addams as the most impactful Addams Family character across generations.
Which Version Of Each Character Is Best?
When considering the definitive portrayals of Gomez and Morticia Addams, two sets of actors often come to mind: John Astin and Carolyn Jones from the original series, and Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston from the 1990s movies. Both duos are exceptional and deserve recognition. Astin and Jones established the foundational template for the characters’ appearances and personalities. However, Julia and Huston arguably took these iconic Addams Family characters and truly made them their own, creating the versions that many consider definitive. Debates continue regarding the best portrayals of supporting family members, often boiling down to personal preference. For Lurch, Ted Cassidy’s performance in the original TV show remains iconic. Similarly, Jackie Coogan’s Uncle Fester is often considered the gold standard, though Christopher Lloyd and Fred Armisen have delivered memorable interpretations. While Blossom Rock was a fun Grandmama in the original series, Carol Kane in Addams Family Values is often cited as the most hilarious and memorable Grandmama. Pugsley’s character arguably became more engaging in the 1990s movies, making Jimmy Workman’s portrayal a standout, particularly his camp performance in Addams Family Values. Thing and Cousin It, being primarily physical performances or visual gags, don’t lend themselves to “best version” debates in the same way. Finally, for Wednesday Addams, while Lisa Loring was excellent in the original series, Christina Ricci in the 1990s films and Jenna Ortega in Wednesday are the two performances most frequently lauded. Ricci’s sardonic wit and combative nature are iconic, while Ortega brought a new depth and nuance to the character. Ultimately, the “best” Wednesday, like many Addams Family character portrayals, depends on individual viewer preference and what they seek in these beloved, spooky figures.
