From 1964-1966, Lisa Loring provided an iconic portrayal of Wednesday Addams in the original live-action "Addams Family" series. Last Sunday, her death was confirmed after a massive stroke. At 64, Loring left behind two daughters, a legacy of pop culture excellence, and a fondly remembered “Drew” that she demonstrated on-screen.
Jenna Ortega, who portrays Wednesday in the modern Netflix adaptation, paid homage to Loring in a Season 1 episode with her own version of the dance. As she explained on The Tonight Show, “I knew there were certain things I wanted to do. I paid homage to Lisa Loring, the first Wednesday Addams. I did a little bit of her shuffle that she does.”
In addition to her performance as Wednesday, Loring starred in many other shows and movies including “As the World Turns”, “Fantasy Island”, and “The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.”. After her stint on “The Addams Family,” she moved on to do makeup work on adult films, creating the alter-ego she operated under, Maxine Factor.
This weekend, actress and fans alike paid tribute to Loring and her iconic Wednesday. As her friend Laura Jacobson wrote on Facebook, “She is embedded in the tapestry that is pop culture and in our hearts always as Wednesday Addams. Beautiful, kind, a loving mother, Lisa's legacy in the world of entertainment is huge. And the legacy for her family and friends-- a wealth of humor, affection and love will long play in our memories. RIP, Lisa. Damn, girl... you were a ton of fun.”