The Addams Family: The Real Story

The Addams Family has had so many adaptations over the decades and while they are beloved. Many fans will be excited to find out the iconic characters and spooky events in these movies were based on an inspiring creator’s life, Charles Addams!

A New Twist On The Addams Family

It seems the new Netflix series, Wednesday was the most recent take. There were many other television series, but this was one that showed a truly different perspective. These incredible stories were rooted in a very real person.

Even though fans get to know the supernatural elements, what is not as common is that the Addams Family started as a set of cartoons. The creator took the world by storm by showing the incredible art and cartoons from 1938 to 1964. What made this so special, was how he found so many cool stories and took inspiration from a place very close to his life. In fact, it's still standing! This amazing Victorian mansion, the same type you see in many of Addams Family movies!

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Charles Addams- An Artistic Prodigy

Collage of the Live action Addams Family Movies and the Animated Movies Image

Charles Addams had this really distinct humor. If you think that all of this started late in life. Charles Addams began to share his artistic side with the world very early on! He was born back in 1912, so in an interesting story of how talent is revealed. We discover he got his love for all things spooky as a child, as a local historian Darryl Walker recalled how Charles Addams often visited a cemetery nearby his home in Westfield, New Jersey.

His creative choices started from such an early age.
He began creating his artwork with cartoons for The New Yorker, giving people a new taste of his style.
In 1964, he partnered with David Levy a television producer, who really helped turn the iconic drawings into characters with a new history, giving a brand new look at these classic family figures!
The result was the iconic family we have all come to know and adore. His characters would gain the memorable names Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Lurch, Thing, Cousin It, and many more that continue to be an exciting part of this spooky, iconic and beloved family!

It all came from a small town. But we get an in-depth look at how a community had such a huge impact, and if Charles Addams hadn't made these artistic choices then we'd not have gotten these amazing TV series, shows, and more!

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The Addams Family House In New Jersey

The house in Westfield, New Jersey that inspired the Addams Family mansion. Image

The creative process comes from an inspiration and for Charles Addams the inspiration may have been in his hometown!

He had this home, that was an icon of all things spooky. A gothic manor! Fans of the movie know what we're talking about- a super special "Victorian-era house" in Westfield on Elm Street.

But there was even a fascinating story from Charles Addams youth that even his biographer discovered!

He drew a skeleton in chalk at the entrance! That was enough to get him known as a local rascal, but you see this also gave him a chance to reveal how his creative talents emerged from his hometown. It's also an incredibly well-known and popular town which has so many historical, and sometimes haunting, moments, as well.

In Westfield, New Jersey. There are beautiful Colonial and Victorian-era homes and the town of Westfield, boasts some amazing structures. There was an incredibly tragic case that took place.

It was 1971, that a murder that stunned a lot of people. There was an unfortunate murder of an entire family in their Victorian Mansion, and to think of how much was happening, Westfield, really is full of remarkable moments of both great, as well as a scary reality.
The man who killed this family was a John List and the event has this dark undertone. The events unfolded as List lost money, which drove him to this violent crime! He got obsessed with a "religious sect," and ended up running from justice! For nearly two decades.

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The Watcher's Real Story:

Gomez and Morticia sitting with baby Pubert on the sofa in Addams Family Values Image

In addition to this incredibly harrowing murder story. Westfield also experienced the case of the "Watcher" in 2014!

You might recall this one! The movie about the creepy stalker. It's not just something that can be made for TV, as the Broaddus family experienced something similar to the stories that made the television show! This was their home as well. This amazing "Victorian Mansion"

That same creepy stalker sent an intimidating letter that made the family super nervous. That forced this family to leave their home. But what made it even more amazing, a little creepy and inspiring, too, it was also written as the script for a TV series called The Watcher for Netflix in 2023.

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Addams Family Inspiration - A Blend of Fact And Fiction:

For those who have not caught the stories that are always circulating. Charles Addams really had an appreciation of life, as a well-known "ladykiller!"

Even before marriage, he had this special appeal to the women that were a big part of his time.
He got to go out to so many events and gatherings! The woman who Addams married was super fashionable. The way he drew her, may have been based upon this reality. Morticia looks remarkably like Barbara Jean Day!

With her stylish looks and elegant beauty, the family as it's been imagined takes us to those exciting days of the 1930s. With one detail standing out.

In an unexpected twist, what may be a big inspiration for how this family is presented. That was Charles Addams decision not to have children. He looked at them in an unusual and fascinating light as it is clear these characters bring an incredible dose of funny, light-hearted moments that give this family its spirit! While the supernatural elements came from Addams' mind!

Wednesday (portrayed by Jenna Ortega), who has these bangs and the way Jenna Ortega played her, shows the lasting impact of Barbara Jean Day! Even though their relationship dissolved. Charles Addams, really took on a personal perspective, that might have been an inspiration, that was a loving couple as you saw in all those movies!

So if you watch a show like "The Addams Family," think about how these stories came to life.

If you ever go to New Jersey, be sure to take a trip to Westfield. To see where this extraordinary man got his beginnings and check out these classic historical locations. That's why The Addams Family continues to make a lasting impact. This spooky family has so much to teach and so much to make people laugh and even a bit creepy for generations, to come!