Ken Weatherwax

Birth Name:

Kenneth Patrick Weatherwax

Birth Date:

September 29, 1955

Birth Place:

Los Angeles, California

Death Date:

December 7, 2014

Place of Death:

West Hills, California

Age:

Cause of Death:

Heart attack

Cemetery Name:

Valhalla Memorial Park

Claim to Fame:

Show Business

Ken Weatherwax was best known as Pugsley on The Addams Family television series. The young actor came from a theatrical family. His aunt was Ruby Keeler, memorable for her role in 42nd Street. In addition, Ken was the nephew of Rudd Weatherwax, the trainer for the original Lassie. Weatherwax made his acting debut in the early 1960s when he was age 9, playing a boy named Chester in a commercial for Gleem toothpaste. Charles Addams, writer for The Addams Family, helped select Ken for the role of Pugsley. Charles felt that Ken was perfect for the part because he possessed a maniacal smile and a very strange personality. Dismissing acting as a career, Weatherwax found himself more comfortable behind-the-scenes as a grip for television shows for more than a decade, including stints on The A-Team and Full House. And while he remained close friends with Lisa Loring (Wednesday Addams) Ken only returned one time to reprise his role as Pugsly in the 1977 reunion film Halloween with the New Addams Family.

Ken Writes About The Addams Family

I was seven years old when the show began and it ran for three years and was honored with top ratings in the early 60’s. As I remember my days on the set, I recall a very low budget for special effects (so therefore several people were called upon to play the part of “The Thing!”). I also recall using lots of fishing line and dry ice! My mother was required by law to be on the set with me as well as a Social Worker who was there to protect me as a child actor, and to oversee my education which amounted to 3 hours daily from a workbook. I remember very long days of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. This show ran for 3 years, and was cancelled in 1964.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Valhalla Memorial Park

10621 Victory Boulevard

North Hollywood, California, 91606

USA

North America

Map:

Map of Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood, California

Grave Location:

Mausoleum of Eternal Love, South Wall, Row 2

Grave Location Description

As you enter the cemetery turn right and then follow the road to the first fountain to the left. As you approach the fountain turn right and then make the first right turn, Drive straight ahead to the next fountain and park. Looking to your left at the Mausoleum of Eternal Love, walk to the right and the wall facing the fountain on the 2nd row, 5 spaces from the right is the final resting place of actor and former cast member of the beloved Addams Family, Ken Weatherwax.