Lisa Loring, original Wednesday Addams star, dies aged 64
Lisa Loring, who is best known for playing Wednesday Addams in the original TV adaptation of The Addams Family, has died aged 64.
The actor passed away on Saturday night (January 28) at St Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California.
Her daughter Vanessa Foumberg told Hollywood Reporter that she died due to complications from a stroke caused by high blood pressure.
Foumberg told the outlet: “She went peacefully with both her daughters [Vanessa and Marianne] holding her hands.”
Loring’s close friend Laurie Jacobson also confirmed her death on Facebook, and paid tribute to the star, writing “she is embedded in the tapestry that is pop culture and in our hearts always as Wednesday Addams.”
Adding: “Beautiful, kind, a loving mother, Lisa’s legacy in the world of entertainment is huge. And the legacy for her family and friends – a wealth of humour, affection and love – will long play in our memories.
“RIP, Lisa. Damn, girl… you were a ton of fun.”
Loring is best known for playing the pigtail-wearing, death-obsessed Wednesday in the live-action adaptation of Charles Addams’ New Yorker cartoons on ABC.
She was cast in the role at six years old and played the character for 64 episodes from 1964 to 1966.
Following her appearance as Wednesday, she went on to star in The Pruitts of Southampton, The Girl From UNCLE, Fantasy Island, Barnaby Jones and As the World Turns.
Recently, Jenna Ortega, who plays the morbid teen in Netflix’s hit series Wednesday, said her performance was inspired by Loring’s turn as the Addams Family character and referenced her dance in her own scenes.
She said on The Tonight Show: “I knew there were certain things I wanted to do. I paid homage to Lisa Loring, the first Wednesday Addams.
“I did a little bit of her shuffle that she does. Of course, they cut out of camera when I did do it, but it’s there. I know it is”.
Loring is survived by two daughters, Marianne and Vanessa, as well as her grandchildren Emiliana and Charles.
