'Addams Family' and 'Star Wars' actor Felix Silla dies at 84

Felix Silla, the actor who played Addams family member Cousin Itt, has died at 84, reported Variety.

His Buck Rogers in the 25th Century cast member Gil Gerard confirmed the news on Twitter. “Felix died just a few hours ago and the only good I can draw from his passing is that he didn’t suffer any longer,” he wrote. “I will miss him terribly, especially the time we had at our panels. Just telling me to go ‘f myself.’”

Silla passed away on Friday after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. A longtime resident of Las Vegas, Silla used to perform with his own musical combo, The Original Harmonica Band, aside from doing films.

Born in a small village outside Rome, Italy in January 1937, Silla arrived in the US in 1955. A trained circus performer, he toured with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Show, which ultimately led him to Hollywood. His skills as a tumbler, bareback rider and trapeze artist landed him stuntman roles, beginning with 1963 comedy A Ticklish Affair.

Her also worked as a body double, often for children, in films like The Towering Inferno (1974) and Battlestar Galactica (1978). He also appeared in the original Star Trek, Space Ball and Star Wars: Episode VI as Ewok.

Before his series of roles in science fiction productions, Silla played Cousin Itt, part of the kooky clan on The Addams Family, which aired from 1964-1966 on ABC. His costume was a single body-length hairpiece topped by a bowler hat and pair of sunglasses. A Los Angeles Times interview revealed the costume was in fact made out of real human hair.

Silla is survived by his wife Sue and their children Bonnie and Michael. The couple had been married since 1965.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.