John Astin is an actor and director known for his high energy and suaveness that was shown to perfection in the classic sitcom, The Addams Family. As the talented actor celebrates his 93rd birthday, Scoop takes a look back at his long career.

From 1964 to 1966, Astin played Gomez Addams, the family patriarch in The Addams Family. His portrayal became the blueprint for the character: passionate romantic feelings for his wife, constant encouragement for his kids, an unfailing cheery outlook for anything gothic, and enthusiasm for whatever crossed their home’s threshold.

Astin would return to playing Gomez several times, including in Halloween with the New Addams Family, and voicing the character for The New Scooby-Doo Movies and The Addams Family animated series. He also played Grandpapa Addams in The New Addams Family sitcom in the ‘90s.

He was born on March 30, 1930, in Baltimore, Maryland. Initially Astin studied mathematics at Johns Hopkins University, but getting a part in the school play ignited his love for acting. He studied drama at the University of Minnesota, then he moved to New York and worked as a janitor while auditioning for plays. Astin appeared in off-Broadway productions of The Threepenny Opera and Major Barbara.

His onscreen career began on the TV series Studio One, then he had supporting roles in The Twilight Zone and 77 Sunset Strip. Astin had a small part in West Side Story as the dance host who tries to keep the Jets and Sharks in line, was in an episode of Star Trek, and played the Riddler in the Batman TV series after Frank Gorshin vacated the role. He starred in the TV movie Evil Roy Slade, a few episodes of Night Gallery, and the movie Wacky Taxi.

Astin starred in the World War II set sitcom Operation Petticoat in the late ‘70s and voiced several characters in the animated series Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels. He was the game show host in National Lampoon’s European Vacation and played a theater critic in Mary Tyler Moore’s Mary. He was Harry Anderson’s father in Night Court, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Return of the Killer Tomatoes, its sequels, and the animated series.

Later in his career, Astin had a recurring role in Eerie, Indiana, played an inventor on The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., and he was a ghost of a gunslinger in The Frighteners. He loaned his voice to The Wild Thornberrys TV series, Recess, and Justice League Action.

Astin made his directorial debut with the short film Prelude, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Short Film. He starred in the touring production of the one-man show, Edgar Allan Poe: Once Upon a Midnight. He also worked as visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University, teaching method acting and directing.