Adam West, best known for his role as television’s Batman back in the early days of TV, passed away Friday night in Los Angeles. According to a representative, the actor died after losing a short battle with leukemia.
Throughout his career, West was defined playing the straight-faced role as the 60’s Batman, a show filled with flamboyant villains and a cheesy tone. More recently fans came to know his Iconic voice in the Adult Cartoon Family Guy, in which he plays a parodied version of himself in the position of deranged Mayor of Quahog Adam West.
While many know West as a talented actor and voice artist, he struggled to find work following his starring television role as The Dark Knight. West made his feature debut in 1959’s “The Young Philadelphians,” starring Paul Newman, but most of his silver screen roles were limited to small support characters or background roles.
Though he may not have had the Movie career he hoped for, Adam West also published two books that were titled in the 90’s. The most notable of the two, titled “Back to the Batcave,” served as the actor’s autobiography, in which he voiced his displeasure at not being offered the chance to reprise his role as Batman in the Tim Burton version.
But West got his chance to play The Cape Crusader one more time, albeit in an animated role. The straight to DVD film made by Warner Bros. celebrated his iconic role by making a modernized version of his 60’s series into a movie titled Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders and featured all of the effects we know and love from that series.
Our beloved AW passed away last night. He was the greatest. We'll miss him like crazy. We know you'll miss him too – West Family pic.twitter.com/8bkEq1C2ao
— Adam West (@therealadamwest) June 10, 2017
His most recent live television appearance on CBS’s sitcom the Big Bang Theory celebrated the 50th anniversary of Batman. “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,” his family said in a statement.
Born September 19, 1928, under the name William West Anderson in Walla, Washington, he later adopted the stage name of Adam West. He is survived by his wife Marcelle, six children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
