what is lurch addams family

Lurch is a fictional character from "The Addams Family," originally created by American cartoonist Charles Addams. He serves as the tall, gloomy butler of the Addams Family. Lurch is notable for his towering height (6 ft 9 in or 2.06 m) and his slow, shambling movements, often resembling Frankenstein's monster in appearance. Although he can speak normally, he typically communicates in simple moans, which the Addams Family understands perfectly. He is loyal and faithful to the family, despite occasionally showing signs of frustration with them. Lurch is summoned by a bell pull shaped like a hangman's noose, to which he responds with the famous line, "You... rang?" He performs various tasks around the house and sometimes exhibits great strength, which occasionally causes trouble. His character is somewhat of a joke within the family but clearly a cherished member. Throughout the adaptations, Lurch has appeared in the original 1960s television series, several films, animated versions, and the recent Netflix series "Wednesday," where he was portrayed by different actors. His backstory is somewhat mysterious, with suggestions that he might be part Addams or a creation similar to Frankenstein's monster, with the 2019 animated film portraying him as an escaped mental patient who joins the family as their butler. Lurch's character adds to the macabre and quirky nature of the Addams Family household, serving both practical and comedic roles.