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Ken Weatherwax

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Ken Weatherwax
Weatherwax as Pugsley Addams, 1964
Born
Kenneth Patrick Weatherwax

(1955-09-29)September 29, 1955
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedDecember 7, 2014(2014-12-07) (aged 59)
West Hills, California, U.S.
Cause of deathHeart attack
OccupationActor
Years active1964–1977

Kenneth Patrick Weatherwax (September 29, 1955 – December 7, 2014) was an American child actor. Billed as Ken and nicknamed Kenny, Weatherwax was best known for having played Pugsley Addams on the original The Addams Family black-and-white television series and reprised the role in the television movie Halloween with the New Addams Family.

Biography

Weatherwax, who was born in Los Angeles, California, played Pugsley Addams on the original The Addams Family television series. After The Addams Family was canceled, Weatherwax found it difficult to get work in Hollywood (a common occurrence for child actors) and was typecast as Pugsley well into his teens. At 17, Weatherwax entered the U.S. Army.[1]

Ken got his start in show biz in early in the 1960s with Gleem Toothpaste commercials as a child called Chester.[2]

Weatherwax worked behind the camera as a movie studio grip and set builder after his acting career ended. He also made appearances at Addams Family-related events.[3]

Weatherwax died on December 7, 2014, of a heart attack at his home in West Hills, California, at the age of 59.[4]

Personal

His aunt was actress and dancer Ruby Keeler. His half-brother, Joey D. Vieira, also known as Donald Keeler, played "Porky" on the first three seasons of TV's Lassie, beginning in 1954. Frank and Rudd Weatherwax, Lassie's trainers, and owners of the first dog to play the role, were Ken's uncles.[5]

References

  1. ^ Barnes, Mike (December 8, 2014). "Ken Weatherwax, Who Played Pugsley on TV's 'Addams Family,' Dies at 59". The Hollywood Reporter. ISSN 0018-3660.
  2. ^ Ken Weatherwax biography, TV.com
  3. ^ "Ken Weatherwax, Pugsley on 'The Addams Family', Dies at 59". Variety. December 8, 2014. ISSN 0042-2738.
  4. ^ Parker, Ryan (8 December 2014). "'The Addams Family' star Ken Weatherwax dead at 59". Los Angeles Times.
  5. ^ "Ken Weatherwax, Pugsley on 'The Addams Family', Dies at 59". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 9, 2014.
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