Long before Christina Ricci and Jenna Ortega’s, Lisa Loring brought the character of Wednesday Addams to life. Loring was the first actor to bring the precocious, gothic child to life on television before becoming overshadowed by future portrayals. 

Unfortunately, Lisa Loring, the original Wednesday Addams of ‘The Addams Family,’ died last week. The actress passed away last week on January 28, 2023, due to a complicated disease. Learn more about the life and death of Lisa Loring.

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Who Was Lisa Loring?

Lisa Loring is credited with being the first actress to play Wednesday Addams. She portrayed the role on ABC’s ‘The Addams Family’ series from 1964 to 1966. Her short-lived part served as an excellent precedent for shaping future performances. Jenna Ortega’s viral dance routine for ‘Wednesday’ was inspired by Lisa Loring’s performance. 

Lisa Loring began modeling at age three, with ‘The Addams Family’ as her most famous screen credit. She also appeared on the ABC sitcom ‘The Pruitts of Southampton’ and the CBS soap opera ‘As the World Turns.’ Her film work includes low-budget slasher films ‘Blood Frenzy’ (1987) and ‘Iced’ (1988).

In Case You Missed: Why Jenna Ortega Donned A Black Veil At Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ Premiere

How Did Lisa Loring Die?

‘The Addams Family’ actor died at 64. Before her death, she was also a regular fixture at film and comic book conventions.

She passed away last Saturday at St Joseph Medical Center in California, US. Talking to ‘The Hollywood Reporter,’ Vannessa Foumber, her daughter, revealed the cause of death to be complications from a stroke caused by high blood pressure. Vanessa said, “She went peacefully with both her daughters [Vanessa and Marianne] holding her hands.“

There’s been an outpouring of loving remembrances and condolences for Lisa Loring. Laurie Jacobson, a close friend of the deceased, reported her death on Facebook, posting that Loring “suffered a massive stroke brought on by smoking and high blood pressure.” She was on life support for three days before her family decided to pull the plug.

Jacobson paid tribute to Loring’s passing, posting, “She is embedded in the tapestry that is pop culture and in our hearts always as Wednesday Addams.” A pioneer of iconic child performances, she will be missed.

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