Adam West is known as an American actor. He is most famous for playing the crime-fighting superhero Batman in the popular 1960s television series which became a successful syndicated hit.

Fame

Background

Adam West was born as William West Anderson on September 19, 1928, in Seattle, Washington. He spent his initial years on his family's farm in Walla, where his father, Otto, was a wheat rancher and his mom, Audrey worked as a professional piano player and opera singer. When he was a youngster, West's folks separated, and he moved with his mom and younger sibling to Seattle, where he completed high school.

West proceeded with his school instruction at Whitman College, where he was a member of the debate team and participated in multiple sports including swimming, track, skiing and water polo. He graduated with a degree in English writing in 1951 and proceeded to post-graduate work at Stanford and a stretch in the U.S. Armed forces, where he helped launch a series of military TV stations.

Career

West's enormous career break came when he was picked to play the iconic super hero, Batman in a TV adaption of the popular comic book. The show's producers, who looked to convey a bit of comedy to the character felt that West's energy for comedy made him the ideal possibility for the role. Burt Ward was contracted to play Robin, finishing the Dynamic Duo team.

Following its introduction in January 1966, the notoriety of Batman swelled to an exceptional height, making the names of West and Ward well known in American homes. The show boasted an amazing lineup of guest stars, including Cesar Romero as the Joker, Julie Newmar as Catwoman, Vincent Price as Egghead, and Roddy McDowall as Bookworm.

Regardless of its huge success, and the failed presentation of Yvonne Craig's Batgirl character, heightening production expenses made ABC drop Batman halfway through its third season, in 1968 much to the disappointment of fans.

Personal Life

Relationships

In 1950, West married his high school sweetheart Billie Lou Yeager. The couple separated in 1956. The next year, he went on to marry a Tahitian dancer, Nga Frisbie Dawson, fathering two children before their split in 1962. In 1970, he married Marcelle Lear, with whom he had two additional children.

West passed away on June 9, 2017, after a short however daring fight with leukemia as stated by an announcement from his family. He was 88 years old at the time of his death.