Biografia

Is a huge fan of the works of Edgar Allan Poe, and studies Poe's works extensively. He has regularly attended Baltimore's yearly celebration of Poe's birthday.

During a speech given at Booker High School in Sarasota, Florida, he told the crowd of students that he never has, and never will watch any of the new Addams Family films. He did not give his reasons why.

Has been involved with more productions of "The Addams Family" than any other actor in history. From playing the family patriarch, Gomez Addams, On La famiglia Addams (1964), Halloween con la famiglia Addams (1977) and The Addams Family (1992); the grandfather On The New Addams Family (1998); and even in a way, himself who loves and will always be associated with "The Addams Family", in films with spoofs like Il silenzio dei prosciutti (1994).

Son Sean Astin is not his biological child. He is ex-wife Patty Duke's son with her ex-husband Michael Tell. Duke claimed Sean's biological father was John Astin until the two blood-tested in 1990 and this became clear that Tell was the father.

Has played the same character (Gomez Addams) on three different series: La famiglia Addams (1964), The New Scooby-Doo Movies (1972) and The Addams Family (1992).

[on filming La famiglia Addams (1964)] Sometimes it was tough doing take after take upside down! I did a lot of that sort of thing.

I figure I basically am a ghost. I think we all are.

I get into certain yoga positions at times, when I'm working out and for exercises. I use a little of it in some of my meditation, but I chant now and that sort of replaced it.

Poe was a student of many things, and among those things he read and referred to in his work was the Bible.

People are transported to that space that Poe wanted to make available to us.