John Astin's Net Worth and Career Highlights
John Astin is an acclaimed American actor with a net worth of $6 million. He is widely recognized for his role as Gomez Addams on the ABC sitcom The Addams Family. His notable film credits include West Side Story, Freaky Friday, National Lampoon's European Vacation, and The Frighteners. Astin was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short for his 1968 comedy short Prelude.
From 1964 to 1966, Astin starred as Gomez Addams, a pivotal role that he reprised in various formats, including the 1992-1993 animated remake and as Grandpapa Addams in the 1998 series The New Addams Family.
Outside of The Addams Family, Astin was featured in popular TV series including Batman as The Riddler, Murder, She Wrote, and had a recurring role on the 1980s sitcom Night Court. His voice acting as Uncle Gomez in the cartoon version of The Addams Family earned him an Emmy nomination, and his directorial work on the film Prelude garnered an Academy nomination.
Early Life and Education
Born on March 30, 1930, in Baltimore, Maryland, John Astin's early life was shaped in Bethesda. His parents were Margaret and Allen, a director at the National Bureau of Standards. Astin began his higher education at Washington & Jefferson College majoring in math, and later transferred to Johns Hopkins University where he studied drama, graduating in 1952.
Television Career
Astin's television debut came in the early 60s. His first significant role was in the Western series Maverick, followed by appearances in The Twilight Zone, 77 Sunset Strip, and Ben Casey. His first major role was Harry Dickens on the ABC sitcom I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, alongside Marty Ingels.
Following the cancellation of I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, Astin's iconic portrayal of Gomez Addams in The Addams Family began. His role as Angus Pruitt in The Pruitts of Southampton and as The Riddler in Batman furthered his career in the 60s. He also made guest appearances on shows like The Wild Wild West, The Flying Nun, Gunsmoke, Death Valley Days, and Bonanza.
The early 70s saw Astin in The Odd Couple, Night Gallery, Insight, McMillan & Wife, and The Partridge Family. He starred in the TV films Evil Roy Slade, Only with Married Men, and The Dream Makers. Astin had a recurring role in Welcome Back, Kotter and played Lieutenant Commander Matthew Sherman on Operation Petticoat. Other credits from the 70s include Police Story, The Love Boat, and Fantasy Island. He reprised his role as Gomez Addams in Halloween with the New Addams Family.
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Continued Success in Television
The 80s brought roles in shows such as Diff'rent Strokes, Murder, She Wrote, Night Court, and Simon & Simon. Astin had a main role in the CBS sitcom Mary with Mary Tyler Moore. In the 90s, he voiced Dr. Putrid T. Gangreen in Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, with recurring roles in Eerie Indiana and Taz-Mania. He reprised his role as Gomez Addams in the 1992 animated The Addams Family, and starred as Professor Wickwire on The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
Throughout the 90s, Astin lent his voice to numerous animated series such as Problem Child, Duckman, Aladdin, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat, Quack Pack, Johnny Bravo, Pinky and the Brain, and Recess. He also appeared in live-action roles on Burke's Law, Mad About You, Step by Step, The Nanny, and Homeboys in Outer Space. The 2000s saw fewer roles, but he appeared in The Strip, Becker, As Told by Ginger, and Higglytown Heroes. Notably, he voiced Uncle Dudley in Justice League Action in 2017.
Film Career
Astin's film career began with the 1960 crime film The Pusher. He had a bit part in West Side Story followed by roles in comedy films like That Touch of Mink, Move Over, Darling, The Wheeler Dealers, Candy, Viva Max!, and Bunny O'Hare. His comedic short film Prelude was nominated for an Academy Award in 1968.
In the 70s, he appeared in Get to Know Your Rabbit, Every Little Crook and Nanny, The Brothers O'Toole, and Freaky Friday. Throughout the 80s, his notable roles were in National Lampoon's European Vacation, Teen Wolf Too, and Body Slam. He also featured in horror-comedies such as Return of the Killer Tomatoes and Night Life. The 90s saw him in more Killer Tomatoes sequels, and Peter Jackson's 1996 supernatural horror-comedy The Frighteners.
Personal Life and Later Years
In 1956, Astin married Suzanne Hahn and had three sons: David, Tom, and Allen; they divorced in 1972. He then married actress Patty Duke and had a son, Mackenzie. He also adopted Duke’s son, actor Sean Astin. Astin and Duke divorced in 1985. In 1989, he married Valerie Sandobal, and they reside in Baltimore, Maryland.
Since 2001, John Astin has been teaching at Johns Hopkins University as the director of the Theater Arts and Studies Department and is also the Homewood Professor of the Arts.
