Lisa Loring, Original Wednesday On ‘The Addams Family,’ Dead At 64

Lisa Loring, who originated the role of Wednesday Addams on the classic 1960s sitcom “The Addams Family,” died on Saturday after suffering a “massive stroke.” She was 64 years-old. 

Loring Passes Away

Daily Mail reported that Loring’s death was revealed to the world by her close friend Laure Jacobson, who said that the actress was taken off life support on January 28.

“It is with great sadness that I report the death of our friend, Lisa Loring,” Jacobson wrote on Facebook. “4 Days ago she suffered a massive stroke brought on by smoking and high blood pressure.”

“She had been on life support for 3 days,” she added. “Yesterday, her family made the difficult decision to remove it and she passed last night.”

Jacobson went on to say that Loring “is embedded in the tapestry that is pop culture and in our hearts always as Wednesday Addams.”

“Beautiful, kind, a loving mother, Lisa’s legacy in the world of entertainment is huge,” she continued. “And the legacy for her family and friends — a wealth of humor, affection and love will long play in our memories. RIP, Lisa. Damn, girl…you were a ton of fun.”

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Loring’s Passing Is Confirmed 

Loring’s daughter Vanessa Foumberg confirmed her passing, telling Entertainment Tonight that “she went peacefully with both her daughters holding her hands.”

Loring’s longtime agent Chris Carbaugh told CNN that she “passed away on Saturday surrounded by her family.”

“She brought to life one of the most iconic characters in Hollywood history that is still celebrated today,” he added. “Lisa loved sharing her memories and meeting all her fans across the world. She will be missed dearly.”

Born in the Marshall Islands to a Naval family, Loring moved to Los Angeles when she was 3 years-old, and she quickly began modeling. She was only 6 years-old when she was cast as Wednesday on “The Addams Family,” which ran from 1964 until 1966. Loring would later reunite with the original cast in 1977 for NBC’s TV movie “Halloween With the New Addams Family.”

There has been a renewed fascination in the character of Wednesday Addams as of late thanks to the hugely successful Netflix show “Wednesday,” which premiered in November and sees Jenna Ortega portray the role that Loring originated decades ago. 

“I paid homage to Lisa Loring, the first Wednesday Addams,” Ortega said last month. “I did a little bit of her shuffle that she does.” 

Watch Ortega talk more about this in the video below. 

Other acting credits of Loring’s include “The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.,” “Fantasy Island” and “Barnaby Jones.” She was married four times, and is survived by two daughters. 

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Last Surviving ‘Addams Family’ Cast Member

In the wake of Loring’s death, John Astin is the last survivor of the original cast of “The Addams Family,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. He is set to turn 93 in March, and his IMDB page states that he is still acting to this day with 158 film and television credits to his name. 

Loring made Wednesday an iconic character that is more relevant today than ever before. It’s sad that she was taken from us far too soon, and please join us in saying a prayer for her family during this difficult time.