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John Astin
Actor
About This Interview
In this three-and-a-half-hour interview, John Astin talks about his childhood and how an early experience seeing a production of "Our Town" made him to decide to become an actor. He recalls moving to Los Angeles and appearing on the westerns Gunsmoke and Maverick. He describes being cast as "Harry Dickens" alongside Marty Ingels on I'm Dickens... He's Fenster. Astin outlines his time as "Gomez Addams" on The Addams Family, discussing how he got the role, his fellow castmates, and the longevity of the show in reruns over the years. He recalls transitioning from acting to directing with his Academy Award nominated short-film "Prelude," as well as directing several episodes of Rod Serling's Night Gallery and CHiPs. He concludes by discussing his stint on Night Court, his philosophy of acting, and how he'd like to be remembered. Jenni Matz conducted the interview on December 20, 2015 in Baltimore, MD.
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Highlights
John Astin on making The Addams Family work and on the romance between "Gomez Addams" and "Morticia Addams"
Clip begins at: 44:00, Duration: 05m 11s- John Astin on working with Marty Ingels on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster and on writer Mel Tolkin
Clip begins at: 26:04, Duration: 03m 27s 
John Astin on his earliest television appearances including Robert Montgomery Presents, and on appearing on live television
Clip begins at: 01:00:33, Duration: 05m 34s
John Astin on appearing on Night Court and on his philosophy of acting
Clip begins at: 38:34, Duration: 03m 58s- John Astin on what he wishes he'd known as a beginning actor and director
Clip begins at: 46:48, Duration: 05m 01s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his early life and influences; on radio he listened to growing up and going to baseball games; on the first time he saw television and early television shows he enjoyed, and on his early interest in music
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On his education; on becoming inspired to get into the theater; on transferring to a school with a theater program and deciding to become an actor
Clip begins at: 16:29 - On his theatrical education; on his method of acting
Clip begins at: 31:03 - On his early years as an actor in New York City; on starting to make a living as an actor and appearing in "The Three Penny Opera" in New York; on his earliest television appearances and appearing on live television
Clip begins at: 47:30 - Part 2
- On moving to Los Angeles; on appearing on Maverick
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On being cast on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster; on his character, "Harry Dickens," on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster and on the slapstick of the show; on working with Marty Ingels on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster; on why the show was short lived
Clip begins at: 14:11 - On being cast on The Addams Family; on making The Addams Family work; on casting The Addams Family, including Ted Cassidy as "Lurch"
Clip begins at: 33:57 - On working with Carolyn Jones as "Morticia Addams" on The Addams Family; on his character, "Gomez Addams," on The Addams Family; on the on-going popularity of the show; on the theme song and opening credits of the show and on the revivals and legacy of the show
Clip begins at: 50:35 - Part 3
- On directing the short film "Prelude" and what attracted him to being a director
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On directing and appearing on Night Gallery for Rod Serling; on directing CHiPs
Clip begins at: 08:16 - On his directing style; on his influences as a director and actor; on Night Court; on his philosophy of acting
Clip begins at: 27:39 - On teaching acting and his love of film; on what he wishes he'd known as a beginning actor and director
Clip begins at: 42:34 - On his children becoming actors; on his longevity in the industry and his favorite projects; on his then-future plans and how he'd like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 51:50
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