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DC Comics' Tribute To Adam West, From Today's Comic Books
Appearing in all of DC Comics' comic books this week, a tribute to Adam West, who played the most famous Batman of them all, on TV, and who died a month ago at the age of 88. And with a line from the man, mocking the movie version of the character…
West died peacefully with his family and is survived by his wife Marcelle, six children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The actor began his career in 1954 appearing on the Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse under the credit of Will West. He went on to play Doc Holiday in multiple series, appeared in 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, Bonanza and The Rifleman before getting a regular role on The Detectives in 1962. He went back to guest-starring on various shows until 1966 when he landed the role of Bruce Wayne / Batman in the Greenway adaptation of the DC Comic. The series made him a household name, but when it was cancelled in 1968, West found himself typecast and back to doing guest appearances and voice work. He continued to work regularly, more recently joining the cast of Family Guy as the Mayor and reprising his role of Batman in two animated features – Batman: Return of the Caped Crusader and the upcoming Batman vs Two-Face. He's also appeared on Big Bang Theory and was involved in the short-lived DCTV series Powerless, the episode in which he starred cancelled, but then made available in tribute to the man.
West was a regular on the convention circuit and beloved by fans. A 2012 documentary entitled Starring Adam West ended with the actor receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The actor posed for a publicity photo in front of a Lear jet with a woman who he would later marry in 1970. Both he and Marcelle had two children from previous marriages and would go on to have two more together.
His presence and influence on the characterisation of Batman will continue to inspire and influence many for decades to come.