Just had to come back for this permanent comment section, to tell you how wonderful your channel is! You are what my young niece calls “epic awesome sauce,” as her highest compliment. I think that YOU are epic awesome sauce! I gave up watching TV in 2007, and don’t miss it! I do, however, miss the golden age of TV! Thank you for inspiring me and others, Dave! God bless you!
Thank you so much for doing this for Ted Cassidy and his memory 💗. I thought he was so wonderful in everything he did especially The Addams Family especially doing the scenes were he was dancing and impressing his mom. When I recognized him on Butch Cassidy. I didn't know that he did voice overs. Now you will have me watching all these shows. You are wonderful ❣️.
I was just thinking about Ted Cassidy today. I remember reading an interview with him and he talked about the role of Lurch on The Addams Family. He stated that even though Lurch was a lumbering being who served the Addams’ , you didn’t think he was human. But Ted said that Lurch was brimming with humanity because he treated visitors well (even if Lurch didn’t exactly know his own strength because it seemed like he was a little rough on men). I was even more surprised to hear his vocal performance in Hanna/Barbera’s adaptation of Godzilla in the Godzilla Power Hour. I think he was in an episode of I Dream Of Jeanie as an angry genie who confronts Jeanie’s sister about a violation of some kind. Major Healey asked him what he was going to do with Jeanie’s sister, the genie says with murderous glee, “I’ll kill her.” In the cult sci-fi classic The Angry Red Planet, he was the uncredited voice of the Martian who warns the viewers of the film not to come to Mars or they will be destroyed. It is good that he was able to work on his own terms. Harvey Logan-“Guns or knives?” Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid Ted Cassidy was a giant of talent.
Ted Cassidy was awesome as Lurch. His concern over being typecast in that role was valid, but the way he made that character entertaining and lovable is a credit to his talent. He ad-libbed the "You rang?" line and that impressed the producers. I can't imagine Lurch being mute. His commanding voice was a huge asset, including his voice-over acting on Star Trek.
I met John Astin and in chatting told him ever since I was a kid I always wanted to meet Ted Cassidy. He smiled, and for a moment i could see him thinking back, and he said, " What a wonderful guy he was." He told me that at one point he and another man had written a script, with Cassidy in the mind for the lead role about a minister who'd lost his church and his way. I replied, " Wow, that would have been great, he really could have sunk his teeth into a role like that." , to which Astin nodded in agreement, I asked, " What happened?" He shrugged his shoulders and said, " So many great ideas and scripts just never end up happening for one reason or another. That's the business." I understood, but damn, I wish that film had been made!
@Charles Edwards I guess it was assumed the whole family was there, but if I remember correctly it was only Lurch that stuck his head out the window. There was no consideration about "universes" in 60s television. Having stars from other shows do cameos is just something they did. They even had Sammy Davis Jr show up, as well as Colonel Klink, in character.
@James Gleason What do you want me to tell you. The episode happened and you could probably find the clip somewhere if you looked. I'm not going to try and explain "Camp" and why it's funny here.
"You rang?" I still use that one to this day. And that photo with Ted dancing with Morticia is great! I can still picture that in my mind. Some of the best "good stuff" ever my friend!
Ted Played basketball at Stetson University in the late 40's early 50's while my parents went there. They showed me a picture of him playing basketball in one of their yearbooks.
Thanks again Dave. We loved Ted Cassidy. Never knew he was the Gorn. Can't wait to tell my brother. I have to be honest though I kinda lost my train of thought after sighting Morticia Addams, Carolyn Jones. I never quite got over her in that skin tight black dress. Wow.
There are a couple of things I remember about Ted Cassidy: one is that Cassidy not only played Lurch but also played Thing the hand that popped out of his box to answer the telephone; the second is that after "The Addams Family" he played an animated villain in a mixed live action and animated series entitled "The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". The show was actually produced by Hanna Barbera and it had a brief run on the N.B.C. network. People might not know that Ted Cassidy got started on television as a reporter in Dallas and one of his assigments was covering the Kennedy assassination.
I remember Huck Finn. He was the voice of a number of bad guys in that one. He did A LOT of voice work. As mentioned he was the narrator for the intro of The Incredible Hulk TV show, which everyone of that age remembers.
@@peteg475 That show had a very brief run in 1968 but it left an indelible mark on my memory because it was probably the first show I can recall that had live characters interacting with animated ones. While it is true that "My World and Welcome to It" had animated segments they were more an insight into the mind of the narrator (William Windom) who played the James Thurber like character.
@@zoperxplex Yes. Cassidy voiced the antagonist "Injun Joe", and of course in the animated segments the 'bad guy" was always some alternate version of Joe with Cassidy's voice.
Dave you really surprised me with this one. I never realized that Ted did the intro for The Incredible Hulk. I loved his work as Big Foot. He was able to convey the characters emotions through that heavy makeup and costume. His Lurch is second to none. It's truly heartbreaking on how he passed. Thank you for bringing back such great memories and facts about one of my favorite actors I didn't know
The year before in 63, Ted worked as a dj at WFAA radio in Dallas, and was pressed into a newscaster role on the day JFK was killed. He also played basketball at Stetson.
I loved the Addams Family as a kid , my great aunt gave me a autographed photo she had got from him while she was out in CA traveling around - I still have it , I framed it and hung it up on the wall in my artwork room. Ted was a good guy.
Now, I'm not as tall as Mr. Cassidy, but I've got the "You rang?" down to a science, and one of my favorite things to do was sneak up behind people, and grab their hats off their heads when they came to visit, much like Lurch did. That's always fun! Thanks, Dave, for remembering 1 of my favorite actors. 🙂
In a way, both Ted Cassidy and his doppelgänger Richard Kiel suffered from tall man’s curse. However, Richard did pretty well ,in his career. Certainly did quite well in the James Bond films but my favorite of his role was in The Longest Yard. “I told you I broke his f$$ing neck”; And yes, Ted as Harvey Logan who took on Butch in BC and Sundance, the first movie I ever saw. “Rules? In a knife fight? No rules”. Gold
Ted Cassidy Bellyached And Whined And Bad-Mouthed Richard Keil. What A Childish, Petty Thing To Do. RK Was A Happily Married-Man Who Was Content With His Life. TC Was Just Another Oh Boo-Hoo, Woe Is Me Nobody Wants Me. The Thing That Is Really Mindboggling Is How They Remain In The Busines They Actually Think A Wonderful-Oppertunity is Just Around The Corner. He Should Have Called It Quits. He Might Be With Us Today If He Did.
I met Ted in South Florida. He was filming a movie, about drug running and escaped female convicts, not far from my house. My friend, David, and I, did not harass him like the other boneheaded kids. We referred to him as Mr. Cassidy and really took a shine to us. We hung around with him during production, he carried us on his shoulders, we got to sit on the laps of the actresses who were the escapees. We saw the final scene were he had the BSO (Broward Sheriff's Office)helicopter and airboat after him and he dropped from a chopper after dangling from the landing skid. He was a great guy and a gentleman.
I Loved him when he’d say”” You rang & that groan “” Thank You, So MUCH, for Sharing all these Star’s in heaven ! Through you, They still Live on ! ! ! ✨⭐️✨⭐️
Dave, another excellent story. I never knew how Ted Cassidy died. I met his son when I worked in Westwood. The minute I saw him, I saw the resemblance to his father.
Kenny Huskisson, when I first saw him, his facial features were just like his father. I asked him, excuse me sir, but you bare a strong resemblance to Ted Cassidy. He smiled and replied, He was my father.
im 6'5" which doesnt seem like anything unusual these days, but when i was a kid growing up in the 70s and 80s i was always the tallest person in the room and the skinniest. i always really liked Ted, even though i was taunted endlessly in my youth being called Lurch. but the thing i always really remember him for is his amazing voice not his height. what a fabulous deep baritone voice he had, i wish i had such an awesome voice.
Ted did a recurring character on my all-time favorite cartoon, Tarzan Lord of the Jungle. Ted played Phoebeg, a warrior/guard in Zandor, the city of gold. I'm the only person I know that remembers this show. It informed a great deal of my childhood and prompted me to learn the Tarzan call, much to my parents irritation. As a kid my version of the call was cracky and kind of squeaky but I had the yodel down and by the time I was a teen, the call had morphed into a smooth, rich baritone. When I was a lifeguard at a lake beach, I would use the bullhorn, hit my heroic pose and do Tarzan's call then listen to it echo over the lake. It had the incredibly satisfying effect of making all the animals quiet for a minute or two. Your Ted Cassidy video was the trigger for this fantastic old memory. Thank You!
@@jdsundstrom YES! That one! One of the most faithful iterations of Tarzan. They were like mini morality plays. Loved that show! Ted was in 2 or 3 episodes but was a definitely a heroic presence all his own.
Another amazing video! Thank you Dave for this one. I was always very entertained as a child with Ted's performances and he very much deserves to be remembered.
I liked him as when he was on The Six Million Dollar Man I got on board ❣️I love Andre the Giant ❣️❣️I heard a lot of men didn’t like it when other men were taller than them. SUPERFRIENDS❣️These tall guys are like a wall out of nowhere‼️His passing that’s so sad. Sorry he went out that way. RIP. Sorry for his family and friends and we fans. Thank you Dave you and yours have a great one❣️‼️
Thank you for another great video. The Addams Family has it's on channel on Pluto TV and I just love binge watching them over and over. The Addams Family was also a big part of my childhood in the 70s, but, were never re run here in the UK. I love the TV shows of the 50s,60, 70s and even the 80s. Much better than most of what is made today and they didn't waste time at the start of each new episode recapping the previous weeks storyline, something I absolutely hate.
@@ovivargas397 He is listed on IMDB, as playing the Gorn along with Bill Blackburn, and Gary Combs all uncredited. Apparently still kicking his last movie credit was in 1983 but worked on Star Trek Continues in 2013. Your looking up the wrong guy, you need to polish up on your research skills. But then there is always a few Trekkies out there who like to argue.
@The Elder Any chance you know the name of the episode of Trek that Mr Cassidy was on - or possibly the story line so I could find it? I would watch it if I find out. Thanks
He did go against type, in “The Beverly Hillbillies”. He played a professional gardener, named Mr. Ted. The only time he sank into type, was when Granny shot him, with rock salt. All he did, was defend himself. Also, you saw the only time, a character bigger, than Jed and Jethro.
"What are Little Girls Made Of" is one of the very best Star Trek episodes, and it would not have been anywhere near as good if it didn't have Ted Cassidy.
Hi, Dave! Loved this piece, and loved Ted Cassidy. Did you know he also provided voiceovers on Space Ghost!? That was one of my favorite cartoon shows, along with Johnny Quest. Could you possibly do something on Space Ghost in the future? Thanks for always delivering "the Good Stuff". Warm and fuzzies from The Carolinas.
I shared in the livestream that Lurch was my favorite character after Spock! I also loved Bill Bixby as the Hulk, and also in “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father!” Ted Cassidy was great as the alien in the one hour episode of The Twilight Zone’s “To Serve Man.” He looked similar to that alien when playing in the Star Trek episode as the alien android...
@Charles Edwards Yes, and it was also Richard who played Jaws. He was more imposing than Ted because Ted was a more-with-less style actor, which worked for him I thought better than Brando, who's style I didn't like that much.
Charles Edwards 😏😳😲🥺🤯wow! This old gray mare sure ain’t what she used to be! Thank you for initially blowing my mind, yet correcting a memory I thought was true! Thank you for correcting my erroneous statement! The confusion between Ted Cassidy and Richard Keil lives on-in the minds of many! I pray that others will learn about this! It needs to be spread far and wide, hither and yon!
He was a Volusia County lifeguard for a season or two in the 1950s. I can just imagine drowning, seeing him come to save me, and then me doing the Gilligan's Island double speed swimming away. And I'm 6'6".
I did not know a lot of this. His guest appearances and voice overs. I will be looking for him in a lot of reruns I love to still watch.thank you for another great video
l know he played Rock on that photo on Star Trek. One of my favorites. "Help me Kirk, Kirk, help me," I believe he was on the one with 'Harry Mudd' s androids, but You floored me revealing that he was the one in the 'Gore' creature's costume on one of my favorite episodes, title named.
Yay! You mentioned him in "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid"....I thought of that immediately when I clicked on the video. Funny his name was Cassidy and he played a part in a movie about another Cassidy. Another awesome video, I really do appreciate the work you do. A great channel.
Before Ted got into acting he worked as a reporter for a radio station in Dallas and was part of the group that reported on the Kennedy assassination. Also,Ted was a very talented musician.
Thsnks, Dave. I always wondered what happened to Ted Cassidy. I know he played Frankenstein, Jr. "Ok, Buzz!" He had that distinctive bass voice fitting for Lurch. One of my favorite episodes of the Adams Family was Lurch And His Harpsichord. It showed Lurch's character had a unique hobby and without giving too much away, he almost loses his beloved harpsichord. Not sure if that was really Ted Cassidy playing that 18th century keyboard but I think Lurch's playing it helped promote the instrument. Just a thought. And of course, since I loved the live action Hulk, I loved his narration and the growls he provided for the not so jolly Green giant!
I know that this is about Ted Cassidy who I grew up watching and enjoying but I just gotta' say that John Astin is the coolest looking guy when he's just barely smiling. The look on his face is so crazy wild, cool, and intriguing. I saw him here in his hometown of Baltimore one Christmas about 15 years ago playing Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. He was superb. Such a great actor and he made you feel as though he was playing just to you. Whatta' guy!
The Addams Family ran as reruns here in an annual cycle until at least the early 70s. Ted Cassidy spotting (star spotting in general) was a bit of an obsession with my older brother as I was growing up. It always came across to me that Ted was a" Big Man" in the industry.🤭 I'll show myself out.🤐
Sir, most excellent stuff you put out as always. You have that pleasant conveyance down to a science and we all know that your attitude is needed more than ever now!
I got confused between actors Ted Cassidy and Richard Kiel. It was Kiel that was in The Wild Wild West. He not only played Dr. Loveless's assistant he also played a deformed son of the Buckley family.
Great video Dave. Like you I watched The Addam's Family but I also watched The Banana Splits and I saw that Ted had a voice role in one of their cartoon segments but I had no idea that he'd been on Star Trek or voiced the intro to The Ineradicable Hulk. Ya just learn something new every day :).
YES! I kept thinking he voiced a character from the Arabian Knights cartoon but you're right, he was "Injun Joe" in The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. (from Wikipedia) After the show's original run, the series continued to air in reruns as part of The Banana Splits and Friends Show syndication package.
i was a fan of mr. cassidy from way back. in the days before the internet i would ride my bike to town, go to the drug store and read gossip magazines just to get caught up on hollywood news. it was one such trip to the drug store in the summer of 1979 when i discovered ted had sadly passed away many months prior. i read about his passing in a rona barrett magazine where i read the sad news. i remember how alone i felt because there wasn't anyone to express my loss to.
I wasn’t born until after The Adams Family was off the air. I was born in 67. But I remember coming home after school and watching it. And my twin brother and I laughing our butts off. Every time the phone in our house rang or the door bell rang, one of us or one of our other siblings would say You Rang in as deep a voice as we could muster. Then would laugh if the person on the other end got it. Our mom would get annoyed but that was part of the fun of it all.
Well Ted was a favorite of mine as a kid, I related in some ways as I was already six feet tall by 7th grade. And I still love the "You Rang" line. That one and "Missed it by that much", lol. Being 63 now and on my second round of cancer, I would so love shows like that again. One can always hope!
Dave Sundstrom - Wonderful story. I have a question about the Butch & Sundance picture - is that a young Sam Elliott on the left ? He was in the movie & it looks a lot like him. Thanks for all your hard work!
Actually Dave, It wasn't Ted inside the Gorn costume, (that honor went to 3 other aciors)..but you were right about him supplying that unforgettable voice to Kirk's reptilian foe. Ted also supplied the voice to Balok's puppet in the episode The Corrbomite Maneuver.
A nice tribute to a talented actor who is very much missed. Ted Cassidy was quite a voice talent too. (You can find his demo tape here on UA-cam.) As for the '60s dance craze known as "The Lurch," well, you have to see it to believe it (also on UA-cam). It's craaaaazy, man!
I enjoyed those Scooby Doo episodes in which they met famous people in each episode. I remember them meeting the Addams Family, Don Knots, The Three Stooges, The Harlem Globetrotters, etc. That was awesome!
You nailed it, sir. Perfect casting. I just cannot think of anyone who could have brought Lurch to life better than Cassidy. I don't like type-casting either, but geez .... I just can't see Karloff .... or any of the other obvious choices doing what Cassidy did. :)
Two things: I'll have you know I have incorporated, "You know, the good stuff" into my regular vernacular. And secondly, Pittsburgh-native Ted Cassidy was 6'9" and--believe it or not--Andre was NOT well over seven feet tall in real life. Because of his "big hair" he did look 7'4", but in reality he was most likely seven feet tall at his apex. In later years, he would have been a lot closer to Ted's height. They BOTH were 46 when they died.
Just had to come back for this permanent comment section, to tell you how wonderful your channel is!
You are what my young niece calls “epic awesome sauce,” as her highest compliment. I think that YOU are epic awesome sauce!
I gave up watching TV in 2007, and don’t miss it! I do, however, miss the golden age of TV!
Thank you for inspiring me and others, Dave! God bless you!
Thanks Carolyn. Your comment...as well as your niece's made my day!
Carolyn I agree 💯 Dave is wonderful! He does his research and has such a nice relaxing voice to do his vids, he is truly one of a kind !!! 👍
Carolyn Nunes I'm happy that you're doing okay, and I think your comments are epic awesome sauce!
@Carolyn Nunes
Being pinned is epically awesome!
Carolyn Nunes
👁👁 Ah ha ...glad I gave you channel name the other day ...you got pinned 👍
“You rang?” has been one of my catchphrases since childhood - right up there with “Sorry about that, Chief.” Cheers to Lurch! Another fine tribute.
BelievingRebel Also used by Maynard G Krebs on Dobie Gillis :)
I’m Carlton, your doorman.
I loved him. When he would just shake his head , groan and walk away. Lol I would run home from school to watch this show. Still love it today.
Thank you so much for doing this for Ted Cassidy and his memory 💗. I thought he was so wonderful in everything he did especially The Addams Family especially doing the scenes were he was dancing and impressing his mom. When I recognized him on Butch Cassidy. I didn't know that he did voice overs. Now you will have me watching all these shows. You are wonderful ❣️.
“YOU RANG” will forever resonate in my head ...thanks Dave
“Rules?!?! In a knife fight!?!?” Loved that scene with Ted and Paul Newman
"Dr. David Banner, physician, scientist ,searching for a way to tap into the strength that all humans have ".
I was just thinking about Ted Cassidy today. I remember reading an interview with him and he talked about the role of Lurch on The Addams Family. He stated that even though Lurch was a lumbering being who served the Addams’ , you didn’t think he was human. But Ted said that Lurch was brimming with humanity because he treated visitors well (even if Lurch didn’t exactly know his own strength because it seemed like he was a little rough on men).
I was even more surprised to hear his vocal performance in Hanna/Barbera’s adaptation of Godzilla in the Godzilla Power Hour.
I think he was in an episode of I Dream Of Jeanie as an angry genie who confronts Jeanie’s sister about a violation of some kind. Major Healey asked him what he was going to do with Jeanie’s sister, the genie says with murderous glee, “I’ll kill her.”
In the cult sci-fi classic The Angry Red Planet, he was the uncredited voice of the Martian who warns the viewers of the film not to come to Mars or they will be destroyed.
It is good that he was able to work on his own terms.
Harvey Logan-“Guns or knives?”
Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid
Ted Cassidy was a giant of talent.
Great stuff! Thanks for sharing, Gary!
Ted Cassidy was awesome as Lurch. His concern over being typecast in that role was valid, but the way he made that character entertaining and lovable is a credit to his talent. He ad-libbed the "You rang?" line and that impressed the producers. I can't imagine Lurch being mute. His commanding voice was a huge asset, including his voice-over acting on Star Trek.
Great comments, John! Thanks for sharing.
I met John Astin and in chatting told him ever since I was a kid I always wanted to meet Ted Cassidy. He smiled, and for a moment i could see him thinking back, and he said, " What a wonderful guy he was." He told me that at one point he and another man had written a script, with Cassidy in the mind for the lead role about a minister who'd lost his church and his way. I replied, " Wow, that would have been great, he really could have sunk his teeth into a role like that." , to which Astin nodded in agreement, I asked, " What happened?" He shrugged his shoulders and said, " So many great ideas and scripts just never end up happening for one reason or another. That's the business." I understood, but damn, I wish that film had been made!
He also did the voice over in the intro of the Incredible Hulk TV series. They even continued to use them after Ted Cassidy passed away.
I really hope he knew how happy his roles would make his fans in 2020 and on. What an awesome guy! He will always be missed.
I think he would definitely be pleased with the legions of fans that still enjoy his work even to this very day.
Don't forget that Cassidy also showed up on Batman as Lurch. One of the famous wall climb cameos.
I remember that one, James!
@Charles Edwards I guess it was assumed the whole family was there, but if I remember correctly it was only Lurch that stuck his head out the window. There was no consideration about "universes" in 60s television. Having stars from other shows do cameos is just something they did. They even had Sammy Davis Jr show up, as well as Colonel Klink, in character.
@James Gleason What do you want me to tell you. The episode happened and you could probably find the clip somewhere if you looked. I'm not going to try and explain "Camp" and why it's funny here.
@James Dye
A clip is on UA-cam that features all fourteen window cameos.
@@nortondumont9711 I'm never commenting here again, I don't have the patience for this.
"You rang?" I still use that one to this day. And that photo with Ted dancing with Morticia is great! I can still picture that in my mind. Some of the best "good stuff" ever my friend!
I didn't know Cassidy played the Gorn! Great bit of trivia for one of my favorite Star Trek episodes.
Mark we learn something new everyday 👍👍👍
Ted Played basketball at Stetson University in the late 40's early 50's while my parents went there. They showed me a picture of him playing basketball in one of their yearbooks.
Thanks again Dave. We loved Ted Cassidy. Never knew he was the Gorn. Can't wait to tell my brother.
I have to be honest though I kinda lost my train of thought after sighting Morticia Addams, Carolyn Jones.
I never quite got over her in that skin tight black dress. Wow.
Totally understandable that you would lose your train of thought, D Evans!
Carolyn Jones was HAWT as Morticia Addams!😛😍
There are a couple of things I remember about Ted Cassidy: one is that Cassidy not only played Lurch but also played Thing the hand that popped out of his box to answer the telephone; the second is that after "The Addams Family" he played an animated villain in a mixed live action and animated series entitled "The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". The show was actually produced by Hanna Barbera and it had a brief run on the N.B.C. network.
People might not know that Ted Cassidy got started on television as a reporter in Dallas and one of his assigments was covering the Kennedy assassination.
I didn't know that. Pretty interesting!
I remember Huck Finn. He was the voice of a number of bad guys in that one. He did A LOT of voice work. As mentioned he was the narrator for the intro of The Incredible Hulk TV show, which everyone of that age remembers.
@@peteg475 That show had a very brief run in 1968 but it left an indelible mark on my memory because it was probably the first show I can recall that had live characters interacting with animated ones. While it is true that "My World and Welcome to It" had animated segments they were more an insight into the mind of the narrator (William Windom) who played the James Thurber like character.
@@zoperxplex Yes. Cassidy voiced the antagonist "Injun Joe", and of course in the animated segments the 'bad guy" was always some alternate version of Joe with Cassidy's voice.
@@peteg475 I knew he did voice work but not that particular intro. That's pretty cool!
The Addams Family was a phenomenal TV Show ! It was so clever. Genius , in a subtle way. Syndication really cemented this shows reputation.
I agree with you but The Munsters was just as good and in some ways better:
I cannot believe that as popular & legendary as this show was & still is now, that it only lasted 2 seasons!!!!
@@archangel5627 Man Idk I love both but Addams Family edges The Munsters out just a bit. the chemistry between Gomez and Morticia is legendary.
Dave you really surprised me with this one. I never realized that Ted did the intro for The Incredible Hulk. I loved his work as Big Foot. He was able to convey the characters emotions through that heavy makeup and costume. His Lurch is second to none. It's truly heartbreaking on how he passed. Thank you for bringing back such great memories and facts about one of my favorite actors I didn't know
The year before in 63, Ted worked as a dj at WFAA radio in Dallas, and was pressed into a newscaster role on the day JFK was killed. He also played basketball at Stetson.
Wow Frank I have never heard that ! So interesting, thanks for sharing!
I think there's a clip on YT here with Ted doing some sort of broadcast on the day JFK was killed.
@@jdsundstrom Thanks Dave👍
Was a lifeguard on Daytona Beach
@@greggbaker7120 Wow Gregg that's awesome!!
I loved the Addams Family as a kid , my great aunt gave me a autographed photo she had got from him while she was out in CA traveling around - I still have it , I framed it and hung it up on the wall in my artwork room. Ted was a good guy.
I will always remember him for the knife fight scene in Butch Cassidy. That amazing voice and such a serious role!!
Rules in a knife fight?
Peter Stawicki Loved him in that too. Still a perfect movie 🎥
He looked... perfect, too. Always thought it should have brought him more work.
He had an impressive physique, too. He once played a circus strongman on an episode of Mister Terrific in 1967 and, boy, did he ever look the part!
Not many people remember Mr. Terrific!! How about Run Buddy, run?!
@@milojanis4901 I remember that there was a show by that name, but don't think that I ever watched it.
Now, I'm not as tall as Mr. Cassidy, but I've got the "You rang?" down to a science, and one of my favorite things to do was sneak up behind people, and grab their hats off their heads when they came to visit, much like Lurch did. That's always fun! Thanks, Dave, for remembering 1 of my favorite actors. 🙂
I'd love to hear it, Lateef! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
In a way, both Ted Cassidy and his doppelgänger Richard Kiel suffered from tall man’s curse. However, Richard did pretty well ,in his career. Certainly did quite well in the James Bond films but my favorite of his role was in The Longest Yard. “I told you I broke his f$$ing neck”; And yes, Ted as Harvey Logan who took on Butch in BC and Sundance, the first movie I ever saw. “Rules? In a knife fight? No rules”. Gold
Great comments, pnighswander!
I met Richard Kiel here in Birmingham Alabama at a comic con . He was so super Awesome.
Biker Scout I don’t doubt it. You were very fortunate
Ted Cassidy Bellyached And Whined And Bad-Mouthed Richard Keil. What A Childish, Petty Thing To Do. RK Was A Happily Married-Man Who Was Content With His Life. TC Was Just Another Oh Boo-Hoo, Woe Is Me Nobody Wants Me. The Thing That Is Really Mindboggling Is How They Remain In The Busines They Actually Think A Wonderful-Oppertunity is Just Around The Corner. He Should Have Called It Quits. He Might Be With Us Today If He Did.
Thanks, Dave, for your touching tribute to Ted. I enjoy your narrations. You have such a soothing and warm voice. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Donald!
Don't forget his classic appearance on Lost In Space, as the slave of a sort of fantasy space-Arabian Knight, who in turn makes a slave of Will!
I met Ted in South Florida. He was filming a movie, about drug running and escaped female convicts, not far from my house. My friend, David, and I, did not harass him
like the other boneheaded kids. We referred to him as Mr. Cassidy and really took a shine to us. We hung around with him during production, he carried us on his shoulders,
we got to sit on the laps of the actresses who were the escapees. We saw the final scene were he had the BSO (Broward Sheriff's Office)helicopter and airboat after him and he dropped from a chopper after dangling from the landing skid. He was a great guy and a gentleman.
Wow! Thanks for sharing your memories, filster!
Totally love your channel, the way you cover material, your presentation, and your choice of subjects. Keep it up! You bring me back to my childhood.
I'm glad you are enjoying my channel, David or Ron!
Ted Cassidy was creepy and kooky and altogether ooky!! I just loved his catchphrase "You Rang??"
I Loved him when he’d say”” You rang & that groan “”
Thank You,
So MUCH, for Sharing all these
Star’s in heaven ! Through you,
They still Live on ! ! !
✨⭐️✨⭐️
OH MR TED CASSIDY HOW I MISS YOU LATE GREAT TALL MAN THAT DEEP VOICE VOICE ACTOR THAT REMEMBER YOU 🙏🙏🙏👼👼👼
Dave, another excellent story. I never knew how Ted Cassidy died. I met his son when I worked in Westwood. The minute I saw him, I saw the resemblance to his father.
Is his son tall also?
Kenny Huskisson, yes he was. From what I recall, he was at least 6’2”.
@@juliocaesaralcaraz9891 Cool! Thank you
Kenny Huskisson, when I first saw him, his facial features were just like his father. I asked him, excuse me sir, but you bare a strong resemblance to Ted Cassidy. He smiled and replied, He was my father.
@@juliocaesaralcaraz9891 Awsome my friend!👍✌
im 6'5" which doesnt seem like anything unusual these days, but when i was a kid growing up in the 70s and 80s i was always the tallest person in the room and the skinniest. i always really liked Ted, even though i was taunted endlessly in my youth being called Lurch. but the thing i always really remember him for is his amazing voice not his height. what a fabulous deep baritone voice he had, i wish i had such an awesome voice.
Thanks for sharing your memories, newwavepop!
Ted did a recurring character on my all-time favorite cartoon, Tarzan Lord of the Jungle. Ted played Phoebeg, a warrior/guard in Zandor, the city of gold. I'm the only person I know that remembers this show. It informed a great deal of my childhood and prompted me to learn the Tarzan call, much to my parents irritation. As a kid my version of the call was cracky and kind of squeaky but I had the yodel down and by the time I was a teen, the call had morphed into a smooth, rich baritone. When I was a lifeguard at a lake beach, I would use the bullhorn, hit my heroic pose and do Tarzan's call then listen to it echo over the lake. It had the incredibly satisfying effect of making all the animals quiet for a minute or two. Your Ted Cassidy video was the trigger for this fantastic old memory. Thank You!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Are you talking about the Tarzan cartoon from the 70s? I definitely remember that one!
@@jdsundstrom YES! That one! One of the most faithful iterations of Tarzan. They were like mini morality plays. Loved that show! Ted was in 2 or 3 episodes but was a definitely a heroic presence all his own.
Another amazing video! Thank you Dave for this one. I was always very entertained as a child with Ted's performances and he very much deserves to be remembered.
Wow! I had no idea he was the "Gorn"! That fight scene with Ted Cassdy in "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid" is a classic! lol
Thanks for sharing this with us Dave ! You never fail to intrigue ! Have a great night 💕
You're most welcome, Peaches! Have a great night as well!
@@jdsundstrom 👍👍👍
I liked him as when he was on The Six Million Dollar Man I got on board ❣️I love Andre the Giant ❣️❣️I heard a lot of men didn’t like it when other men were taller than them. SUPERFRIENDS❣️These tall guys are like a wall out of nowhere‼️His passing that’s so sad. Sorry he went out that way. RIP. Sorry for his family and friends and we fans. Thank you Dave you and yours have a great one❣️‼️
You're welcome, Thelma. Have a great one as well!
Thank you for another great video. The Addams Family has it's on channel on Pluto TV and I just love binge watching them over and over. The Addams Family was also a big part of my childhood in the 70s, but, were never re run here in the UK.
I love the TV shows of the 50s,60, 70s and even the 80s. Much better than most of what is made today and they didn't waste time at the start of each new episode recapping the previous weeks storyline, something I absolutely hate.
Loved him in Butch Cassidy “rules? What rules?” Wham!!
He was perfect in the _Star Trek_ episode, "What Are Little Girls Made Of?"
Cassidy didn't wear the Gorn costume, he voiced the Gorn. The man in the costume was Bobby Clark, actor and stuntman.
Thanks for clarifying, DaT!
Bobby Clark's last acting credit was in the year 1964. The start Trek series ran from 1966 to 1969. He could not have played The Dorn.
@@ovivargas397 He is listed on IMDB, as playing the Gorn along with Bill Blackburn, and Gary Combs all uncredited. Apparently still kicking his last movie credit was in 1983 but worked on Star Trek Continues in 2013. Your looking up the wrong guy, you need to polish up on your research skills. But then there is always a few Trekkies out there who like to argue.
To me, Ted Cassidy will always be one of Pittsburgh’s beloved sons.
I've seen this gentleman in shows and movies! Good actor!
I'm very surprised the Gorn was Ted Cassidy as for Saturday morning cartoons my Mom was a very light sleeper thanks for sharing!
Parents are notorious light sleepers...especially on Saturdays!!
The Elder True, One of the extras on the ST TOS Blu-Ray set is an interview with the actor who played the Gorn.
(It’s not Cassidy)
@The Elder Any chance you know the name of the episode of Trek that Mr Cassidy was on - or possibly the story line so I could find it? I would watch it if I find out. Thanks
@@jdsundstrom
Yup that's for sure
"That was the equation. Existence...survival...must cancel out programming."
He did go against type, in “The Beverly Hillbillies”. He played a professional gardener, named Mr. Ted. The only time he sank into type, was when Granny shot him, with rock salt. All he did, was defend himself. Also, you saw the only time, a character bigger, than Jed and Jethro.
"What are Little Girls Made Of" is one of the very best Star Trek episodes, and it would not have been anywhere near as good if it didn't have Ted Cassidy.
Hi, Dave! Loved this piece, and loved Ted Cassidy.
Did you know he also provided voiceovers on Space Ghost!? That was one of my favorite cartoon shows, along with Johnny Quest.
Could you possibly do something on Space Ghost in the future?
Thanks for always delivering "the Good Stuff".
Warm and fuzzies from The Carolinas.
I shared in the livestream that Lurch was my favorite character after Spock!
I also loved Bill Bixby as the Hulk, and also in “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father!”
Ted Cassidy was great as the alien in the one hour episode of The Twilight Zone’s “To Serve Man.” He looked similar to that alien when playing in the Star Trek episode as the alien android...
I loved "To Serve Man"! Great TZ episode!
@Charles Edwards Yes, and it was also Richard who played Jaws. He was more imposing than Ted because Ted was a more-with-less style actor, which worked for him I thought better than Brando, who's style I didn't like that much.
@Charles Edwards
Kiel said on a talk show he was often mistaken for Cassidy.
Thanks everyone for the clarification. I was going to try and find that Trek episode- and I never would have.
Charles Edwards 😏😳😲🥺🤯wow! This old gray mare sure ain’t what she used to be!
Thank you for initially blowing my mind, yet correcting a memory I thought was true! Thank you for correcting my erroneous statement!
The confusion between Ted Cassidy and Richard Keil lives on-in the minds of many! I pray that others will learn about this! It needs to be spread far and wide, hither and yon!
He was also the Apache warrior in 1969's "MacKenna's Gold"
And Injun Joe in the Tom Sawyer films.
Loved Lurch.-"You Rang??RIP Ted Cassidy!
He was a Volusia County lifeguard for a season or two in the 1950s. I can just imagine drowning, seeing him come to save me, and then me doing the Gilligan's Island double speed swimming away. And I'm 6'6".
Ha! Too funny! 😄
I did not know a lot of this. His guest appearances and voice overs. I will be looking for him in a lot of reruns I love to still watch.thank you for another great video
I enjoy your channel. The nostalgia brings back good memories from the 70s & 80s. Thank you.
You're welcome, Kyle! I'm glad you are enjoying my channel.
l know he played Rock on that photo on Star Trek. One of my favorites. "Help me Kirk, Kirk, help me," I believe he was on the one with 'Harry Mudd' s androids, but You floored me revealing that he was the one in the 'Gore' creature's costume on one of my favorite episodes, title named.
James Gleason oh, I see...
He was also the master to the sister of “Jeannie” in “I Dream Of Jeannie”
Werewolf O. London, Esq. YES!
You must be real “I Dream Of Jeannie Fan”! 🧞♂️
Cassidy actually appears in 2 different Jeannie episodes
Yay! You mentioned him in "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid"....I thought of that immediately when I clicked on the video. Funny his name was Cassidy and he played a part in a movie about another Cassidy. Another awesome video, I really do appreciate the work you do. A great channel.
Before Ted got into acting he worked as a reporter for a radio station in Dallas and was part of the group that reported on the Kennedy assassination. Also,Ted was a very talented musician.
I've seen him in a few classic films. Loved him as Lurch.
Thsnks, Dave. I always wondered what happened to Ted Cassidy. I know he played Frankenstein, Jr. "Ok, Buzz!" He had that distinctive bass voice fitting for Lurch. One of my favorite episodes of the Adams Family was Lurch And His Harpsichord. It showed Lurch's character had a unique hobby and without giving too much away, he almost loses his beloved harpsichord. Not sure if that was really Ted Cassidy playing that 18th century keyboard but I think Lurch's playing it helped promote the instrument. Just a thought. And of course, since I loved the live action Hulk, I loved his narration and the growls he provided for the not so jolly Green giant!
Youdidnt mentiom To serve man the Twilight Zone Episode from the 60s. Where Ted played the Kanimet. One of my fave eps.
His narration on The Incredible Hulk was his best ever, then his voice when he was on The Addams Family and on the Scooby-Doo Movies.
He also did the Hulk's roar.
I know that this is about Ted Cassidy who I grew up watching and enjoying but I just gotta' say that John Astin is the coolest looking guy when he's just barely smiling. The look on his face is so crazy wild, cool, and intriguing. I saw him here in his hometown of Baltimore one Christmas about 15 years ago playing Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. He was superb. Such a great actor and he made you feel as though he was playing just to you. Whatta' guy!
Totally agree, Daniel. Such a great...and funny actor!
AWESOME episode Dave.... As always, the great stuff!
I love Lurch's connection with Wednesday!
Me too!
I never knew he narrated The Incredible Hulk! Thanks for the info!
You're welcome, Betsy!
The Addams Family ran as reruns here in an annual cycle until at least the early 70s. Ted Cassidy spotting (star spotting in general) was a bit of an obsession with my older brother as I was growing up. It always came across to me that Ted was a" Big Man" in the industry.🤭
I'll show myself out.🤐
Sir, most excellent stuff you put out as always. You have that pleasant conveyance down to a science and we all know that your attitude is needed more than ever now!
You didn't mention his role on the Wild Wild West as Lovelace's big assistant. he was great there also.
My bad that was Richard Kiel. Great video still
Lots of folks confused the two actors. In fact, I believe that it was a source of frustration for Ted while he was alive.
Ted Cassidy did appear on WWW.
That was Richard Kiel. Kiel also played 'Jaws' in the Roger Moore, James Bond movies.
I got confused between actors Ted Cassidy and Richard Kiel. It was Kiel that was in The Wild Wild West. He not only played Dr. Loveless's assistant he also played a deformed son of the Buckley family.
Great video Dave. Like you I watched The Addam's Family but I also watched The Banana Splits and I saw that Ted had a voice role in one of their cartoon segments but I had no idea that he'd been on Star Trek or voiced the intro to The Ineradicable Hulk. Ya just learn something new every day :).
Didn't the Huck Finn cartoon with Ted get its start on The Banana Splits?
YES! I kept thinking he voiced a character from the Arabian Knights cartoon but you're right, he was "Injun Joe" in The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. (from Wikipedia) After the show's original run, the series continued to air in reruns as part of The Banana Splits and Friends Show syndication package.
And don't forget Meteor Man from the Galaxy Trio.
He was in McKenna's gold.
Lurch scared me as a kid and his voice was scary too
Same. Even as his role in Star Trek.
Wow, haven't thought about Ted Cassidy in a really long time. Thanks!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video, Cindy!
I read he was really smart and he grew up in my state of West Virginia went to college here and in Florida
i was a fan of mr. cassidy from way back. in the days before the internet i would ride my bike to town, go to the drug store and read gossip magazines just to get caught up on hollywood news. it was one such trip to the drug store in the summer of 1979 when i discovered ted had sadly passed away many months prior. i read about his passing in a rona barrett magazine where i read the sad news. i remember how alone i felt because there wasn't anyone to express my loss to.
6 million dollar man: Hey we need a new actor to play bigfoot."
Cassidy :
Here hold my beer
Ted certainly had a "Thing' for this gig! Pun intended. Nice episode Dave!
I wasn’t born until after The Adams Family was off the air. I was born in 67. But I remember coming home after school and watching it. And my twin brother and I laughing our butts off. Every time the phone in our house rang or the door bell rang, one of us or one of our other siblings would say You Rang in as deep a voice as we could muster. Then would laugh if the person on the other end got it. Our mom would get annoyed but that was part of the fun of it all.
I guess we were all exactly the same back then 4:35 ....ahhhhh what a life it truly was! EXCELLENT Bio as usual Dave!
Lurch was the cowbell of that show. - Never enough Lurch! More Lurch!
So true, SelectCircle!
Well Ted was a favorite of mine as a kid, I related in some ways as I was already six feet tall by 7th grade. And I still love the "You Rang" line. That one and "Missed it by that much", lol. Being 63 now and on my second round of cancer, I would so love shows like that again. One can always hope!
Was he not also the hand in addams family?
I believe he was, Joe!
@@jdsundstrom l thought l recognized that big hand somewhere 😁
@James Satterfield That's right. The hand was named thing.
Mr Cassidy really should have been paid for his handiwork!!
Wow Dave, that was the WORST “You Rang?” Evahhh!!! Lol
No doubt!
Great hearing about him. Growing up my favorite shows were the Addams Family, Leave It To Beaver and the REAL Star Trek.
So well done !!!!
It’s so obvious how much you care !!!
Thank you so much !!! Really quality
And fantastic !!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Mr. Homn, Lwaxana Troi's assistant on Star Trek TNG, Was that Ted Cassidy or Karel Struyckens, who played Lurch on the big screen?
Loved yet another of your shows. Thanks Dave.
Dave Sundstrom - Wonderful story. I have a question about the Butch & Sundance picture - is that a young Sam Elliott on the left ? He was in the movie & it looks a lot like him. Thanks for all your hard work!
Actually Dave, It wasn't Ted inside the Gorn costume, (that honor went to 3 other aciors)..but you were right about him supplying that unforgettable voice to Kirk's reptilian foe. Ted also supplied the voice to Balok's puppet in the episode The Corrbomite Maneuver.
Thanks for the clarification, Dimitri1701!
Still can find them on pluto app.. watch all the time
Thanks for the tip, bowpeep 50!
Your more than welcome have a blessed day..
Channel 310 in case anyone is looking for it
A nice tribute to a talented actor who is very much missed. Ted Cassidy was quite a voice talent too. (You can find his demo tape here on UA-cam.) As for the '60s dance craze known as "The Lurch," well, you have to see it to believe it (also on UA-cam). It's craaaaazy, man!
I enjoyed those Scooby Doo episodes in which they met famous people in each episode. I remember them meeting the Addams Family, Don Knots, The Three Stooges, The Harlem Globetrotters, etc. That was awesome!
Of course he died young. Ugh. I forgot his role on Butch and Sundance. He was good and it of course is a wonderful movie.
This channel is awesome. It brings me right back to Saturday morning cartoons and a bowl of captain crunch. #nostalgia
You nailed it, sir. Perfect casting. I just cannot think of anyone who could have brought Lurch to life better than Cassidy. I don't like type-casting either, but geez .... I just can't see Karloff .... or any of the other obvious choices doing what Cassidy did. :)
Totally agree, Mr. Hobbes!!
Excellent casting for everyone... except Cousin It. He definitely should have had more dialog.
LoL. Cousin Itt was adorable ❤️
Two things: I'll have you know I have incorporated, "You know, the good stuff" into my regular vernacular. And secondly, Pittsburgh-native Ted Cassidy was 6'9" and--believe it or not--Andre was NOT well over seven feet tall in real life. Because of his "big hair" he did look 7'4", but in reality he was most likely seven feet tall at his apex. In later years, he would have been a lot closer to Ted's height. They BOTH were 46 when they died.