R.I.P. Lisa Loring, the original Wednesday from The Addams Family

Loring took over the grim role of Wednesday Addams when she was just 6 years old, three years after her child modeling career began.

On Now
MeTV Presents the Best of Wednesday Addams
Up Next:

Lisa Loring, famed child actress best known for playing Wednesday, the original daughter to Morticia and Gomez Addams on The Addams Family, has died at the age of 64. 

According to CNN, Loring died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023 "surrounded by her family," said Loring's longtime agent Chris Carabaugh. 

Known for her straight face, pigtails and for toting around her headless doll, the character of Wednesday Addams became a very popular one during the two seasons in which The Addams Family was on the air, and has remained a popular character in the decades since.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Loring was born as Lisa Ann DeCinces in February of 1958. Following her parents divorce, she lived with her mother in Los Angeles and was given the stage name of Lisa Loring. She began modeling at age 3. 

Loring took over the one-of-a-kind role on The Addams Family when she was just 6 years old, and portrayed her grim character of Wednesday in a way that perfectly fit the theme of the horror-comedy series. Loring would later tell the press that she "learned to memorize before I could read," to keep her lines straight, per THR

Most of the original cast from The Addams Family, including Loring, returned to their morbid roles for the 1977 TV movie Halloween With the New Addams Family. John Astin, The Addams Family patriarch Gomez Addams, is now the last surviving member of the original cast of the 1964 series. 

Following her role in The Addams Family, Loring appeared in an episode of The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. After, her career took a break until the reunion TV movie with most of the Addams Family cast. Loring appeared in an episode of Fantasy Island and a pair of episodes of Barnaby Jones to close out the Seventies. She also landed a recurring role as Cricket Montgomery in As the World Turns

In the late Eighties, she showed up in slasher films Blood Frenzy, Savage Harbor and Iced

Loring will always be best known for her role of Wednesday Addams, an all-time classic television character that has remained relevant for nearly 60 years.

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

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
Close

18 Comments

Michaeljscheibn 2 months ago
Her dance lesson with Lurch is epic.
Deleted 13 months ago
This comment has been removed.
ItalGal68 13 months ago
I was hoping they would do an hour tribute this past Sunday on MeTV. They did 2 hours for Cindy Williams. Maybe Wednesday would be a better day to do a tribute! RIP Lisa, you always made me feel "gloomy" good!
vinman63 13 months ago
John Astin is the sole survivor. They should put the Munsters and the Addams family on Sunday morning and get rid of Zack Morris and the other clowns by the bell.
Deleted 13 months ago
This comment has been removed.
CaptainDunsel 13 months ago
Mostly Ted Cassidy, unless the scene called for Thing and Lurch to appear together.
Deleted 13 months ago
This comment has been removed.
NightVelvet 13 months ago
Recently bought the entire original series on my iPod for $9.99 love the Addams family ... I want a romance like Morticia & Gomez
harlow1313 13 months ago
Dark Shadows, Th Munsters, and The Addams Family spooked up the sixties in a most enjoyable way.
Runeshaper 13 months ago
R.I.P. Lisa Loring. Such an excellent Wednesday ❤️🙏
Sway 13 months ago
R.I.P. Lisa Loring. 🕊 Always enjoyed the Wednesday character she played so well.
DethBiz 13 months ago
RIP Lisa Loring. Thanks for the SPOOKY good memories!
BrittReid 13 months ago
Adored Wednesday Addams. Lisa Loring owned that role. Her facial expressions, and lines given were priceless. A sad day indeed. R.I.P. You will be missed, but Wednesday will live on forever. You made us laugh every time you appeared.
Peter_Falk_Fan 13 months ago
I was shocked to hear this. It makes me sad. Her iconic role as Wednesday Addams will live on.

Thanks and R.I.P. Lisa Loring
cperrynaples 13 months ago
SAD! This means John Astin [Gomez] is the last survivor of TAF!
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?