# Adam West died. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 10, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594 "2017-06-10T15:42:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/21 "2017-06-10T16:41:46Z")
Nooooooo! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/22 "2017-06-10T16:55:16Z")
To the big Batcave in the sky, Robin!\* Don’t forget to disconnect the Batphone after you tell the police to retire the Bat Signal! RIP, Adam! ☹ \*Let us hope that Burt Ward will hang around stately Wayne Manor a while longer. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/23 "2017-06-10T17:02:03Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Classic thread shit. > > Nice work! > > Adam West was perfect in that role, in a dead-pan Leslie Neilson kind of way. They say the key to a comedy act is the straight man; so, sure, Frank Gorshin got the Emmy nomination for playing off West in the pilot episode – but there’s no _there_ there if West isn’t relaxed and confident while radiating calm sincerity. The gag, of course, is that he’s doing the ‘plainclothes cop’ bit while dressed in that absurd outfit – which is why the show _as a whole_ got nominated for the Best Comedy Emmy – but the point is that he nailed it. (I’m admittedly biased, since as a kid I dressed up as Batman for Halloween – and it was, by heaven, as the Adam West version.) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/24 "2017-06-10T17:06:59Z")
Oh well. He was never anything but Batman. I saw him in bit parts before his fame as the iconic camp version of the Caped Crusader but after that could never see him as anything else. It takes a certain kind of talent in a certain kind of role to pull that off and he became a cultural icon that exceeded the role itself. So farewell Adam/Bruce/Batman, in superhero portrayal heaven you have company, George/Clark/Superman, Clayton/John/Kemo Sabe/Lone Ranger, among others, but you did it in your own unique way, mainly with your voice alone, and you will be welcomed there heartily, and the star of next celebrity heaven ComicCon where the greats of the industry will dress up as you to show homage, and engage in the sincerest form of flattery by imitating your mannerisms. Somehow there is something fitting to your passing from the mortal plane as the portrayer of the most mortal of the superhero pantheon and truly becoming immortal as a star in the sky as the way of the divine beings of the past. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/25 "2017-06-10T17:11:04Z")
> [@LicketySplit](#): > > Holy “One of the Crappiest Actors Ever” Batman! > > LOL > > Adam West. > > Proof that 90% of “making it” in Hollywood is pure luck, and who you know, and being in the right place at the right time. Having actual talent is a remote second-place. 90% of life is pure luck. But the fact Adam West’s Batman is still remembered says something about his abilities > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Liked his appearance on _The Big Bang Theory_ too. He was great, but people noticed he was sitting down in every scene. I guess he wasn’t doing too well even then. ---
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/26 "2017-06-10T17:12:55Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Give my best to Yvonne, will you? > [@terentii](#): > > Let us hope that Burt Ward will hang around stately Wayne Manor a while longer. In the late 1980’s, when Citadel sculpted their second line of Imperial Space Marine miniatures for Warhammer 40,000, da Studio Ladz named them after _Batman_ cast members as a lark. There’s a Brother (Adam) West, Brother (Burt) Ward, Captain (Cesar) Romero, Brother (Burgess) Meredith … even a Brother (Yvonne) Craig! When they put them in the catalogue, though, they dropped all the silly names for the marines and just gave them descriptions (“Bolter #10”, “Power Axe #2”, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/27 "2017-06-10T17:26:09Z")
I love this [Batman/Catwoman seduction scene](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eCc8XJGSOag). ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/28 "2017-06-10T17:40:18Z")
Funny; when I was in fifth and sixth grade, I never thought of West’s \*\*\*Batman \*\*\*as a comedy. To me, it was deadly serious, scientifically accurate, true-to-life detective work. Lord, how my view has changed! :smack: (I still can’t see it as a comedy, though. Over-the-top camp, yes. But comedic? No!) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/29 "2017-06-10T17:49:15Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > They say the key to a comedy act is the straight man; so, sure, Frank Gorshin got the Emmy nomination for playing off West in the pilot episode – but there’s no _there_ there if West isn’t relaxed and confident while radiating calm sincerity. > > The gag, of course, is that he’s doing the ‘plainclothes cop’ bit while dressed in that absurd outfit – which is why the show _as a whole_ got nominated for the Best Comedy Emmy – but the point is that he nailed it. > > (I’m admittedly biased, since as a kid I dressed up as Batman for Halloween – and it was, by heaven, as the Adam West version.) > [@terentii](#): > > Funny; when I was in fifth and sixth grade, I never thought of West’s \*\*\*Batman \*\*\*as a comedy. To me, it was deadly serious, scientifically accurate, true-to-life detective work. > > Lord, how my view has changed! :smack: > > (I still can’t see it as a comedy, though. Over-the-top camp, yes. But comedic? No!) These statements are both exactly true. It took me a few years to realize the absurdity and campiness. Initially Batman was a true hero and crime fighter. I feel the same way about Star Trek TOS though! I love it for basically the same reasons. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/30 "2017-06-10T17:52:06Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > I love this [Batman/Catwoman seduction scene](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eCc8XJGSOag). Is it my dirty imagination, or does the Batbulge actually get a little bigger in that scene? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/31 "2017-06-10T17:55:34Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > These statements are both exactly true. It took me a few years to realize the absurdity and campiness. Initially Batman was a true hero and crime fighter. > I feel the same way about Star Trek TOS though! I love it for basically the same reasons. Hell, I back then also thought _ **The Time Tunnel** _ was both scientifically and historically accurate.\* And that you could ride jeeps through the desert and blow up whole German convoys with just a couple of machine guns! :smack: \*Until it dawned on me that everyone spoke prefect contemporary American English, no matter where or what period they were from! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/32 "2017-06-10T17:55:59Z")
Looks like the sand-shark finally got him. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/33 "2017-06-10T17:56:41Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Is it my dirty imagination, or does the Batbulge actually get a little bigger in that scene? :dubious: LOL. That’s freakin’ funny! The Batbulge! Hahahaha… :D:D:D:D:D ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/34 "2017-06-10T18:01:39Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Is it my dirty imagination, or does the Batbulge actually get a little bigger in that scene? :dubious: Holy Tumescence! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/35 "2017-06-10T18:03:59Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > LOL. That’s freakin’ funny! > > The Batbulge! Hahahaha… :D:D:D:D:D Just being that close to Julie Newmar would make me want to polish the old Batpole too! :o ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/36 "2017-06-10T18:32:01Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Looks like the sand-shark finally got him. A reference to “The Invisible Enemy”, The Outer Limits, 1964? ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/37 "2017-06-10T18:41:19Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > To the big Batcave in the sky, Robin!\* > > Don’t forget to disconnect the Batphone after you tell the police to retire the Bat Signal! > > RIP, Adam! ☹ > > \*Let us hope that Burt Ward will hang around stately Wayne Manor a while longer. RIP Adam West…he was a classy guy. Burt Ward put out a very ugly self-published autobiography. He is the polar opposite of Adam West. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/38 "2017-06-10T19:03:03Z")
Wow, I didn’t think he was that old. I guess he was in his late thirties when they made the show. RIP. Here’s one of my favorite moments. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIPHWANYqUQ) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/39 "2017-06-10T19:21:39Z")
> [@wolf\_meister](#): > > A reference to “The Invisible Enemy”, The Outer Limits, 1964? The Outer what? 😉 Just saw it recently, first time in 40+ years. A little harder to suspend disbelief (cheesy FX); still fun. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2017, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594/40 "2017-06-10T19:36:44Z")
[quote=“Larry\_Borgia, post:38, topic:788594”] Wow, I didn’t think he was that old. I guess he was in his late thirties when they made the show. RIP. Here’s one of my favorite moments. [/QUOTE] That totally fucking rocked! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-west-died/788594.md?page=3)