He May Be the Creepiest and Kookiest Addams; The Uncle Fester Breakdown
From stand-in for the comic artist to modern explosion enthusiast, Uncle Fester is everybody’s favorite spooky uncle.
One of the three weirdest members of the Addams Family–Cousin Itt and Thing exist, after all–Uncle Fester is immediately recognizable, endlessly odd, and always delightful. But what’s his deal? What’s his history? And what makes him a key part of the creepiest and kookiest family that we all love to love?
Uncle Fester: The Basics
Uncle Fester is the uncle of the famously cooky and spooky Addams Family. He originated in the 1938 Addams Family New Yorker comics by Charles Addams, who later revealed that Fester was supposed to represent himself. In the original comics, Fester appears frequently but doesn’t have a name. He’s portrayed as a barrel-shaped bald man with a hunch of varying severity. He has dark, sunken eyes and is often seen with a deranged smile.
He’s likely modeled after a mix of the classic mad-scientist’s assistant style character and the mad scientist’s monster, and in many ways, his personality and quirks match this theme entirely. But in many other aspects of his characterization, Uncle Fester is a complete departure from the trope.
Fester’s, err, Unique Abilities
Fester Addams uncle has a number of bizarre behaviors and habits. For example, his shower is always set to the custom, “scalding” setting, and he has a tendency to be magnetic and have metal objects stick to him. Uncle Fester also has an especially hard head, allowing things like cannonballs to bounce off of his head seemingly harmlessly and putting his head in a vice for fun.
And of course, one of Uncle Fester’s most famous quirks is his ability to conduct and withstand electricity. The character is often seen lighting light bulbs in his mouth with nothing but the built-up electricity in his body. He claimed to withstand 110 volts at one point.
#1 Uncle
Perhaps most importantly, Uncle Fester is always portrayed as a loving and supportive family member. Despite his odd behaviors and generally menacing look, Fester is always endlessly loving to Morticia and Gomez. He also dotes on his niece and nephews. He’s often seen playing with the children. Even if “playing” in the Addams family looks a little more like crimes against humanity.
It’s unclear which parent, Gomez or Morticia, Fester is related to, but he’s clearly a big fan of them both. In the classic television show, he’s Morticia’s uncle and the children’s great-uncle. In more modern adaptations, he’s Gomez’s older brother.
Uncle Fester in Television & Movies
In 1964 the original Addams Family sitcom brought the characters to television for the first time. In this series, Fester—played by Jackie Coogan—spent a short time not entirely sure which side of the family he came from. But eventually recalled his past as Morticia’s maternal uncle. Throughout these series, he had a series of normal sitcom plotlines and adventures.
Conversely, The Addams Family and Addams Family Values movies of the early 90s switched up the canon. The first film introduced Fester as Gomez’s older brother. In the story he’s lost his memory after enduring some kind of trauma in the Bermuda Triangle.
Fester has been played by Stubby Kaye, Christopher Lloyd, Rip Taylor, Patrick Thomas, Michael Roberts, Nick Kroll, Fred Armisen in Netflix’s Wednesday, and Devin Chamberlin on Broadway.
Did you know how many people have played Fester over the years? What is your favorite of his quirks or abilities? Which version of the Addams Family is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
