Lisa Loring, best known for playing Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family sitcom, has ed away at the age of 64. Loring portrayed the character throughout the show’s run from 1964 to 1966, and reprised the role in the 1977 television movie Halloween with the New Addams Family. She is also known for her recurring roles in Barnaby Jones and As The World Turns and has starred in a number of ’80s slashers such as Blood Frenzy, Iced, and Savage Harbor. Her final role was in the horror comedy Doctor Spine, which was released in 2015. The actor is survived by her daughters, Marianne and Vanessa, and grandchildren, Emiliana and Charles.
The Guardian has confirmed that Loring died at 65 after suffering from a stroke and three days on life , surrounded by family and friends. Loring’s close friend, author Laurie Jacobson, explained in a Facebook post that the stroke was brought on by high blood pressure and smoking.
She went on to pay tribute to Loring’s legacy, “embedded in the tapestry that is pop culture,” especially through her iconic portrayal of the Addams Family daughter. To those who knew her more intimately, the author describes Loring as “a wealth of humor, affection and love.”
Lisa Loring's Addams Family Performance Set Standard For An Enduring Character
Loring was only 5 years old when she started her stint as Wednesday Addams in the first live-action adaptation of The Addams Family. With her gothic demeanor represented by her iconic braided pigtails, white-collared black dress, and black shoes, Loring’s Wednesday set the tone for all future Wednesdays to come. She notably kept bizarre pets — a black widow spider named Homer and a lizard named Lucifer — and played with a headless doll ironically named Marie Antoinette. Though outwardly seemingly delicate and adorable, the sitcom’s version of Wednesday is deceptively strong, at one point even taking her father down with a judo hold.
Loring’s Wednesday contrasts with other depictions, which typically characterize her as much more macabre and sadistic, as seen in 1991’s The Addams Family live-action movie. In addition, she’s the youngest member of her family, whereas in later adaptations, she is typically Pugley’s older sister. However, many elements of Loring’s version have made their way to Wednesday, the 2022 record-breaking Netflix hit series centered around the character, portrayed by Jenna Ortega. Ortega’s Wednesday is more of an anti-hero, who ultimately seeks to solve the mystery of the serial local murders and prevent Nevermore Academy’s downfall. Though she would profess that this isn’t the case, her actions are in line with the greater good — reflective of her predecessor’s tendency to be sweet and benevolent. In addition, Ortega’s Wednesday is skilled in combat — fencing, archery, hand-to-hand — again a tribute to Loring’s depiction of an unexpectedly strong force to be reckoned with.
Ortega has also outright credited Loring for the character’s angular movements, which inspired her famous Tik-Tok-dance on Wednesday. The Addams Family sitcom was just the beginning of a number of adaptations of its iconic, comic-derived characters. Loring’s unique take especially stands out — and will likely be referenced more as Wednesday’s future is solidified with a season 2. As Jacobson suggests, Loring’s memory is long imprinted in the entertainment industry, and her legacy will live on. With stints as a writer and make-up artist showing her versatility in the industry, Loring’s work as an actor may be most ed, but what’s clear is that she will be sincerely missed.
Source: The Guardian