Adam West; Being Batman

He was a working actor, maybe not working enough, steady. He had a pretty good career; several guest roles in various TV series, even a continuing regular supporting role, and supporting roles in movies but nothing that broke him out of the herd of other handsome actors in his age range... until Batman. He was a smart and talented actor with the sense of humor and innate ability to 'get' what William Dozier and Lorenzo Semple Jr. were after in the pilot script. He nailed it. See the screen tests done by Adam and his competition for the role Lyle Waggoner. Lyle plays a man who believes what he is saying, Adam plays one who believes, but is in on the joke. It's a fine line and not easy to play, but one that is bright as day when you see it. Adam got the part.

And therein lies the tale doesn't it?

in 1966, Adam West became Batman, he WAS Batman to many. It gave him worldwide fame, but also erased and overshadowed all the work he'd done before; it was like he'd be born wearing a cowl with nothing before. Batman was everywhere; it pretty much single-handedly revived the comics industry. Batman burned bright and hot for a season and a movie and then started a two season descent. "Batman" the series ended up being cancelled after three seasons and 120 episodes which then went into constant rotation in syndication.

Adam West was not only out of a job, but nearly out of the industry. People with the power didn't see him as a versatile actor, but as Batman and unemployable. He had a heck of a time getting work; even the guest starring roles pretty much dried up compared to what he'd been doing before. He took to making appearances in a custom made Batman costume (most of the originals didn't survive filming) to make ends meet. Fairgrounds, auto shows, supermarkets, circuses, and the then infant autograph shows were where he was making his money in-between infrequent acting and voice-over gigs.

The lowest point he related in his autobiography "Back to the Batcave" was the time he was hired to be shot out of a cannon in his Batman costume. He did it, he needed the money, but he said he felt sick and ashamed. He stopped making many appearances as Batman. He would be Adam, gladly signing autographs but he was Adam West, actor. He couldn't escape Batman, and stopped trying (even briefly campaigning for the role in the Tim Burton movie) but he had to rise or sink as Adam West.

Then something happened; all those kids who grew up watching Adam as Batman were now in a position to hire him. And they did; to guest on their talk shows, do voices on their cartoons, guest star in their shows and cameo in their movies. Matt Groening said the biggest turnout for a Simpsons recording session was for Adam West, eclipsing even the one for Michael Jackson. His fans found him again in their own middle age and embraced him; gladly paying to see him at shows, seeking his appearances, stopping him in public to tell him how much he, and his Batman, meant to them. He became a superstar in demand all over again. Adam West just shrugged his shoulders, humble and grateful and went with it.

Good night Adam, and thanks.