Actor. He will be best remembered for playing Pugsley Addams on the original 'The Addams Family' television series during the 1960s. He came from a theatrical family; his aunt was Ruby Keeler, his brother, Joey Viera, is an actor who played Porky on the first three seasons of 'Lassie'. Weatherwax got his start in show biz in Gleem Toothpaste commercials as a child called Chester and had a role on 'Wagon Train' before he was chosen to play the son of Gomez and Morticia Addams on the now classic TV series which premiered in 1964 and ran for two seasons. He reprised the role of Pugsley in several versions of the series and was the voice of Pugsley in the 1973 animated version and in 1977, provided the voice of Pugsley again in 'The All New Addams Family Halloween' cartoon special. Unable to find acting work after the TV series ended, he returned to public school and endured mocking from other students, which he reacted too negatively. He was kicked out of several schools and enlisted in the army at age 17. He later found steady, productive work building sets for films. As an adult, he was happy to be recognized by fans and would appear at autograph shows regularly and in 'Addams Family' tribute shows and reunions. He has also been interviewed in documentaries about the series and about TV during the sixties. Weatherwax died in his sleep at age 59 of natural causes.
Actor. He will be best remembered for playing Pugsley Addams on the original 'The Addams Family' television series during the 1960s. He came from a theatrical family; his aunt was Ruby Keeler, his brother, Joey Viera, is an actor who played Porky on the first three seasons of 'Lassie'. Weatherwax got his start in show biz in Gleem Toothpaste commercials as a child called Chester and had a role on 'Wagon Train' before he was chosen to play the son of Gomez and Morticia Addams on the now classic TV series which premiered in 1964 and ran for two seasons. He reprised the role of Pugsley in several versions of the series and was the voice of Pugsley in the 1973 animated version and in 1977, provided the voice of Pugsley again in 'The All New Addams Family Halloween' cartoon special. Unable to find acting work after the TV series ended, he returned to public school and endured mocking from other students, which he reacted too negatively. He was kicked out of several schools and enlisted in the army at age 17. He later found steady, productive work building sets for films. As an adult, he was happy to be recognized by fans and would appear at autograph shows regularly and in 'Addams Family' tribute shows and reunions. He has also been interviewed in documentaries about the series and about TV during the sixties. Weatherwax died in his sleep at age 59 of natural causes.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
Inscription
KEN WEATHERWAX
1955 — 2014
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Weatherwax memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
