Actor Ted Cassidy died on January 16th, 1979, at the age of 46. He had a long and successful career in film and television, notable for his roles as Lurch in the television comedy series 'The Addams Family' and 'The Man-Thing' in Marvel Comics adaptations. He was also well-known as a voice actor, lending his voice to animated series such as 'The Pink Panther' and 'The Yogi Bear Show'. He also had stage roles and was active in dramatic performances and commercials. In spite of his acting success, Cassidy was no stranger to hard work, as he had worked stints in his early career as a truck driver and bouncer. He attended several universities and served in the Pennsylvania National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves. During his later years, Cassidy remained an iconic presence in the entertainment industry, and he was credited with the unforgettable, characteristic roles he built throughout his life.