TV’s original Batman, Adam West, passed away last night
We all remember our first Batman — and for many, that was Adam West, the original TV Batman and pop culture icon. Unfortunately, last night, at the age of 88, Adam West passed away. West’s family confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and BBC, writing, “Our dad always saw himself as The Bright Knight and aspired to make a positive impact on his fans’ lives. He was and always will be our hero.”
West’s Batman was known for his crazy one-liners and tight costume, but it was West’s straight-faced portrayal that made the role truly legendary.
West played Batman in the 1966 series for three years — and reprised his role of Batman, or a parody of his role, on many series over the years. With his legendary status cemented, he even made guest appearances playing himself on shows like The Adventures of Pete and Pete, The Drew Carey Show, and The Big Bang Theory. He even voiced animated, comedic versions of himself in The Fairly OddParents and Family Guy.
"The tone of our first show, by Lorenzo Semple Jr., was one of absurdity and tongue in cheek to the point that I found it irresistible," West said about Batman. On playing the role, he explained he played "for laughs, but in order to do [that], one had to never think it was funny. You just had to pull on that cowl and believe that no one would recognize you."
West passed away last night on Friday, June 9th after a battle with leukemia — but he’s far from forgotten.
Celebrities, including West’s costars and other members of Batman franchises over the years, are already sharing their fond memories of him.
"Adam and I had a special friendship for more than 50 years," Burt Ward, the Robin to West's Batman told NY Daily News. "We shared some of the most fun times of our lives together."
#AdamWest was such a wonderful actor & so kind, I'm so lucky to have worked w/ him & tell him how much he meant to me & millions of fans. pic.twitter.com/Bu0OOaRgX9
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) June 10, 2017
Ah dear Adam West. He was always so kind when we met. A real gent. Once when I was a kid we found ourselves in front the batmobile. I got in
— Val Kilmer (@valkilmer) June 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/873595796720975872
RIP Adam West. You will always be Batman
— Will Arnett™ (@arnettwill) June 10, 2017
"In [Batman]... we created this zany, lovable world," Adam West told audiences at Comic-Con in 2014. "I look around and I see the adults — I see you grew up with me, and you believe in the adventure. I never believed this would happen, that I would be up here with illustrious people like yourselves. I’m so grateful! I’m the luckiest actor in the world, folks, to have you still hanging around."
We’ll never forget Adam West or all of the amazing work he did.
