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John Astin

John Astin

Actor, also director · Born March 30, 1930 (96) · Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Dark haired, usually mustachioed US actor with a cheeky grin who achieved pop culture status through his portrayal of the kooky patriarch "Gomez Addams" in the hit TV series The Addams Family (1964). John Astin standing at a height of 5' 11" (1.8 m) was born March 30, 1930 (Aries), in Baltimore, MD as John Allen Astin to Allen V. Astin and Margaret Astin with a brother Alexander Astin. He is an American actor, voice actor and director. He attended Washington, Jefferson College and Johns Hopkins University where he studied mathematics. However he discovered a passion for the theater and began performing in minor plays and doing voice-over work for commercials. Married Suzanne Hahn on March 26, 1956, had 3 sons: David Aston (born 1953), Allen J. Astin (born March 23, 1961) and Thomas E. Astin (born March 19, 1965), then divorced June 14, 1972. He first got noticed in a small role in West Side Story (1961), then appeared in several other films, That Touch of Mink (1962), Move Over Darling (1963), before being cast as "Gomez Addams". While "The Addams Family (1964–1966)" was initially a huge hit, its popularity petered out after two years, and Astin moved on to other work including the offbeat Bunny O'Hare (1971), playing a grizzled but not particularly bright gunfighter in the western spoof Evil Roy Slade (1972), an appearance in the Disney comedy Freaky Friday (1976), reprising the role in the television film Halloween with the New Addams Family (1977) and dual roles in National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985), Teen Wolf Too (1987) and The Frighteners (1996). Married Patty Duke on August 5, 1972, had 2 sons: Mackenzie Astin (born May 12, 1973) and adopted Sean Astin (born February 25, 1971), when he was 3 years old, then divorced November 3, 1985. Roughly four years later, he married Valerie Ann Sandobal on March 19, 1989 and is still presently married. He has since lent his comedic talents to numerous appearances as "Dr. Gangreen" in several corny "Killer Tomato" movies, and has contributed his voice to recreate "Gomez Addams" in the animated series The Addams Family (1992), and then played "Grandpa Addams" in the short-lived TV series The New Addams Family (1998). In addition, Astin has contributed voices to several animated shows, and is still active (1957-present) regularly appearing in films. Currently resides in Baltimore, Maryland with current wife. Astin was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for his directorial debut, the comedic short Prelude (1968).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 30, 1930 (96)
From
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Works as
Actor, also director
Titles
63 on Motif · 129 credits in all

What are John Astin's films like?

Across their 30 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

What they feel like to watch

their average across 25 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category

A split, not a type: Ironic 7 · Wry 4 · Earnest 13

Light 21 · Serious 3 · Dark 1

Grounded 8 · Stylized 11 · Heightened 6

Gentle 16 · Charged 7 · Intense 2

A split, not a type: Steady 16 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 6

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 15

A split, not a type: Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 3

Casual 22 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

Resolved 23 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

19 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 5 of 19 analyzed roles.

Shadow
5 of 19
Hero
4 of 19
Trickster
3 of 19
Shapeshifter
3 of 19
Ally
2 of 19
Mentor
2 of 19
Show the 19 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
18
Joyful
14
Warm
10
Tense
7
Romantic
4
Other
22

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy23
  • Bittersweet2
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch John Astin's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 39 of their 63 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (22).

Subscription and free streaming for John Astin's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

129 credits, 63 with a Motif page; 9 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films
  • Justice League Action(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Uncle Dudley (voice)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows
  • Betaville (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    as President Sender

  • School of Life(2005)

    as Norman Warner

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films
  • As Told by Ginger (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dave Bishop (voice)

  • Becker (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard Wilson

  • The New Addams Family (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Grandpapa Addams

  • The Hughleys (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Crump

  • The Wild Thornberrys(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as The Great Bangaboo (voice)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows
  • Recess(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Supt. Skinner (voice)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows
  • Quack Pack(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Roborson (voice)

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows
  • The Frighteners(1996)

    as The Judge

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films
  • The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 58 episodes · as (voice)

  • Pinky and the Brain(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows
  • Harrison Bergeron(1995)

    as Golf Announcer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films
  • Runaway Daughters (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    as Fred

  • Rebel Highway (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Minuteman (Fred)

  • The Silence of the Hams(1994)

    as The Ranger

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films
  • Duckman (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 5 episodes · as Terry Duke Tetzloff (voice)

  • Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films
  • Burke's Law (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Alexander the Great

  • The Nanny(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Roberts

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows
  • Problem Child (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 13 episodes · as Additional Voices (voice)

  • The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.(1993)

    Show 7 episodes · as Prof. Albert Wickwire

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows
  • Stepmonster (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Minister

  • Killer Tomatoes Eat France!(1992)

    as Prof. Mortimer Gangreen

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films
  • Mad About You(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as John Astin

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows
  • The Addams Family (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 39 episodes · as Gomez Addams (voice)

  • Killer Tomatoes Strike Back! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as Jeronahew/Prof. Gangreen

  • Step by Step(1991)

    Show 2 episodes · as George Humphries

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows
  • Eerie, Indiana(1991)

    Show 5 episodes · as Radford

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows
  • Taz-Mania (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 123 episodes · as Bull Gator (voice)

  • They Came from Outer Space (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Neville Nessen

  • Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 21 episodes · as Dr. Gangreen (voice)

  • Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films
  • Night Life(1989)

    as Verlin Flanders

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films
  • The Saint: The Blue Dulac (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as George Lafosse

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Nelson Halliwell

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows
  • Mystery Magical Special (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    as John Astin

  • Return of the Killer Tomatoes!(1988)

    as Prof. Gangreen

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films
  • Teen Wolf Too(1987)

    as Dean Dunn

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films
  • The Charmings (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Body Slam(1986)

    as Scotty

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films
  • Mr. Boogedy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as Neil Witherspoon

  • Mary (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 13 episodes · as Ed LaSalle

  • Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films
  • Otherworld (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Akin

  • Charles in Charge(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Uncle Joe

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows
  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 3 episodes · Director · as Fritz Randall · as Harry Pierce · as Ross Hayley

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows
  • Night Court(1984)

    Show 10 episodes · as Buddy Ryan · as Kenny

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows
  • Riptide (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Baxter Bernard

  • Just Our Luck (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Kevin

  • Simon & Simon (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Mr. Merlin (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Facts of Life(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows
  • Diff'rent Strokes (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Fantasy Island(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Charles Preston

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows
  • Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films
  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · as David Crothers

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows
  • Operation Petticoat (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 23 episodes · as Lt. Commander Matthew Sherman

  • CHiPs(1977)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows
  • Rosetti and Ryan: Men Who Love Women (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Director

  • Lanigan's Rabbi (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Freaky Friday(1976)

    as Bill Andrews

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
  • Welcome Back, Kotter(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows
  • The Bob Crane Show (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Dream Makers (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    as Manny Wheeler

  • Only with Married Men(1974)

    as Dr. Harvey Osterman

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • Police Woman (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Donny

  • Hard Day at Blue Nose (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1974)

    as Greenburg

  • Skyway to Death (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1974)

    as Andrew Tustin

  • The Brothers O'Toole(1973)

    as Michael O'Toole

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films
  • Police Story (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Scooby-Doo Meets The Addams Family (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    as Gomez Addams (Voice)

  • Ghost Story (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Fred Colby

  • Temperatures Rising (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Russo

  • The New Scooby-Doo Movies(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Gomez Addams (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows
  • Every Little Crook and Nanny (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    as Vito Garbugli

  • Get to Know Your Rabbit(1972)

    as Mr. Turnbull

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films
  • Evil Roy Slade(1972)

    as Evil Roy Slade

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films
  • Wacky Taxi(1972)

    Director · as Pepper

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films
  • Two on a Bench(1971)

    as Dr. Stanley Remington

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
  • Bunny O'Hare (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    as Ad O'Hare

  • McMillan & Wife(1971)

    Show 3 episodes · Director · as Sykes

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows
  • Night Gallery(1969)

    Show 3 episodes · Director · as Jonathan (segment "Pamela's Voice") · as Munsch · as Randy Miller

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows
  • The Partridge Family(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Millionaire Sidney Rose

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows
  • The Odd Couple(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Beau Biffingham

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows
  • Viva Max! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    as Sergeant Valdez

  • Love, American Style (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Alfred · as Charlie Mancini

  • Candy(1968)

    as T.M. Christian / Jack Christian

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films
  • The Doris Day Show(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim Keatley

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows
  • Prelude (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    Director · Producer · Writer · Actor

  • The Flying Nun (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • He & She (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Melvin Krillman

  • The Spirit Is Willing(1967)

    as Dr. Frieden

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films
  • CBS Playhouse (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Perry Clark

  • Occasional Wife (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hey Landlord! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Pruitts of Southampton (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 4 episodes · as Rudy Pruitt

  • Batman(1966)

    Show 2 episodes · as The Riddler

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows
  • The Wild Wild West (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Addams Family(1964)

    Show 64 episodes · as Gomez Addams

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows
  • Move Over, Darling(1963)

    as Clyde Prokey

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films
  • The Wheeler Dealers(1963)

    as Hector Vanson

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films
  • The Greatest Show on Earth (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Bartley

  • Billy Rose's Jumbo(1962)

    as Pilot

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
  • Period of Adjustment(1962)

    as Smoky Anderson (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
  • I'm Dickens, He's Fenster (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 32 episodes · as Harry Dickens

  • The Virginian (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Slick Driscoll

  • That Touch of Mink(1962)

    as Mr. Everett Beasley

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films
  • West Side Story(1961)

    as Glad Hand (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films
  • Ben Casey (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hazel(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Hal Gordon

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows
  • 87th Precinct (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Cassidy

  • The Asphalt Jungle (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Peter Loves Mary (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe

  • Route 66(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Benson · as Gas Attendant

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows
  • Outlaws (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Checkmate (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim Poole

  • The Pusher(1960)

    as Detective

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films
  • Dennis the Menace(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows
  • The Twilight Zone(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows
  • 77 Sunset Strip (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Martin Grosch

  • The Donna Reed Show(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows
  • The Kiss (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1958)

    as Male Necker

  • Maverick(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe Lambert

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows
  • The Night America Trembled (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    as Reporter

  • Gunsmoke (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Hard-Luck Henry Haggen

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 129 titles from 1955 to 2026; peak year 1991.

Film career

19552026

Peak 1991 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 6 Motif titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting124 of 129: 119 only acting, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score51stDirecting10 of 129: 5 only directing, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score62ndWriting1 of 129: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing1 of 129: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

129 titles, 5 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 5 of them.

By decade

1950s8 · acting1960s33 · 33 acting · 1 crew1970s33 · 30 acting · 6 crew1980s20 · 18 acting · 3 crew1990s30 · acting2000s3 · acting2010s1 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 11% of 19 roles
627792

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do John Astin's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 36th percentile, the median of all 30; across their 25 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 34th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Approval · how many liked their films

33rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Reach · how many have seen their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Midcredits score across 63 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th18
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

31 of their 63 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser31
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed20

Reviewers score the acting 59/100 in their films, across 23 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is John Astin's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 Motif titles with content scores, frightening / intense runs lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles5–49 · median 35 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles8–57 · median 24 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles1–52 · median 26 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs6 titles25–36 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles4–53 · median 10 · minimallighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does John Astin work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Astin's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jerry Paris shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers

Producers