Every Actress Who Shaped Wednesday Addams Before Jenna Ortega’s Breakout Role Revealed

Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of Wednesday Addams has been widely celebrated since the character’s 2022 TV debut, marking a career milestone for the Jenna Ortega Wednesday Addams actress. Ortega shared with the BBC that she was

“very grateful and glad that it (the show) was able to resonate with people in the way that it did.”

Her rise to fame through this role propelled her into prominent film projects, although she initially found adjusting to sudden stardom challenging.

Before Ortega’s breakout, several actresses contributed distinctive interpretations of the macabre, pigtail-wearing Wednesday Addams, a character created by American cartoonist Charles Addams. These earlier performers brought unique dimensions to Wednesday across television, film, and animation, each leaving a lasting legacy in the enduring legacy of the Addams Family.

Lisa Loring: The Original Wednesday on 1960s Television

Lisa Loring first brought Wednesday Addams to life in the 1964-1966 television sitcom The Addams Family, and reprised the role in the 1977 TV movie Halloween With The New Addams Family. Cast at just five years old, Loring was the pioneering actress to define Wednesday’s character on screen. She notably escaped the typical pitfalls of child stardom, later appearing in shows like The Pruitts of Southampton and As the World Turns, as well as in various horror films such as Blood Frenzy and Savage Harbor.

Loring’s portrayal influenced many future versions of Wednesday, particularly with traits like the character’s subdued, self-effacing demeanor and a sense of reluctant involvement in strange situations. Ortega’s viral dance from the 2022 show is acknowledged as a tribute to Loring’s style. Significantly, Loring was the first performer to use the name Wednesday, which Charles Addams adopted for his character inspired by the line

“Wednesday’s child is full of woe.”

Cindy Henderson’s Voice Role in 1970s Animation

During the early 1970s, Cindy Henderson voiced Wednesday Addams in the 1972 Wednesday Is Missing episode of The New Scooby-Doo Movies and the subsequent 1973 Hanna-Barbera animated series The Addams Family. Henderson’s Wednesday diverged notably from earlier portrayals by embracing a more light-hearted and whimsical nature, replacing the usual frown with a readiness to engage in slapstick humor consistent with Hanna-Barbera’s animated style.

This characterization helped make Wednesday accessible to younger audiences who might have been intimidated by live-action versions. Henderson’s skillful voice work crafted a memorable, playful version of Wednesday that softened the character’s gothic edge and broadened her appeal in animation.

Christina Ricci’s Iconic 1990s Film Interpretation

Christina Ricci’s interpretation of Wednesday Addams in the 1991 film The Addams Family and its 1993 sequel Addams Family Values is often regarded as the most mature and deeply nuanced to date. Already a prolific actress by her mid-teens, Ricci brought a sophisticated understanding of the character’s deadpan and gothic persona, skillfully adapting her facial expressions to suit the scene’s tone.

Director Barry Sonnenfeld praised her early in production, recounting a moment in which Ricci, at age 11, highlighted Wednesday’s emotional detachment:

“After a take of the first scene of the first ‘The Addams Family,’ I said to Christina — and remember, she’s 11 at the time — ‘That was very good, but I want you to look a little sadder in the next take.’ I started to walk away, and I heard this voice say, ‘Barry, I can’t be any sadder. Sadness is an emotion, and Wednesday has no emotions.’ So I thought quickly, and I said, ‘Okay, that’s a point.”

Ricci’s portrayal helped cement Wednesday as a gothic icon and set a high bar for future versions of the character, demonstrating depth beneath the morbid exterior.

Debi Derryberry’s 1990s Animated Wednesday

Debi Derryberry lent her voice to Wednesday in the 1992-1993 animated series inspired by the Sonnenfeld films. Known for voicing iconic characters like Jimmy Neutron, Derryberry’s Wednesday balanced the character’s macabre interests with a bubblier, more playful personality suitable for Saturday morning cartoons. This version retained Wednesday’s fascination with odd inventions and dark humor, often reflecting on her dangerous games and pranks with her brother Pugsley.

Although the show ran just 21 episodes, it sought to capture the spirit of the films while adapting Wednesday for a younger audience through animation. While it lacked the darker tone of the movies, Derryberry’s portrayal remains cherished by fans of 1990s cartoons.

Nicole Fugere’s Contribution in Late 1990s Adaptations

Nicole Fugere played Wednesday Addams in the 1998 direct-to-video film Addams Family Reunion and the accompanying syndicated series The New Addams Family. Unlike others, Fugere chose to step away from acting after fulfilling her commitments, pursuing a career outside Hollywood.

Her version of Wednesday highlighted the character’s mischievousness with a comedic edge, sharing the screen with luminaries like Tim Curry as Gomez Addams. Fugere was the only cast member to continue her role from the movie into the TV series. Though not as widely remembered as other portrayals, her Wednesday represents an important transitional figure in the character’s on-screen evolution.

Chloë Grace Moretz’s Modern Animated Take

Chloë Grace Moretz voiced Wednesday Addams in the 2019 animated movie The Addams Family and its 2021 sequel. Already an accomplished actress by age 28, Moretz’s Wednesday brought a contemporary twist, blending teenage rebellion with a demand for education and self-determination. This depiction emphasized science and reason over supernatural elements, broadening audience interest beyond traditional gothic roots.

Moretz openly admired Christina Ricci’s famous live-action portrayal while choosing to craft an independent interpretation. Her Wednesday is characterized by vibrant clothing and spirited defiance, making the character relatable to a new generation.

Jenna Ortega’s Defining Performance in the 2022 Series

Building upon decades of interpretations, Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Addams in the 2022 Netflix series became a breakout role, resonating with audiences worldwide. Ortega’s version combines the classic deadpan humor and gothic sensibility with modern themes of identity and empowerment, reinvigorating the character for contemporary viewers.

Ortega herself has expressed gratitude for the show’s impact and influence, noting how the role challenged her to grow amidst newfound fame. This success opened the door for her to expand into blockbuster films, securing her place as a leading young actress in Hollywood.

The legacy of Wednesday Addams reflects the creative contributions of many talented actresses across different eras, each adding new layers to the enigmatic and beloved character. Jenna Ortega’s acclaimed performance continues this tradition, honoring past iterations while pushing the character into exciting new directions for today’s audiences.