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The Kid is UNCLE FESTER FROM THE ADDAM'S FAMILY

posted 12 years ago by TheAntiJohn
9 replies | jump to latest

The kid who plays Charlie's son in this movie, grows up to play UNCLE FESTER from THE ADDAMS'S FAMILY show from the 60's. i didn't know that, and when I found out, it BLEW MY MIND APART!!! When I read the kid was played by Jackie Coogan, I knew his name sounded familiar, it was only after checking his IMDB that I found out that he was Uncle Fester. ISN'T THAT CRAAAAZY???!!! What are the odds???

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] vinidici 12 years ago

Yep, Coogan, like all child actors, eventually outgrew his cuteness and work became hard to come by. But as he entered middle age and started balding, he found work in playing supporting characters and villains. But The Addams Family is definitely the vehicle that made Jackie Coogan a household name again.

I read somewhere that, as Coogan recalled the events and when Chaplin made his final visit to the States in 1972 (to accept a special Oscar from the Academy), he met Coogan again and was shocked at how much Coogan had changed from the little boy who had co-starred with him in at least two film projects (including "The Kid.") But Chaplin couldn't get over Coogan having obtained a rotund figure in his middle age, and, during their reunion chat, Chaplin made several untactful remarks to Coogan about his weight.

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[–] TheAntiJohn 12 years ago

I remember hearing about that in The Life And Art of Charlie Chaplin. I also remember something like, Charlie recognizing Coogan immediately despite not seeing him for decades and I think he said something like, "If there was anyone I wanted to see tonight, I'd want it to be you." or something like that because I also remember him not even wanting to go to the event, and only went because he had some business to do in America. Anyway, I'd like to think that Charlie always treasured his relationship with Coogan. Very touching.

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[–] vinidici 12 years ago

It seems likely that Chaplin "recognized Coogan immediately" because he had already seen some pictures with the adult Coogan in them and probably even The Addams Family.

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[–] vinidici 12 years ago

And the reason I think Chaplin had seen The Addams Family is because someone in Chaplin's circle of acquaintences would surely have informed him that Coogan, his child co-star, was now working on the popular TV sitcom.

[–] jtyroler 12 years ago

What are the odds of Uncle Fester being married to Betty Grable?

[–] LukeLovesFilm28 11 years ago

I know, right?

What an amazing, talented little sh!t he was, even for a 4 year old.

[–] crlnrgbrght5 11 years ago

And He was an adorable little tyke.

[–] Ed in MO 9 years ago

The story is that Chaplin saw Coogan again in 1972 when he came back to Los Angeles for his honorary Oscar. Chaplin immediately recognized Coogan despite the passage of fifty years and Coogan's gain of 200 pounds, said that Coogan was the person he was happiest to see on his visit to L.A., and then told Coogan's wife that, "You must never forget that you are married to a genius."