Ted Cassidy unusual character roles. His most famous role was Lurch on "The Addams Family" (in which he feigned playing the harpsichord). He also played the character named Thing (associate producer Jack Voglin would take over the "Thing" role in scenes with both characters). Though the character of Lurch was intended to be mute, Cassidy ad-libbed his signature line, "You rang?" The subtle humor and the deepness of his voice was immediately a hit. Thereafter, it was a recurring phrase written into the script. Cassidy would reprise the role of Lurch in later appearances. In the "Batman" episode "The Penguin's Nest" (1966),
Lurch (The Addams Family) is Wednesday's best friend. He has a paternal affection for both Wednesday and Pugsley. Although his job title is limited to "butler", he seems to be a "jack of all trades" when it comes to the children, doing everything from taking them to school to making them lunch to keeping an eye on them around the house. He is close friends with the disembodied hand Thing. He is often seen playing the opening theme tune on the harpsichord. (Cassidy played on a dead keyboard; Vic Mizzy, the show's musical director, played the actual tunes.) As originally conceived, Lurch was to