# Id this tall actor (Red Skelton's "The Christmas Spirit" (1966) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [May 3, 2026, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755 "2026-05-03T19:38:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/1 "2026-05-03T19:38:47Z")
You can see him [Here right after the 20:00 mark.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwd0fVMtDOY&t=2s) It’s his only scene. Tall actors of that era would be Richard Kiel, Ted Cassidy, and as a long shot, James Daris. Quality isn’t well enough to trust my eyes to make a positive id, although I don’t think it’s Cassidy. Hard to find pics of Daris to compare, probably best images might be in a Hawaii Five-O, Time Tunnel, or Mannix episode. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/2 "2026-05-03T19:44:07Z")
It looks like Ted Cassidy to me. Here he is without makeup. [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQYyhBcoAC20gpaIqo306JC2To8TJvp3pD7mfo0A_fMfiY86njWaZdFJM0&s) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQYyhBcoAC20gpaIqo306JC2To8TJvp3pD7mfo0A_fMfiY86njWaZdFJM0&s) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/3 "2026-05-03T19:48:43Z")
I’d say Ted Cassidy too. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/4 "2026-05-03T19:50:23Z")
OK. I guess the I couldn’t see past the dark brown hair, which Cassidy didn’t normally have IRL. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/5 "2026-05-03T20:15:03Z")
Ted Cassidy isn’t listed in the credits at the end of the episode. He isn’t listed in the acting appearances in his IMDb television appearances as ever having been on the show. Sometimes extras are not credited in the credits for a television show. However, at that point he had already been the fourth highest listed actor in _The Addams Family_ for all 64 episodes of the two years it was on television (and that was from 1964 to 1966). That’s a rather strange thing to not list a well-known actor in the credits. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/6 "2026-05-03T20:15:24Z")
I can just imagine him saying “You rang?” as he walks through that door! ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/7 "2026-05-03T21:29:37Z")
I know you meant well. 🙂 Anyway. . . the credits for bit players on variety shows are sketchy. Sometimes they’re listed at the end. Sometimes with a voiceover, and sometimes not at all. No one in those days would have considered the thought that some people with too much time on their hands would be trying to build a comprehensive (to the extent possible) listing of tv programs and movies and the actors therein, credited and uncredited. The closest thing at one time was the old “Videolog” yellow pages books that Blockbuster and probably others carried. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/8 "2026-05-03T21:37:05Z")
Why would Ted Cassidy take a role as a bit player (a.k.a. extra) in a television episode in 1966? As I said in my previous post, he’d already been a star for two years in _The Addams Family_. Wouldn’t he turn down any part that was that small? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/9 "2026-05-03T22:29:18Z")
I don’t think it’s Ted Cassidy. It doesn’t resemble him that much except for the extended lower jaw. But _a lot_ of extremely tall people had that extended lower jaw. Even though [Ted Cassidy’s son Sean claims that neither Ted nor he suffered from gigantism](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cCXeqJ7Eak&t=1842) (I assume he means acromegaly, caused from a pituitary disorder), that’s doubtful, as they look just like they have it, as does everyone else with the disorder (which is usually treated when it becomes apparent nowadays). ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/10 "2026-05-03T22:55:11Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > I know you meant well. 🙂 > > Anyway. . . the credits for bit players on variety shows are sketchy. I would think all the comedy bits would be sketchy. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/11 "2026-05-03T22:57:59Z")
So sorry to derail, but this is a good opportunity to share my favorite Ted Cassidy fact: Cassidy was a radio reporter in Dallas in the early 1960s. One day he heard a commotion outside and went out to investigate. JFK had just been assassinated. Cassidy was among the first to interview key witnesses at the scene, and provided ongoing updates over the air as event unfolded. mmm ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/12 "2026-05-03T23:28:13Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > this is a good opportunity to share my favorite Ted Cassidy fact: More trivia: His Wikipedia page says that although he pretended to play harpsichord on The Addams Family, “he was an accomplished musician and moonlighted playing an organ for patrons of a [Luby’s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luby's) Cafeteria in Dallas’ Lochwood Shopping Center.[” ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/13 "2026-05-03T23:35:05Z")
The articles about acromegaly and gigantism in Wikipedia seem to say that they are different conditions. A height of 6’ 9" is close to being on the line above which it’s possible to say that a male has gigantism. Most people underestimate the number of very tall people. The tallest person we have good evidence for was 8’ 11.5". I think that before saying that a 6’ 9’’ male has gigantism we should learn how tall other people in his family were ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/14 "2026-05-03T23:42:06Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > The articles about acromegaly and gigantism in Wikipedia seem to say that they are different conditions. It’s called Gigantism when it begins while they’re still a child. Acromegaly when it begins in adulthood. Same cause - pituitary problems. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/15 "2026-05-03T23:53:29Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I would think all the comedy bits would be sketchy. You do know that comedian hell is filled with people stealing the same joke over and over. (but I liked it) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/16 "2026-05-04T00:17:54Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > > [@RealityChuck](#): > > > > I would think all the comedy bits would be sketchy. > > You do know that comedian hell is filled with people stealing the same joke over and over. > > (but I liked it)- Comedian heaven is filled with those who thought they were first. The debate ends in a draw. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/17 "2026-05-04T00:26:18Z")
With regard to Cassidy’s having or not having gigantism or acromegaly, the fact that his son said he didn’t is irrelevant. If something about a person’s medical condition isn’t sourced to a medical professional, the accuracy is sketchy. And as for why he might have taken the job without credit? Why not? He would certainly have gotten at least scale, and for an actor it can be hard to turn down a paycheck. At that time most of his credits were cartoon voiceovers, and I suspect for most of cartoon history most voice actors weren’t getting any serious coin. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/18 "2026-05-04T01:07:05Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > Why would Ted Cassidy take a role as a bit player (a.k.a. extra) in a television episode in 1966? As I said in my previous post, he’d already been a star for two years in _The Addams Family_. Wouldn’t he turn down any part that was that small? [This page at red-skelton.info](https://red-skelton.info/tv/the-christmas-spirit/) says that’s a butler but not who plays him. Having Ted Cassidy as a sight gag makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/19 "2026-05-04T01:25:04Z")
Could be Richard Kiel. Here he is in a “Wild Wild West” episode, same year. [![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BODIxODJlMjgtNTY0ZS00MjdkLWI2OTUtZThkZjkzZjc1OTM2XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_.jpg) ](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BODIxODJlMjgtNTY0ZS00MjdkLWI2OTUtZThkZjkzZjc1OTM2XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_.jpg) Color image from something called _The Las Vegas Hillbillys_, also same year. [![](https://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Las-Vegas-Kiel.png) ](https://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Las-Vegas-Kiel.png) James Daris had the chin shadow, though. James in '72: [![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYTI5YmVkNmYtMTNiNC00NTkzLTg0MzgtMjQzODlkMzI5NWJkXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_.jpg) ](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYTI5YmVkNmYtMTNiNC00NTkzLTg0MzgtMjQzODlkMzI5NWJkXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755/20 "2026-05-04T01:40:40Z")
Too late to add: I think some trickery would have been needed for the significant size difference between 6’2" Red Skelton and 6’5" James Daris. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-tall-actor-red-skeltons-the-christmas-spirit-1966/1029755.md?page=2)