Overview (4)

Mini Bio (2)

Ted Cassidy was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and raised in Philippi, West Virginia. He was a well respected actor who portrayed many different characters during his film and television career. His most notable role was Lurch, the faithful butler on the television series Die Addams Family (1964). His most memorable dialogue as Lurch would be, "You rang?", whenever someone summoned him. Due to his large size, (6ft. 9in.) he portrayed larger than life characters. His deep voice, was used for narrations and for dubbing certain character's voices. His acting career spanned three decades. Ted Cassidy died in 1979 from complications following open-heart surgery. His live-in girlfriend had his remains cremated, then buried in the backyard of their Woodland Hills home.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Sujit R. Varma

Spouse (1)

Margaret Helen Jesse (14 June 1956 - 1975) ( divorced) ( 2 children)

Trade Mark (2)

Incredibly deep basso profundo voice



Towering height and slender frame



Trivia (11)



Worked as a staff announcer for WFAA radio in Dallas prior to his acting career and was part of WFAA's ongoing coverage of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Among the first to interview assassination eyewitnesses W.E. Newman Jr. and Gayle Newman

Played one season of college basketball at Stetson University in the 1950s and averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds a game.





Lurch was supposed to be silent, as in the Charles Addams cartoons, but during the shooting of the pilot, when Ted made his very first appearance at the sounding of the gong, he ad libbed the now famous line, "You rang?" in his trademark sonorous voice, and everyone was so impressed that Lurch became a speaking role.

Married immediately after graduating from Stetson and worked at a radio station in Jacksonville, Florida, and then at a radio station in Pensacola, Florida (where his children were born), before taking a job at WFAA in Dallas, Texas. Contacts made at WFAA led to his audition for "The Addams Family".



Two children, a boy (Sean) born in 1957 and a girl (Cameron) born in 1960. Both children are now lawyers.





Brother-in-law of actor Dan Jesse . He was married to Jesse's sister from 1956 to 1976.



Best remembered by the public as the faithful butler Lurch in Die Addams Family (1964).



Cassidy narrated the opening credits of Der unglaubliche Hulk (1977). He provided the Hulk's growls and roars in the first two seasons before his death, but his narration for the opening credits remained throughout the entire series. The producers kept it on a tape cassette and only used it when they were filming the show.

Worked as a lifeguard in Ormond Beach, Florida during the 1950s.



His home, where his ashes were scattered, was sold and torn down.



Appeared on several episodes of Star Trek, and two of his later roles have also been played by Star Trek actors. His role as Lurch on The Addams Family was played in the films by Carel Struycken. His voice was used for the creature on The Incredible Hulk. He was replaced after his death by Charles Napier. Lou Ferrigno appeared on fan-made episodes, and Eric Bana played Dr.Banner in the 2003 film.



Personal Quotes (3)

"If I'm up for a part if, I'm asked to play something, I really worry what I'm going to be because they always make fellows like me the big dumb galoot, the oaf who doesn't know anything, who trips over himself. We are apparently idiots, all big men. You end up never leading anybody to anything. You end up holding people, while the boss hits them in the face -- scratching your head a lot wondering where all your marbles went. Well, that kind of thing doesn't appeal to me at all. I used to think that's how it was and I would do it, but I won't do it anymore. I turn down everything that comes along like that. So, the only thing you can rely on are those who have worked with you and know that you are consistent, talented and reliable, and maybe they're friends of yours and are willing to put you to work so you don't end up in the welfare line." (from a 1978 interview)



"None. None of them! I don't want to be remembered for any of them because I don't like any of them. I'm not proud of any of them. I am still waiting for the one role I will have pride in and want to be associated with down the years." (on the role he would most like to be known for playing)



"Well and that's what everybody remembers...it's going to be remembered a long time, whether I like it or not and I think there's some things about it I like." (when asked in a 1972 television interview about being remembered about his most famous role as Lurch in "The Addams Family")

