Adam West 1928-2017
Adam West, who portrayed the masked comic strip hero Batman in the 1960s television series, died on Friday, June 9, 2017. He was 88.
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan
"Batman"
Born William West Anderson on September 19, 1928 in Walla Walla, Washington, Adam West pursued acting following a stint in the Army. After small roles in the films "The Young Philadelphians," and "Geronimo," and numerous guest appearances on such TV series as "Lawman," "Maverick," "77 Sunset Strip," "Perry Mason," "Laramie," "The Detectives" and "The Outer Limits," West won the role of the Caped Crusader in the ABC-TV series "Batman," which debuted in 1966.
"Batman"
The series aired twice a week, with two-part stories forcing viewers to return for the resolution of a cliffhanger -- "Same bat time, same bat channel."
"Batman"
The show, and a theatrical feature also released in 1966, featured plenty of gadgets and vehicles, including the Batmobile, Batcopter and Batboat.
"Batman"
Adam West as Batman, and Bruce Ward as his sidekick Robin.
"Batman"
Adam West as Batman.
"Batman"
A prop man hands a lighted prop bomb to Adam West, playing Batman, as he prepares to film a scene from the motion picture "Batman" (1966), he which he tries to dispose of the explosive.
"Batman"
Minions of the Riddler carry a drugged Batman (Adam West) into a waiting van in a scene from the TV series, "Batman," on Feb. 21, 1966.
"Batman"
Adam West as Batman.
"Batman"
Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Bruce Ward) in the Batboat.
"Batman"
A publicity photo featuring Adam West as Batman, and Yvonne Craig as Batgirl, from the 1960s TV series.
"Batman"
Adam West shows off his Bat Radio on the Hollywood set of the "Batman" series March 18, 1966.
Public Safety Announcement
Actor Adam West, in his "Batman" costume, uses a "Bat Camera" in a scene for a short film about road safety being shot in London, May 12, 1967.
Batman Live!
On June 25, 1966 - nearly a year after The Beatles played before about 60,000 fans at New York's Shea Stadium - a far smaller number witnessed Adam West, TV's Batman, arrive in a Cadillac (the Batmobile may have been in the shop) for a concert appearance with Frank Gorshin (a.k.a. the Riddler), and a slew of rock 'n' roll acts. The show almost didn't go on (The New York Times reported stagehands and carpenters started dismantling the performers' platforms an hour before showtime until they were guaranteed payment), but after trading corny jokes with the Riddler, West proved that he could croon with the best of superheroes.
"Batman"
"You get terribly typecast playing a character like that," he told The Associated Press in a 2014 interview. "But in the overall, I'm delighted because my character became iconic, and has opened a lot of doors in other ways, too."
West returned to the role, voicing Batman and Bruce Wayne in a 1970s animated "Batman" series, as well as on "The Simpsons."
"Robinson Crusoe on Mars"
Adam West appeared in the 1964 science fiction film, "Robinson Crusoe on Mars."
Golden Globes
Presenters Adam West and Leslie Ann Warren (right) pose with British actor Richard Attenborough ("The Sand Pebbles" ) and Tahitian actress Jocelyn LaGarde ("Hawaii"), who hold their Golden Globe Awards at the awards banquet of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 16, 1967.
"The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker"
Adam West and Elizabeth Ashley in the 1971 comedy, "The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker."
Portrait
Adam West poses at his Beverly Hills hotel, Aug. 10, 1983.
"The Last Precinct"
In 1986 Adam West starred in the comedy series "The Last Precinct," with Ernie Hudson, Kennan Wynn and Randi Brooks.
Portrait
A 1986 portrait of actor Adam West.
"Doin' Time on Planet Earth"
Candice Assara and Adam West in the 1988 sci-fi comedy, "Doin' Time on Planet Earth."
"Family Guy"
Adam West voiced the character of Mayor Adam West in the animated comedy series, "Family Guy."
Newmar, West and Wells
Julie Newmar (who played Catwoman on "Batman") and Adam West pose with "Gilligan's Island" star Dawn Wells in the "Bat Cave," at the TV Land and Nick at Nite Upfront, in New York City on April 24, 2002.
"Monster Island"
Adam West as Dr. Harryhausen in the horror comedy "Monster Island" (2004).
TV Land Awards
Actors Burt Ward and Adam West, of "Batman," pose in the press room at the 2006 TV Land Awards at the Barker Hangar on March 19, 2006 in Santa Monica, Calif.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Adam West strikes a pose while kneeling on his just-unveiled star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame on April 5, 2012 in Hollywood, Calif.
San Diego Comic-Con International
Actor Adam West attends the "Batman: The Complete Series" DVD release presentation during Comic-Con International 2014 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2014 in San Diego, Calif.
New York Comic-Con
Actor Adam West attends the "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders" press conference at New York Comic-Con at New York's Jacob Javits Center, on Oct. 6, 2016.
Farewell
Adam West died on Friday, June 9, 2017, after battling leukemia. He was 88.
"Our beloved AW passed away last night," his family said on Twitter. "He was the greatest. We'll miss him like crazy. We know you'll miss him, too."