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Biography He breathed life into Batman. Adam West was born Billy (William) West Anderson in Walla Walla, Washington, to parents Otto West Anderson and his wife Audrey. At age 10, Adam had a cache of comic books, and Batman made a big impression on him -- the comic hero was part bat-man (ala Count Dracula) and part world's greatest detective (ala Charlie Chan and Sherlock Holmes)...
| Talent Agent: |
Chasin Agency, The - Tom Chasin
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| Profession: |
Actor / Soundtrack / Miscellaneous Crew |
| Born: |
19 September 1928, Walla Walla, Washington, USA (age 81) |
| Birth Name: |
William West Anderson |
| Height: |
6' 2" (1.88 m) |
| Spouse: |
Marcelle Lear (7 November 1970 - present) 4 children
Ngahra Frisbie (1957 - 1962) 2 children
Billie Lou Yeager (27 August 1950 - 1956) (divorced)
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| Also Known As: |
Adam West / Will West / William Anderson |
| Awards: |
2 wins & 1 nomination |
| Credited Years: |
1954 - 2009 |
Real Life Quotes
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[on his typecasting as The Caped Crusader] It was inescapable. I'd just about land something substantial, something I like or a good career move. Then some dinosaur would rear up and say, "But the audience will think of him as Batman." It was formidable. It was there like a brick wall. |
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[on his disappointment with the direction Batman was taking, especially during its second and third seasons] 'Batman' was an expensive show and it was losing money. I became extremely frustrated and unhappy and wanted out. There was nothing I could do to convince the producers or the studio to make improvements. I was just a hired hand. Eventually I lost all interest because I felt the series was being neglected. They weren't spending the money they should have, and we weren't getting the scripts we deserved. I didn't want any part of this situation any more. I was tired of fighting for better shows. The program I wanted to do was no longer possible. But I hated to leave the character because Batman had been good to me. |
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[on his being passed over for Tim Burton's 1989 Batman] I cried for an hour, but then I was okay. I wanted it! I don't know. I figured that's their business and they have a film in mind. I've already done it. I've done my Batman. Look, do you want the classic Coke or the new stuff? Maybe both. I do know that I'm disappointed not to have had a chance to play Batman, but they have their vision and I have mine. |
Trivia
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After playing the role of a resourceful secret agent in a Nestle's Quik commercial in the early '60s, he caught the eye of ABC execs. They figured that he might be right for an upcoming TV show that was about to be produced, Batman. The rest is history. |
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His daughter Nina West is the host of the TV Land Real Estate. She is also a model and has twice appeared with her father on Howard Stern's radio show. |
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West once appeared on the The Adventures of Batman & Robin animated series playing - of all things - an out-of-work actor who was unable to escape his identification with the role of a superhero he had played decades earlier, the Gray Ghost. Prior to this, West had supplied the voice of Batman on the SuperFriends: The Legendary Super Powers Show animated series. |
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Enjoys fishing. |
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Was the third actor to play Batman (though some may credit him as the first, as the old serials are much more obscure than West's Batman TV series). |
Other Works
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Radio commercial: "Destinies: The Voice of Science Fiction" (Radio Show), WUSB, 90.1, FM, Stony Brook, New York, USA |
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(1994) Hosted the "bumpers" for the "Turkey Day" marathon of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Thanksgiving Day, Comedy Central). |
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(1995) TV commercial: America Online. |
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(1997) Radio and TV commercial: White Castle Crave Clip (voice) |
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(1995) MTV Movie Awards ("Interview with the Vampire" parody) |
Where Are They Now?
| 1994 |
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Release of his autobiography, "Back to the Batcave". |
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