S3E15: Son Of LURCH

The How NOT To Make A Movie Podcast

Even among iconic TV characters from the 1960’s, few remain as iconic as LURCH from THE ADDAMS FAMILY. As often happens when a particular actor fills a particular role, TED CASSIDY became synonymous with his creature. A little overly synonymous from Ted’s perspective. Today’s guest – Ted’s son SEAN CASSIDY (the “Son Of Lurch“) – reminds us that his dad was way, way more than just Lurch.

Ted Cassidy appeared in lots of feature films (playing in many what he called “Seize him!” roles where he – as the tall, threatening guy – seized people on command from the big boss). One of those “Seize Him!” roles is iconic its own way. Ted played HARVEY LOGAN in BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID where he got to speak one of the greatest movie lines of all time (“Rules? In a knife fight? No rules!”)

Ted Cassidy as Harvey Logan in “Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid”: Rules? In a knife fight? NO RULES…!

That’s just before Paul Newman’s Butch Cassidy kicks him right in the nuts.

Growing Up With Lurch

Sean will tell us what it was like growing up in Hollywood in the 1960’s and 1970’s (spoiler alert – it was wild!) having a parent in show biz. Even ordinary life was a little extraordinary.

Ted Cassidy and wife Margaret chilling at home.

Ted Cassidy with his kids – Sean and Cameron.

We’ll talk about Ted’s voice over work (he was prolific and successful working on shows like THE INCREDIBLE HULK, ATOM ANT, FANTASTIC FOUR, GODZILLA, SUPER FRIENDS and FLASH GORDON. He got hired on a lot of ads – both voice and appearance. And, Ted wrote and co-wrote a couple of screenplays including The Harrad Experiment.

Did we mention Ted was a musician, too! Turns out Ted Cassidy was way, WAY more than we realized. He was a kind of Hollywood Renaissance Man.

So, join us as we meet the Ted Cassidy you haven’t met – until now!