Live-Action Batman
Adam West was first cast as Batman in 1966 in the now infamous, campy, live-action TV show of the same name along side Burt Ward as Robin. The show was canceled in 1968. Although it did not last long, his portrayal of the Caped Crusader has become iconic.
West did play Batman in live-action (wearing the Batsuit and all) again in 1979's two one hour specials titled Legends of the Superheroes.
Animated Batman
West first voiced Batman/Bruce Wayne in The New Adventures of Batman in 1977, the show was canceled after one season. He also voiced Batman in Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show in 1984, a show based on the Justice League. It was also canceled after one season. The next year, The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians debuted. Again, it was canceled after just one season.
In 1992, West made a guest appearance on Batman: The Animated Series, not as Batman, but as Simon Trent/The Gray Ghost. West also played a recurring role on The Batman in the 2000s as the mayor of Gotham City. In Batman: The Brave and the Bold, West made a guest appearance as the voice of Thomas Wayne.
In 2005, West voiced Batman once again, opposite Mark Hamill as the Joker, in a short, CGI animated film titled Batman: New Times.
In 2009, West voiced Nighthawk, Marvel's homage to Batman, in an episode of The Super Hero Squad Show.
In 2016, West voiced Batman once more in the animated film Batman: Return to the Caped Crusaders with the return of Burt Ward as the voice of Robin and Julie Newmar as the voice of Catwoman, as the three are the only remaining alumni from the 1966 TV series.
Other Animated Roles
Adam West has also lend his voice for roles that were either like-Batman or non-Batman. His well known animated role is a fictional version of himself as the major of Quahog in Family Guy. His Batman/superhero parody portrayals include:
- Captain Blasto in Rugrats.
- Himself in a few episodes of The Simpsons.
- Spruce/The Caped Crusader in an episode of Animaniacs.
- Himself in a few episodes of Johnny Bravo.
- Timothy North/The Fearless Ferret in Kim Possible.
- Himself/Catman in the Fairly Odd Parents.
- Mermaidman (younger) in Spongebob Sqaurepants.
- Captain Super Captain & Professor Evil Professor in Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero.
Death
Adam West passed away on June 9th 2017 from leukemia. He was 88 years old. He is survived wife Marcelle, six children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
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