The Life of Ted Cassidy Lurch from Addams Family to Star Trek to The Incredible Hulk 

Thanks!

Ted Cassidy to my knowledge, has never gotten such a detailed in-depth synopsis of his acting career, you've done his legacy proud. I think anyone who watched the Addams family was intrigued by his character, and curious as to whether Ted could lead a "normal" life. I thank you for including him in your series!

I was 6" 7" in high-school back in the 70's and I was called Lurch a few times. Now I feel a whole lot better about that. I was in good company being compared to him. Great man and a great documentary of his life and accomplishments. Well done!

To find out that Lurch narrated for the Incredible Hulk is simply mind blowing. What a talented voice actor! Great stuff!

Out of all the Addam Family T.V. shows and movie franchises, Ted Cassidy was and still is my favorite Lurch character. His rendition of Lurch was so human and he added so many levels to his character in everything he did on the show. It's great to know that despite his height that his talent was recognized, as well as his versatility in so many genres and aspects of show business. I miss him! Thank you so much for this Memorium of actor Ted Cassidy, it was greatly appreciated!.😇♥

No one could have EVER played Lurch like him. He owned this role totally.

Many decades ago, I attended a Star Trek convention where he was a featured speaker. During his session, his girlfriend at the time, sat on his knee. She looked like a child by comparison. The next morning, they ate breakfast in the same coffee shop that I did. When he sat in the booth behind me, the entire row of seats shook. And that voice was no put on. It was like hearing Gabriel's horn on judgment day.

Always loved the Addams Family. Didn’t realize his voice was everywhere!! Thanks for the history lesson. You could tell he was a kind person. RIP Lurch. ❤️❤️

My mother attended Stetson University and was in drama studies along with Ted. She always said that he was one of the kindest men she'd ever met, and a truly gentle-at-heart person. One of his basketball team photos in the Stetson "Hatter" annual is of him in his b-ball uniform in a slight crouch, arms outstretched, overhand-palming a basketball in each massive hand!

The trained radio announcers/voice over actors of his day could really modulate their voices and alter the timbre and pitch like finely tuned musical instruments. Ted was among the best. Quite a talent!

I don't usually comment on these things, but I must tell that you did my heart good. What a wonderful rendition and presentation of a man's life. Well done, especially since he was well deserving of the detail that you gave him. God bless you.

God Bless him - I had not realized just how diverse his career was - Thanks for bringing this all together for us all

Ted was a wonderful human being too. Just wish we didn't lose him so early. R.I.P Ted Cassidy.

This man used his abilities to his advantage and always kept a job.

Absolutely fascinating! Could not have guessed how intelligent and accomplished he was.

The best part about his life is the respect you just paid to it. Very well done.

I grew up in the 1970s and a lot of my friends and myself recognized his voice on cartoon shows or tv commercials but we only joked that it was Lurch from the Adams family. I myself merely thought it was someone that sounded similar. Now that I've watched your video, it's nice to know more about him since he was literally in our homes on a daily basis. He was a gem of a human for sure.

Severely underutilized, great actor and brilliant person. To short a season, and remembered so well! Rest in Peace, and greatness, Mr. Cassidy.

I must've heard his voice a thousand times, being a child of the sixties & seventies, & never recognized it. Great bio.

It's quite amazing how talented that man was. I can tell you are a real fan by the way you speak of his life. You did him justice

I had no idea whatsoever that Ted was involved in so many many wonderful shows? Love this. Going to share it.

I hope someone show's this to his kids/grandkids so they can see that many of us loved watching this talented man. What an iconic voice!

My dad was an actor/stand in/stunt double and introduced me on a set when I was 4. He came flying down a stair case in a black cape; bent down and said "hello little girl" and took my hand. He told my dad; my eyes were like saucers. Great memory; that left an impact decades later. Nice to have more of his back story.

Wow, his commercial voices. I'm blown away at the difference from lurches and his real voice ! Loved watching all those classic shows back then with my brother.

Wow , even though he died at 46 he sure did have a big career & done so many things.I was unaware of all the voice overs , commercials & even being a radio host not to mention the movies . Long live Lurch.

His role in Star Trek as Ruk in "What Are Little Girls Made Of" is terrifying. When he pursues Kirk through the caverns was classic!

His portrayal of Lurch was pure perfection. I never knew how talented he was. May he rest in peace 🙏

Cool classics indeed!! I learned more about Mr. Cassidy than I ever knew. He was a beloved actor and I hope he knew thst his fans loved him. I was heartbroken about his childhood isolation, his first wife and health problems. I knew he died young but man, it still stings to hear it again. Rest in Peace, gentle giant🙏🏽.

Such a gorgeous voice! And a wonderful face. He has so much more talent than most. Similar to herman, he is misrepresented. Love him so much!

It is so pleasing to see that tall actors like Ted Cassidy, Fred Gwynne and Richard Kiel continue to get admiration and respect after all these years.

Ted Cassidy Was An Extremely Gifted, Talented & Versatile Man.....Rest In Peace, Ted👑.......

RIP Ted. Thank you for all you have done and all the childhoods of the millions of children, and adults you entertained. I know you did me. Love sent to you.

WOW ... What such an interesting man Ted Cassidy was! I am 58 years of age, and I grew up with absolutely everything that he has been an actor in. I remember rushing home from school to watch the ADAMS FAMILY on TV. I am a great fan of THE ADAMS FAMILY [to name just one old time comedy series]. I had no idea that Ted did radio work in his career nor, some of the voice-overs to so many cartoons that I used to watch as well. Thank you SO MUCH for researching, compiling, creating and posting this clip. It brought back so many memories for me. He did so much with his life, and I feel that it was so sad that he passed away as such a young man of only 46 years old. DM.

Also Ted Cassidy was at 6' 9" tall, super-smart, athletic, powerful, really versatile as the 'Adams Family' butler 'Lurch.' His TV opposition was 6' 5" Fred Gwynne of the 'Munsters', a graduate of Adams College at Harvard University. How little TV teaches us of their Humanity. Respect to both gentlemen, and the rich humanity they intelligently lent to their roles as entertainers. Thank you.

I’m glad that you gave Ted Cassidy some recognition as a multi-talented performer. Your children inherited your brains since they’re lawyers., Rest In Peace Mr. Cassidy.

I M so glad I watched this ! He was an amazing man. Being tall shouldn't be such a problem. He was a nice looking man and very talented. For such a short life he had a full life!! Bravo to an amazing human being!!!

I loved Lurch as a kid while growing up. Glad I was able to learn more about the actor Ted Cassidy who played him.

What a wonderful man and actor. May his dear soul Rest In Peace.

What a wonderful tribute, to such a well loved actor; You have given him the respect he truly deserves xX

I had no idea that Ted had done all those roles and voiceovers. I knew he had done the Butch Cassidy movie and was in the Star Trek episode but man what a career. RIP Ted.

Cassidy's Lurch is one of the all-time great TV performances imo !

Grew up in the 80s, watching reruns of Addam's Family, thought Lurch had the coolest voice ever. I think it was '91 and shocked when I found out he had died before I was born. Just imagine if he had been alive long enough to see comic-con!

I am so surprised to learn about his versatility. I thought he was just Lurch. He was so much more and I am so impressed. I'm a new big fan. Thanks for this video.

I never heard anyone with such a deep voice as his and with it so distinct I've been noticing any voices he has done right off the bat. I'm tall too at 6'6" but I can't get my voice as low as his. Truly a one of a kind.

He was an awesome man, thank you for enlightening us on how cool he was. Because of this video, I just ordered the complete Adams Family series on DVD.

This is an outstanding tribute to Mr. TED CASSIDY! Ted was an amazing scholar, athlete, actor, voice talent as well as a husband/father. Rest-in-Peace Theodore Crawford Cassidy.

I always thought Ted Cassidy would have made a wonderful James Bond villain , just like the Jaws character. So sad he died far too young, Life is not always fair....

One of the most unexpectedly interesting and surprisingly good videos I've seen on RU-vid. Adams Family was one of my favourite shows as a kid. The clip from Butch Cassidy showed he was a pretty competent actor. Shame he died so young. Thank you.

What fascinates me is that he played so many different parts. He did not let them pusch him into one Genre and that's that!... the sunbronzed style is such a contrast to the Lurch- Makeup. He was a real actor!!!!

One thing can be said about Ted Cassidy, without fear of being wrong: he is unforgettable. In my childhood I adored that gentle giant, Lurch, and recognized him when he appeared on other TV series. Here's a little tribute to a great guy, and unforgettable actor.

Wow. What a fantastic bio ! I too heard many of those commercials & never thought it was him. How sad he died so young. He was awesome in every role I saw him in. RIP sir. 🙏 ❤

Ted Cassidy has always been one of my favorites. I grew up in the 70's and remember his performances. I really loved watching this.

Great Job on this. How can you not love this guy. Every time he gives that Lurch sneering grin I bust out laughing. Rest in Peace sweet Giant.

Ted was a voice over legend. Glad you gave that some time. :)

From playing Lurch, Frankenstein Jr., Godzilla, Creach, and several others Ted Casedy is a legend.

Thank you for telling us about Ted Cassidy’s life… He still has a lot of fans…and he ALWAYS will… Recognized him immediately in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”… Rest In Peace, Mr. Cassidy…🙏🏻❤️

His voice was very Recognizable I remember all those characters that he did. He was awesome and left us with some good memories. S.I.P

The way he pats Wednesday on the cheek and has a little smile is beautiful and sweet.

This segment was wonderful and insightful. Ted’s family should be proud.

I really liked his role as Ruk in Star Trek. The character didn't get a lot of lines, but the lines he had were interesting and gave some intriguing depth to the backstory of the former alien residents of the planet. Cassidy gave so much nuance to Ruk's body language and expressions that you could see what the character was thinking even when he didn't have any speaking lines.

The man is a legend. He's been in so many things I didn't know he was part of

His vocal range for those ads is really great! I enjoyed that. He was a nice looking man, with all that creepy makeup gone. Smart, athletic, musically talented! What a great catch!

Excellent. Loved him as Lurch, and was struck by how strong he was. He picked up, seemingly without effort, full-grown men. A fine actor, good life, cut short.

Another fantastic documentary!! I love him as Lurch and Thing. I was aware of his Star Trek work, along with a few other things, but there were a lot of surprises. Also, it was very cool to see the pictures, commercials, and videos from his earlier days.

What an excellent tribute to a very fine actor. I especially enjoyed hearing his early radio commercials. What a voice!

Although a fan of his since early childhood, I'd never realized just how versatile and talented Ted Cassidy actually was. With this video, you've gone a very long way, in righting a huge disservice to the memory of Ted Cassidy, the 'gentle giant' whose multi-faceted talents went on to shape the childhood memories of myself, and many others among the group which would eventually become known as 'the baby boomer generation'. Many thanks for a job well done, and more imortantly, done with kindness!

This was the best documentary about Ted that I have ever watched.

Your shows about famous people from the past are truly a "blast from the past!". Man did you stir up old memories! You took me back to the 70's and 80's when I used to sit in the living room and watch TV with my dear old Grandfather! The best years of the U.S. (in my opinion). You did such a great job at reminiscing it brought a tear to my eye thinking about my "Paw Paw" watching those old shows with Mr. Cassidy in them with me. Thank you and keep up with the good work, you are one who hasn't forgotten the human element of entertainment.

His voice was so classic! I think he's more significant as a voice actor than as an onscreen actor.

This man is a legend he should get a star in Hollywood 🤠

I always LOVE hearing his voice.

I have always been a fan of Lurch. I had no idea how many shows I watched with him in it. I probably confused his voiceovers with Fred Gwynne. Thanks for doing the video. It brought back a lot of childhood memories. It's a shame he died soo young. He was about to reboot his life with a new wife.

Ted was a very wonderful person, actor,handsome as well. It's a shame when people laughed at him because of his height .I enjoyed seeing him in whatever program. He had fans in the United States, the world 🌎over. As young as he was It's a shame that he died . We all have the wonderful memories of him,the love of Ted in our hearts. He won't be forgotten. May you rip, may God bless you, watch over you 🙏.

I always liked him as Lurch, but I never realised he did so much voice work. Both as a narrator or voicing a character. He was clearly a very talented man. Both academically and from a sporting perspective. It's sad we lost him at only 46 years old. RIP Ted, you were taken too soon.

Thank you! Ted Cassidy was always one of my favorite actors (and I *did* know that it was him in Star Trek: What Little Girls are Made of ;D). What a voice!!! I recognized his voiice in several of the shows you mentioned but I had no idea that he'd done so many voice overs. Amazing talent! I especially loved whenever he doned a mustache or beard and mustache. I remember them announcing his death in '79 (I was 17) and just feeling incredibly saddened at the loss. What an impact he made on our lives in just 46 years! RIP Ted. You're an angel to find so much information and fantastic TV & Movie clips, stills, and audio! Bless you!

So many of the characters he portrayed touched my life growing up in the 60s. Rest in peace Tes Cassidy.

You rang ! When I was a little kid in the 1960s I always watched The Addams Family, and whenever someone called me I would walk up, and say You Rang. Cassidy was the perfect Lurch. In 1965 a TV show called Shindig did a Halloween special with Ted Cassidy as Lurch and Boris Karloff. Teri Garr was a dancer on Shindig.

Ted Cassidy reprised his role as Lurch in the revival movie Hallowe’en with the New Addams Family (1977). It’s in color, so if you want to know how Lurch may have looked in color and the Batman cameo doesn’t provide enough exposure, watch it. You’ll also see all of the inaugural cast in color makeup. All but Blossom Rock, that is. Her health was in decline, and she couldn’t appear. (Jane Rose played Grandmama Addams.)

Along with Don Messick, Ted was the secret weapon of Hanna Barbera. The animation may have been cheap but the acting and vocal effects performances were top of the art and still hold up today.

According to my mom he was incredibly nice. She babysat his kids when she was a teenager and even got his autograph and a picture with him.

Fascinating... Ted was a fascinating man. Just didn't realize he was most everywhere... just every where....Ted gave us so much...

He was one of the greats, A very capable actor without the large frame . A super nice guy , never got into drugs or drinking heavy . What a loss . So sad the good ones die young .

Another great in depth dive into a man who was a lot bigger part of my child hood than I even knew! You are giving us just the right amount of clips both audio and visual. That is what distinguishes your channel from other nostalgia channels. Ted seemed like a good man and I am glad you told us his story so well!

His Lurch character still has never been topped.

I had no idea that even though I had seen quite a few shows knowing it was Ted Cassidy, I was blown away to find out how many times I had listened to him without knowing it was him. Adam Ant, come on, that was one of my favorite Hanna-Barbera cartoons, and the Hulk, I can't believe it. The Addams Family show where he had the hit song is funnier than hell. However, to find out that he is a major part of our Country's history during the association of President John F. Kennedy, I'm still spinning finding that out. Smart beyond belief, a great athlete, a voice heard more times that the chiming of Big Ben, and the butler for the Addams Family who made me piss myself laughing...what a grand man who will never be outdone by anybody...I'm a long time member of "The Lurch Church". All praise ye' Ted Cassidy!!!

I've always loved Lurch and never been upset by him. You can tell he loves the piano by the way his face looks when playing the harpsichord; pure joy!

That was incredible! Some of the movies he was in I recognized him but Some I didn't. He seemed like a likeable guy and talented. His natural voice was a gift because it was unique. It carried a certain resonance to it, perfect for advertising and radio commercials. His ability to adapt to different roles is a Testament to him being intelligent. One has to admit, he played a lot of unique roles that fit his persona. Like the Space Monsters etc...

The fact he was in so many great productions shows that he was also a great actor, not just a tall guy!

11:44 Man, I’d forgotten all about “Atom Ant”, and I LOVED that show as a kid back in the 70’s! What was it….” Up and at ‘em, Atom Ant!”…that was his catch phrase.

This was a heck of a neat find. I didn't know he did all those narration roles in the cartoons and some TV shows as I remember those from reruns in the late 80s early 90s. Kind of sad he passed at 49 as he was such an amazing talent.

Your documentary is amazing! So much work has gone into it, and I for one greatly appreciate all your efforts. I grew up in the 60s with Ted Cassidy on tv and in the movies, and it is wonderful knowing more about his life and career. Thank you so much for this, I will subscribe and watch your other videos for sure!

I'll never forget seeing Mr. Cassidy in Star Trek and watching him toss Kirk around like a sack of potatoes. In a series full of Klingons, Romulans, and would-be evil gods, Cassidy remains the single most intimidating force I'd ever seen in the show.

I didn't think I'd listen to this whole video, but the more I found out the more AMAZED I became. To think he narrated or voiced most of my childhood cartoons & TV shows. I'm shocked he was never on the Twilight Zone. Truly an amazing career to have died so young.

How cool 😎. Ted was A wonderful man it seems

This was just a great video! I had no idea how much work Ted did. Thank you for doing these videos and giving such care and respect to these iconic actors.

I appreciate the time and effort put in these presentations. Also your cool narration style... not too fast, not too slow. Just right. 👍

Ted was one of those great actors who rather than being a flashy superstar, is one of the foundations of the industry, always there in film and soundtracks, enriching the world for all of us. What memories he gave us!

As an above average sized person I can relate to him . Life can have its difficulties being tall and one never blends into the crowd . He seemed like a really nice guy

Great summation of Teds life story. I didn’t know he played all those roles. Wow !

I loved the character Lurch. One of my favorite heavy metal bands lead singer was sort of influenced by him: Peter Steele of the band Type O Negative. He was about 6 foot 8 and had a really deep voice. He also died at an early age of 47 because of complications from an enlarged heart. RIP Ted and Peter.