Adam West, best known for his portrayal of Batman in the classic 1960s TV series passed away Friday night after a short battle with leukemia.
A statement released by the 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.”
West has been a hero for many since his role as millionaire Bruce Wayne aka Batman. While the series only lasted for 3 seasons from ‘66-’68, it this role that has inspired and touched millions. When taking about the series, west would reveal that he knew after reading the pilot script that the series was “the kind of comedy I wanted to do.”
“The tone of our first show, by Lorenzo Semple Jr., was one of absurdity and tongue in cheek to the point that I found it irresistible. I think they recognized that in me from what they’d seen me do before. I understood the material and brought something to it. You can’t play Batman in a serious, square-jawed, straight-ahead way without giving the audience the sense that there’s something behind that mask waiting to get out, that he’s a little crazed, he’s strange.”
After the series ended, West had difficulty finding roles ever being typecast as the Caped Crusader. He was, at one time, offered the role of James Bond in ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ but turned down the part insisting that the role go to someone British.
West has continued to have a presence in the entertainment industry with his many cameo appearances and voice work most recently on ‘Family Guy’ as Mayor Adam West, ‘Powerless,’ ‘Batman: The Animated Series,’ ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ and the DC animated film ‘Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders.’ He will once again be heard in the role of Batman in DC’s next animated release ‘Batman vs Two Face.”
West has also been a big draw to the convention circuit delighting fans with his stories and wit and to many, he has etched a spot in their hearts.
West died in Los Angeles surrounded by his wife Marcelle, his six children, five grandchildren and his two great-grandchildren.
Our thought and condolences go out to the family, friends, and fans.
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
