Ted Cassidy Was Awesome - Learn Stuff

I know him from his numerous appearances on Star Trek, but you probably know him as Lurch from The Addams Family. Ted Cassidy has done a lot, and he only lived to be 46.

Theodore Crawford Cassidy was born in Pittsburgh back in 1932. He spent his youth in West Virginia, went to college in Florida, and ended up in Texas. That`s just the beginning.

During his time in The Lone Star State, Cassidy worked for a radio station (no surprise there, his voice was great) and was one of the first to interview eyewitnesses to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Being multi-talented and 6`9\" tall, he eventually found himself in Hollywood. During the 1960`s he was on Star Trek as the android Ruk, the voice of Balok (opposite Clint Howard when he was just a kid), and the Gorn who fought Kirk in Arena.

Most people, however, would recognize him as Lurch from The Addams Family, a character he portrayed throughout the show`s run, as well as animated adaptations such as Scooby-Doo.

Cassidy had many television and film credits, appearing on Lost In Space, Batman, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Incredible Hulk and also as Tarzan - not to mention his numerous voiceover work.

Unfortunately, Ted Cassidy passed away in 1979 due to complications from heart surgery at the age of 46.

The role of Lurch for the 1990`s movies was taken over by 7` tall Dutch actor Carel Struycken. Coincidentally, Struycken is also a Star Trek alumnus. He appeared on The Next Generation five times as Mr. Homn, as well as a single episode of Voyager. I could have sworn he was also on Deep Space Nine, but I guess not.