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Batman actor Adam West dies aged 88 Batman actor Adam West dies aged 88
(35 minutes later)
Adam West, the actor best known for playing Batman in the 1960s television series, has died aged 88 of leukaemia. Adam West, the actor best known for playing Batman in the 1960s television series, has died aged 88 of leukaemia. He is remembered by fans for his kooky, exaggerated portrayal of the superhero in the ABC show, which ran for three seasons from 1966 to 1968.
He is remembered by fans for his kooky, exaggerated portrayal of the superhero in the ABC show, which ran for three seasons from 1966 to 1968.
West once said that he played Batman “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 recognise you.”West once said that he played Batman “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 recognise you.”
In a statement, his family said: “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.”In a statement, his family said: “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.”
The actor Matthew Modine tweeted:The actor Matthew Modine tweeted:
I shared a flight #adamwest when I began my career. So kind. Sharing insights about the business of show. So generous & loving was he🙏🏾 RIP pic.twitter.com/7UwW6uAG4RI shared a flight #adamwest when I began my career. So kind. Sharing insights about the business of show. So generous & loving was he🙏🏾 RIP pic.twitter.com/7UwW6uAG4R
Batman initially proved a hit with US viewers but its popularity waned and it was axed after the third season. Batman initially proved a hit with US, viewers but its popularity waned and it was axed after the third season. Reruns of the show continue to this day, although it took until 2014 to make it on to DVD.
Reruns of the show continue to this day, although it took until 2014 to make it on to DVD. The Guardian’s Graeme Virtue wrote: “The licensing tangle between 20th Century Fox, which made and owns the actual episodes, and DC Entertainment, the renamed comics company that owns the characters, was hampered by contracts drawn up before home entertainment options were even being considered.”
Graeme Virtue said in the Guardian: “The licensing tangle between 20th Century Fox, that made and owns the actual episodes, and DC Entertainment, the renamed comics company that owns the characters, was hampered by contracts drawn up before home entertainment options were even being considered.” West struggled to find steady work after the demise of Batman, complaining later that “the people who were hiring … were dinosaurs” who “thought Batman was a big accident”. it was not until he was cast as the voice of Mayor West on the animated series Family Guy that he found another regular gig.
West struggled to find steady work after the demise of Batman, complaining later that “the people who were hiring ... were dinosaurs” who “thought Batman was a big accident”. it was not until he was cast as the voice of Mayor West on the animated series Family Guy that he found a regular gig.