Mysterious and Spooky, and Now Older

It’s time to break out the cake and candles for John Astin. The Baltimore-born actor and director turns 80 years old today.

Although probably still best remembered for his portrayal of Gomez Addams in the 1960s monster sitcom The Addams Family, Astin also played The Riddler during one season of Batman and enjoyed recurring roles on both Night Court and The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. His professional résumé actually runs to Roman scroll length and includes guest appearances on The Wild Wild West, Bonanza, Night Gallery, Police Woman, Get Christie Love!, The Father Dowling Mysteries, Simon & Simon, Burke’s Law, and Murder, She Wrote. Astin directed episodes of CHiPs and McMillan & Wife (on the latter of which he also played Sykes, who, if I recall correctly, was a police forensics specialist). He continues to act; he’s slated to appear in the 2010 science-fiction/comedy film Starship II: Rendezvous with Ramses. And Astin has earned plaudits for his in-character recitals of Edgar Allan Poe works.

Once married to child star Patty Duke, he currently teaches acting and directing at his alma mater, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Astin is a “practicing Buddhist” ... though why he’s been practicing for so long without getting it right is anybody’s guess.

Hey, it’s a joke. Given Astin’s work history, it seemed appropriate.