Jackie Coogan, actor, born John Leslie Coogan, Jr.

American (b. Los Angeles, California, 1914-1984)

Recognized for his character as Uncle Fester in the television series, The Addams Family (1964-1966), Coogan first began acting as a child. An international screen celebrity by the age of seven, he earned approximately $4 million dollars during the next decade. Unable to collect his money, which was held in a trust fund by his mother and stepfather, Coogan sued. The case led to the creation of the California Child Actors Bill, also known as the Coogan Act, which protects child actors by creating trusts governed by the court. Coogan's films include The Kid (1921), Johnny Get Your Haircut (1927) and Old Clothes (1929).

Beth Bishop 1996