The Hollywood Reporter has some tragic news for us today, as Adam West, star of TV’s Batman, has passed away after a battle with Leukemia. He was 88 years old.
Most well known for his role in the aforementioned classic 1960’s television series, the actor never quite managed to reach the same heights once the show was off the air, but was always fondly remembered for his time in the cape and cowl. Those of a younger generation may also know him for his voice work on Family Guy, which gave him something of a comeback towards the end of his career.
“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,” his family said in a statement.
“A true American icon and beloved father and husband, he will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and millions of fans around the world,” a spokesperson added.
Anyone familiar with the actor’s time playing the Dark Knight will know that it was a vastly different take on the iconic hero than what we see today. Back in the 60s, the role was played for laughs, with the show even earning an Emmy nod for Outstanding Comedy. Despite its tremendous popularity, it quickly fizzled out and unfortunately, ended up being cancelled after the third season. Still, it managed to earn a spot in pop culture history and is adored by Batman fans around the world to this day.
Adam West is survived by his “wife Marcelle, six children, five grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.” Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this tragic time.
