Carolyn Jones, forever etched in television history as the captivating and enigmatic matriarch Morticia Addams in the 1960s sitcom The Addams Family, stepped into the role not as a career fallback, but as a deliberate choice fueled by her lifelong passion for acting. Contrary to assumptions that the role was a refuge from a dwindling film career, Jones was genuinely drawn to the character’s unique allure and the opportunity it presented to showcase her acting prowess. For Jones, acting was the very essence of life, and Morticia offered a compelling stage to exercise her craft.
The specter of typecasting, of being indelibly linked to Morticia even after the show’s conclusion two years after its 1964 premiere, was not a concern that initially weighed on Jones. Even as The Addams Family wrapped its run, the potential for career pigeonholing seemed distant. However, time would reveal the profound and lasting impact of Morticia Addams on her career, proving to be a more significant challenge than she could have ever anticipated.
Image: Carolyn Jones, known for her role as Morticia Addams, and John Astin, who played Gomez Addams, are seen at a reunion event in the late 1970s or early 1980s.
Born on April 28, 1930, in Amarillo, Texas, Carolyn Jones’ early life, as detailed below, was far from idyllic. Marked by familial discord and a severe asthma condition, her childhood was largely confined to her home, spent in relative solitude with her younger sister, Bette Rhea. Yet, within the walls of her home, Jones discovered an escape and a burgeoning passion: the world of acting. This period of isolation ignited a fascination, which soon transformed into an unwavering ambition to become an actress.
The ensuing 17 facts trace the journey of Carolyn Jones, revealing the multifaceted life and career of the actress who became synonymous with Morticia Addams, exploring both her triumphs and the shadows cast by her iconic role.
1. A Childhood Shaped by Family Challenges
Image: A young Carolyn Jones pictured with her mother, Chloe, highlighting their close bond despite the family’s difficulties.
Growing up, Carolyn Jones was perceived as an anomaly, an outsider in her own family. Her mother, Chloe, grappled with agoraphobia, yet they shared a close, intimate relationship. Her father, Julius Jones, abandoned the family during Carolyn’s formative years, leaving her without the chance to ever know him. Consequently, Carolyn and her mother found themselves living with Chloe’s mother and stepfather in cramped quarters, fostering an unconventional family dynamic within a small house.
2. Early Health Battles and the Spark of Imagination
Image: A childhood portrait of Carolyn Jones, reflecting her early years marked by health issues and a burgeoning imagination.
Carolyn Jones’ childhood was significantly impacted by respiratory problems, confining her to the home for extended periods. Pop culture historian Geoffrey Mark explains this isolation as a pivotal factor in her aspirations: “Like many young people facing limitations, she turned to show business as a realm of fantasy and escape from her constrained life. Her world revolved around the radio and movie magazines. This became her focus, her reality.”
In a 1960s interview, Carolyn herself reflected on this period: “As a child, my health prevented me from attending school. I was too unwell to engage in typical play, so my education was primarily through tutors. My world became mental rather than physical.” This intellectual stimulation, born out of necessity, further fueled her imaginative spirit and her burgeoning dreams of becoming an actress.
3. An All-Consuming Desire to Act
Image: A striking 1950s studio portrait of Carolyn Jones, capturing her early ambition and Hollywood aspirations.
James Pylant, biographer and author of In Morticia’s Shadow: The Life & Career of Carolyn Jones, emphasizes the intensity of her childhood acting aspirations. “Acting wasn’t just a hobby; it was a burning desire, a true vocation,” Pylant states. “However, this ambition set her apart from her peers, making her feel like an outsider. Even as a child, Carolyn possessed a remarkable drive and ambition, single-mindedly focused on reaching Hollywood.” This unwavering focus, nurtured in isolation, would eventually propel her towards her dreams.
4. The Pasadena Playhouse: A Transformative Experience
Image: Carolyn Jones pictured at the Pasadena Playhouse, a pivotal institution in her early acting career.
By the age of 17, Carolyn Jones had successfully conveyed the depth of her acting aspirations to her grandfather. Recognizing her dedication, he became a staunch supporter, financing her enrollment at the prestigious Pasadena Playhouse in California.
“The Pasadena Playhouse was truly transformative for her,” notes James Pylant. “For the first time, she experienced freedom and found herself in her element, surrounded by like-minded individuals. Remarkably, aside from a brief two-week stint at a stationery company in Texas before leaving for California, Carolyn’s professional life remained exclusively within the realm of entertainment.” The Playhouse provided not only formal training but also a nurturing environment where her passion could flourish.
5. Paramount Pictures Beckons
Image: Carolyn Jones in a scene from the 1959 film ‘Career’, illustrating her early film roles before ‘The Addams Family’.
During one of Carolyn Jones’ performances at the Pasadena Playhouse, a talent scout from Paramount Pictures recognized her potential. This led to a contract with the renowned studio, marking a significant step towards her Hollywood dreams. While seemingly on the cusp of stardom, Jones still faced prevailing industry pressures and expectations that would shape her early career.
6. The Pivotal Nose Job and Shifting Perceptions
Image: Carolyn Jones in the 1950s, a period marked by significant changes in her physical appearance and career trajectory.
In a stark reflection of Hollywood’s superficial standards, Carolyn Jones’ career trajectory demonstrably shifted after undergoing a nose job, also financed by her grandfather. Pylant observes, “It’s a harsh reality, but she likely wouldn’t have received significant job offers without it. Following the procedure, everything changed. Hollywood’s perception of her, and consequently her opportunities, shifted dramatically.”
This experience resonated deeply with Jones. Years later, her willingness to guest star in a Dr. Kildare episode centered on a woman’s experience with a nose job underscores this. “She deeply identified with that character’s narrative,” Pylant explains. “The episode explored the complex aftermath of cosmetic surgery and the character’s resentment at the superficiality of male attention that only emerged after the procedure. Carolyn experienced this very dynamic in her own life.” This episode and her personal experience highlighted the often-unspoken pressures women in Hollywood faced.
7. The Blonde Ambition and the Shift to Brunette
In a 1953 interview with the Abilene Reporter-News, Carolyn Jones articulated the dual focus required for Hollywood success: talent and grooming. “Becoming a definitive blonde,” Jones stated, “led to my contract with Paramount. My experience suggests that blondes command more attention, fostering confidence and initiating a positive chain reaction.”
While there might have been some initial truth to this, the studio system was undergoing significant changes, leaving actors increasingly responsible for their own career navigation, as Geoffrey Mark points out. Small roles in reputable films were forthcoming, but consistent work remained elusive. Jones then made a calculated career move: she drastically cut her long blonde hair and dyed it jet black.
“This transformation was a turning point,” Geoffrey Mark emphasizes. “Hollywood truly took notice. Producers began asking, ‘Who is this striking woman?’ Award nominations followed, and she secured roles alongside Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Her fame ascended. She cultivated a unique and memorable persona.” The Presley film was King Creole (1958) and the Sinatra film was A Hole in the Head (1959), both pivotal in her rising star.
8. Embracing the Brunette Persona
Image: Carolyn Jones, as a brunette, signing autographs with actor Jack Kruschen around 1955, showcasing her evolving image.
“As a blonde,” Carolyn Jones reflected in a 1956 media interaction, “public perception often categorized me as a sexy but vapid figure. Brunettes, however, are viewed as assertive, ‘chase and conquer’ types. As a blonde, I found myself in constant competition with the likes of Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe. My lifelong ambition was to be recognized as a serious actress, not a mere sex symbol. As a brunette, I finally feel I’ve come into my own, aligning my image with my professional goals.”
However, James Pylant reveals a different layer of complexity from Jones’ personal diaries: “She expressed resentment towards the relentless physical transformations she felt compelled to undergo. She believed she was overlooked for certain roles because she was deemed insufficiently ‘pretty’ before her transformations. She perceived a lack of sincerity in the sudden interest she received after these changes, feeling people had previously dismissed her.” This internal conflict highlights the pressures and compromises faced by actresses in that era.
9. Navigating Ageism in Hollywood
Image: A portrait of Carolyn Jones, capturing her in her mid-thirties, a period when ageism began impacting her career opportunities.
Pylant points out that by her mid-thirties, Carolyn Jones perceived a decline in both the quantity and quality of available roles. “Hollywood’s ageist attitudes at the time were stark,” Pylant explains. “By 35, an actress was often considered ‘old,’ and substantial roles became scarce. The offers dwindled, leading her to increasingly focus on television to sustain her career.”
Geoffrey Mark adds context to the types of roles Jones often secured: “She frequently played ‘edgy bad girls,’ a description that sounds almost comical today. These were roles of women who defied conventional norms – women who weren’t virgins, who smoked and drank, who embodied bohemian or ‘beatnik’ lifestyles, or even prostitutes. She excelled in these portrayals. Then, approximately 14 years into her career, The Addams Family unexpectedly emerged.” This shift towards television and the typecasting in ‘edgy’ roles set the stage for her iconic, yet potentially limiting, role as Morticia.
10. Becoming Morticia Addams: 1964
In 1964, Carolyn Jones transformed into Morticia Addams, the elegant and macabre matriarch of The Addams Family. Based on Charles Addams’ single-panel cartoons in The New Yorker, the sitcom ingeniously subverted the typical American family sitcom format by injecting it with a darkly comedic, gothic twist. As Carolyn Jones famously quipped, “My direction on the first day of shooting was to play Morticia just like Donna Reed,” a reference to the quintessential wholesome sitcom mom, highlighting the intended ironic contrast.
Alongside Carolyn as Morticia, the stellar cast included John Astin as her passionately devoted husband, Gomez; Lisa Loring and Ken Weatherwax as their uniquely peculiar children, Wednesday and Pugsley Addams; Blossom Rock as the eccentric Grandmama; Jackie Coogan as the delightfully odd Uncle Fester; and Ted Cassidy as the towering, monosyllabic butler, Lurch. The show, a cultural phenomenon, aired from 1964 to 1966, solidifying Jones’ place in television history.
11. Embodying Morticia Through Acting Mastery
Geoffrey Mark posits that Carolyn Jones’ exceptional acting skills were crucial to her successful portrayal of Morticia Addams. “Bringing Morticia to life was an incredibly demanding task,” Mark explains. “She had to embody a character that seemed to step directly out of Charles Addams’ distinctive drawings. This applied to the entire cast, but Carolyn faced the additional challenge of imbuing Morticia with a smoldering sexuality rarely seen on 1960s television, particularly in sitcoms.”
“Morticia needed to project self-assuredness, warmth, and deep affection,” Mark continues. “She also had to make Gomez Addams, played by John Astin, appear irresistibly sexy. While Astin was a talented actor, conventional handsomeness wasn’t his defining trait. It was Morticia’s intense attraction to Gomez that convinced the audience of his underlying allure.”
Pylant adds, “The overt sexuality was indeed groundbreaking, especially considering the prim television landscape of the time. Coming from an era of sitcoms like I Love Lucy, with its famously separate beds, The Addams Family presented a couple engaged in overt romance, with Gomez frequently losing control in Morticia’s presence. This level of on-screen passion was unprecedented for television in that period.”
12. Carolyn Jones’ Genuine Affection for The Addams Family
A crucial point highlighted by Pylant is that Carolyn Jones’ decision to take on the role of Morticia Addams was not born out of desperation for work. “She genuinely connected with the material,” Pylant states. “Morticia resonated with her sense of humor, and her own personality and comedic sensibilities subtly infused the character and the show’s dialogue. For instance, when Charles Addams mentioned his idea for Cousin Itt, Carolyn playfully inquired, ‘Which side of the family is he from? Both sides, I hope!’ This line, reflecting her witty input, actually made it into the script.” This anecdote demonstrates her creative engagement with the character and the show’s development.
13. Crafting Morticia’s Iconic Demeanor
In an interview with The Corpus Christi Caller-Times during the show’s production, Carolyn Jones detailed the meticulous process of developing Morticia’s distinctive persona: “A significant part of Morticia emerged from the costume design. My skirt is so constricting that I can only move with a delicate, mincing gait, much like a Ming Dynasty figurine. This physical limitation naturally led to a restrained movement style, contributing to Morticia’s aura of serene calmness and inherent elegance.” The costume, therefore, was not merely an outfit, but a key element in shaping her performance.
14. Post-Addams Family Typecasting Concerns
The Addams Family enjoyed a two-season run from 1964 to 1966. Initially, Carolyn Jones seemed unfazed by the potential for typecasting. “Morticia doesn’t haunt me,” she asserted. “I’ve been very fortunate. Producers don’t solely perceive me as that character. I’ve had the opportunity to play a diverse range of roles, both before and after The Addams Family. And I even received an Academy Award nomination in 1957 for The Bachelor Party.”
However, Pylant offers a contrasting perspective, noting the growing impact of Morticia on her career prospects. “As she pursued new roles, the industry and the public increasingly associated her with Morticia,” he explains. “Gradually, she began to realize, ‘I am Morticia, for better or worse, forever,’ even though she maintained a deep affection for the role.” She did find some respite in guest appearances, notably as Marsha, Queen of Diamonds, in five episodes of the Adam West Batman series, a role that allowed her to embrace a different kind of campy villainy.
In 1977, she reprised her iconic role in the television movie Halloween with The Addams Family. By this point, facing fewer acting opportunities, she hoped the movie would revive the series. Unfortunately, despite her efforts, a new series did not materialize, underscoring the long shadow of Morticia.
15. Venturing into Novel Writing: Twice Upon a Time
Image: The book cover of “Twice Upon a Time,” a novel written by Carolyn Jones in 1971, marking a departure into literary endeavors.
In 1971, Carolyn Jones surprised many by publishing Twice Upon a Time, a novel that delved into sexually explicit themes, considered quite scandalous at the time. As work opportunities dwindled, she sought creative outlets. “I’m not one to idly tend roses,” she explained to The Austin American. “Boredom spurred me to write a book. Having recently navigated a personal ‘sexual crisis,’ the act of writing became therapeutic, a way to process and express those experiences.”
Pylant notes that Twice Upon a Time was met with mixed reactions. “It was perceived as a thinly veiled critique of Hollywood’s underbelly, and its explicit sexual content somewhat tarnished the public’s Morticia image. While Morticia was undeniably sexy, her sensuality was subtle and sophisticated, a stark contrast to the novel’s overt nature. The book achieved some commercial success but ultimately did little to advance her acting career.” It demonstrated her desire to break free from expectations and explore different creative avenues.
16. Final Acts and Daytime Drama
As the 1970s drew to a close, Carolyn Jones returned to her theatrical roots, performing in dinner theatre productions, an experience she cherished as it evoked memories of her time at the Pasadena Playhouse.
Her final screen role was as Myrna Clegg in the daytime soap opera Capitol, from 1982 to 1983. “Myrna is even more ruthless than J.R. Ewing,” she declared to The Kilgore News Herald in 1982, referencing the iconic villain from Dallas. “She and J.R. would make a formidable duo, capable of dominating the world. I based Myrna on three women I know, who would probably kill me if I revealed their identities.”
Reflecting on the appeal of Capitol, she observed, “Washington D.C. is the epicenter of glamour and scandal. Every day brings fresh scandals and bizarre news, providing ample material for drama. In Hollywood, we actors toil relentlessly. Politicians, perhaps less so. People might be surprised to learn how many stars go to bed alone. I suspect fewer senators do. They don’t have to be up at five in the morning with bags under their eyes reporting to work.”
Pylant reveals the poignant context of this final role: “When Capitol emerged, Carolyn had already received her cancer diagnosis. She auditioned for other parts, including Mrs. Roper on Three’s Company, but was unsuccessful. Imagine, a seasoned actress with her extensive body of work having to audition at that stage in her life. However, Capitol was a groundbreaking soap opera, distinguished by its ensemble cast of established stars. She embraced the role of Myrna wholeheartedly, feeling liberated to fully embody such a strong, uninhibited character. She saw Myrna as a female counterpart to J.R. Ewing, relishing the opportunity to play such a powerful and complex antagonist.”
17. Personal Life and Enduring Legacy
Image: Carolyn Jones with her then-husband, producer Aaron Spelling, on the set of ‘Zane Grey Theater’ in 1957, capturing a moment from her personal and professional life.
Carolyn Jones’ personal life included four marriages: Don Donaldson (1950-1951), the prominent television producer Aaron Spelling (1953-1964), Broadway musician Herbert Greene (1968-1977), and Peter Bailey-Britton (from 1982 until her death).
In March 1981, she received a diagnosis of colon cancer, a fact she kept private, attributing her declining health to ulcers. Despite her illness, she continued filming Capitol for a significant period. In July 1983, she slipped into a coma, succumbing to cancer on August 3 at the young age of 53.
“Her death was deeply shocking,” Pylant reflects. “Her resilience in continuing to act throughout her illness was truly remarkable. She was aware of her terminal condition but was determined to keep acting for as long as possible. Her performance in Capitol, delivered while undergoing chemotherapy and maintaining her privacy, is a testament to her extraordinary dedication and strength.”
“Her enduring legacy,” Pylant concludes, “is her iconic status. Her sister and I have often discussed how Carolyn would never have imagined the devoted following she commands decades after her death. An entire generation, born after she passed away, continues to celebrate her work in films and, of course, as Morticia in The Addams Family. This level of lasting impact would have been beyond her wildest dreams.”
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