Adam West was an American actor best known for his role as Batman in the 1960s television series of the same name. He was born on September 19, 1928, in Walla Walla, Washington, and passed away on June 9, 2017, in Los Angeles, California.
West began his acting career in the late 1950s, with guest appearances on various TV shows and movies. However, it was his role as Batman in the 1960s that catapulted him to fame. The show, which aired for three seasons from 1966 to 1968, was a huge success and made West a household name.
After Batman, West continued to act in TV shows and movies, including appearances in The Simpsons, Family Guy, and the 2017 film Batman vs. Two-Face, which was released shortly after his death.
While it’s unclear exactly how much wealth West amassed during his career, Celebrity Net Worth estimates his net worth at $8 million at the time of his death. It’s likely that a significant portion of his wealth came from his role as Batman, which he reportedly earned $1,000 per episode for.
However, West was also involved in other ventures that may have contributed to his wealth. He published a memoir, Back to the Batcave, in 1994, and also appeared in various commercials and advertisements throughout his career.
Despite his success, West remained humble and grateful for his fans. In a 2014 interview with Forbes, he said, “I’m just so grateful that I’m still able to do something that people enjoy, and that people come up and say nice things to me.”
Adam West will always be remembered as an icon of pop culture and a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
Here is a timeline of the major events in the life of Adam West:
1928: Adam West is born on September 19th in Walla Walla, Washington.
1950s: West begins his acting career in the late 1950s, appearing in various TV shows and movies, including The Young Philadelphians and The Detectives.
1966-1968: West becomes a household name when he stars as Batman in the popular television series of the same name. The show airs for three seasons and is a huge success.
1970s-1980s: West continues to act in TV shows and movies, including appearances in The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and Hooper.
1990s: West becomes a voice actor, providing the voice for characters in popular animated shows such as The Simpsons and Family Guy.
1994: West publishes his memoir, Back to the Batcave, which chronicles his time as Batman and his career in Hollywood.
2017: West passes away on June 9th at the age of 88 in Los Angeles, California.
Despite his passing, Adam West remains a beloved figure in popular culture and is remembered for his iconic portrayal of Batman and his contributions to the entertainment industry.
5 interesting facts about Adam West:
- Before his acting career, West worked as a radio DJ and a salesman for a pesticide company.
- He was offered the role of James Bond in the 1960s, but turned it down because he felt that the character should be played by a British actor.
- West was once mistakenly reported to have died in the 1980s, leading him to later quip, “I died many years ago, but I live on in the hearts of Batman fans.”
- He was a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to a wide range of animated shows and movies throughout his career.
- West was a fan of comic books and superheroes, and even wrote his own comic book series, The Misadventures of Adam West, in 2011.
5 quotes from Adam West:
- “I don’t think Batman is camp. I think the problem is that the people making the movies and TV shows are too serious about what they’re doing. There’s a tendency to overdo it.”
- “I don’t take myself too seriously. I think Batman’s serious enough that you don’t need to play up the humor.”
- “I’m not a comic book fan as such. I was interested in science fiction when I was a kid and fantasy when I was a teenager. But you know, I never saw myself as a superhero.”
- “I try to do what’s right for people. I believe that in order to be truly happy, you have to make others happy.”
- “I love the character of Batman. He’s a true superhero. He’s a man who is doing good just for the sake of doing good.”
