The Scoop SUMMER 2017 | Page 66

Adam West

Back in the 1960s, Batman appeared on the small screen with its own TV show. Playing Batman was Adam West, a young actor at the time, who brought Batman to life in color for the first time ever. While West brought this comic character to life, this show was the actor's ticket to fame. Batman had brought Adam West up to par with other famous actors of his time and he would be known as the original Batman for the rest of his life.

Born in 1928 in Walla Walla, Washington, the actor was born as William West Anderson. His mother originally dreamed of being in Hollywood, but she could not because she had to raise her family. William stated when he was a kid that he would make it to Hollywood after high school to honor his mother's dreams. He started off in Hawaii doing a show called El Kini Popo Show. He then moved to Hollywood and created his stage name: Adam West. He appeared as more Hollywood roles until 1966 when he was cast as Bruce Wayne aka Batman for the TV show, Batman, and even a full-length movie for the show. After his inspirational role in the 60’s, West would be forever known as Batman.

After his famous role in Batman ended in 1968, West moved on to do other movies. Most of his income during this was actually from doing appearances as Batman rather than doing movies. West even turned down the role of James Bond. After this, Adam went back to doing TV appearances of Batman on short-lived TV series of DC Superheroes and other Batman related shows. He even voiced Batman’s father: Thomas Wayne in different shows. Because of this, West would be known more as a pop icon throughout his later years. He went on to do numerous guest appearances as himself or Batman in shows like Family Guy and The Fairly Oddparents. West was later diagnosed with leukemia and died in June of 2017. He will be known forever as a superhero icon.

by Dexter Hom

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