Actor Who Played Cousin Itt on TV's "The Addams Family" Dies at 84
2023-07-03 13:19:05 By : admin
Felix Silla, the iconic actor who portrayed Cousin Itt on TV's "The Addams Family", passed away on Friday after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer. Silla was 84 years old.
Born in Italy, Silla began his career as a circus performer before transitioning to acting. His diminutive stature - he stood just four feet, four inches tall - made him a natural fit for roles that required a small but memorable presence. He appeared in a number of classic TV shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including "Bewitched", "The Monkees", and "Star Trek".
But it was his role as Cousin Itt, the hair-covered member of the Addams family, that would come to define his career. Silla appeared in 17 episodes of the original TV series, often stealing scenes with his unintelligible, gibberish-laden dialogue. He also reprised the role in the 1993 film adaptation of "The Addams Family".
Silla's unique look and talent for physical comedy made him a valuable addition to the entertainment industry. In addition to his work on "The Addams Family", he appeared in a number of other iconic TV shows, including "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", "Batman", and "The Twilight Zone". He also appeared in a number of films, including "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi", in which he played the Ewok "Wicket".
Beyond his work in front of the camera, Silla was also an accomplished stuntman and performer. He worked as a stunt double for children in a number of films, including "The Towering Inferno" and "Battle for the Planet of the Apes". He also performed as a stuntman in several episodes of "The Dukes of Hazzard".
Silla's passing was mourned by fans and colleagues alike. Many took to social media to share their memories of the iconic actor and his unique contributions to the entertainment industry. Actor Mark Hamill, who worked with Silla on "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi", tweeted "Felix Silla was a talented man who could play anything. The fans who knew him as the evil villain 'Twiki' on Buck Rogers, the mysterious 'Cousin Itt' on The Addams Family or the courageous 'Ewok' in Star Wars knew him as a legend passed."
Silla's legacy will live on through his many memorable performances and the impact he had on the entertainment industry. His unique talents and infectious energy will be missed by fans around the world.