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Adam West
1928-
Updated 4/18/2008 with more films available on DVD!
biography
Born William Anderson in Washington in September 1928, actor Adam West has had a nearly 50-year career in films and television. He majored in literature at Whitman College before his induction into the Army in the early 1950s. Upon his discharge, West worked in local radio and television, moving to Hawaii in the mid 1950s to work on a live-action children's show. Relocating to Los Angeles with his wife and family in the late 1950s, West found work in television commercials and landed a contract with Warner Bros. Soon, he was doing guest spots on popular television programs such as 77 Sunset Strip, Cheyenne, and Sugarfoot, all produced by Warner Bros. The studio also put the handsome actor in a couple of films, including The Young Philidelphians (1959; with Barbara Rush and Anthony Eisley), but the studio dropped his contract soon afterward.
Early 1960s portraits of Adam West
Following his stint with Warner Bros., West then freelanced in films and television. In 1961, he was added to the cast of the Robert Taylor series The Detectives, but the show left the air in 1962. West continued acting in films, such as Tammy and the Doctor (1963; with Peter Fonda and Sandra Dee), Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964; with Paul Mantee), and The Outlaws Is Coming (1965; with Nancy Kovack and the Three Stooges). Finally, in 1966, West got his big break when producer William Dozier cast him as the title character in the ABC series Batman. West was only the third actor to tackle the role of the Caped Crusader. Lewis Wilson portrayed the title character in Columbia's 1943 serial The Batman, and six years later Robert Lowell starred as Batman in Columbia's 1949 15-chapter serial Batman and Robin.
ABC photo from 1966 with Van Williams. William Dozier cast both actors as superheroes: West as Batman, and Van Williams as the Green Hornet
the films of adam west
The Detectives (1959-1962 ABC/NBC TV Series)
With Mark Goddard, Tige Andrews, and Robert Taylor from the series The Detectives. West joined the regular cast for the show's final season
Petticoat Junction (1963-1970 CBS TV Series)
With Jeannine Riley in a first-season episode of Petticoat Junction titled My Daughter, the Doctor, which originally aired in January 1964
Mara of the Wilderness (1965)
Allied Artists stills from the low-budget adventure flick Mara of the Wilderness with Lori Saunders
The Outlaws Is Coming (1965)
From Columbia's Three Stooges vehicle The Outlaws Is
Coming. Pictured are Curly Joe DeRita, Moe Howard,
Larry Fine, and Nancy Kovack
Batman: The Movie (1966)
Lobby cards from the 20th Century Fox release Batman: The Movie. LEFT: With Burt Ward as Robin. RIGHT: With Burgess Meredith, Cesar Romero, Burt Ward, Frank Gorshin, and Lee Meriwether
Batman (1966-1968 ABC TV Series)
Images from ABC's Batman. LEFT and CENTER A: West as millionaire Bruce Wayne. CENTER B: With Burt Ward and Yvonne Craig. RIGHT: With Carolyn Jones as Marsha, Queen of Diamonds
The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1969)
One-sheet poster from West's low-budget crime drama The Girl Who Knew Too Much
The Specialist (1975)
From the comedy The Specialist. LEFT: With Alvy Moore. RIGHT: With Ahna Capri
adam west today
While Batman made a star of Adam West, in reality the series did his personal and professional lives no favors. His marriage crumbled while the series was in production. And after the show was canceled in 1968, the 40-year-old West found he was typecast. He remarried and slowly rebuilt his career, supporting himself by doing personal appearances as Batman and doing guest spots on such series as Love, American Style and The Big Valley. In the 1970s and 1980s, West found a lot of work in television, including some animation, and in low-budget films, many of which were direct-to-video. Today, Adam West continues to work in films and television and will appear in two films scheduled for release in 2008 or 2009.
Classic TV Commercials Of The Fifties And Sixties, Vol. 21 [DVD] DVD
Take a look at these great TV campaigns: Frosted Flakes with Adam West, Kodak Instamatic photography while sky-diving, Buster Keaton meets Speedy Alka-Seltzer, Excedrin Headache #1040 with Charles Nelson Reilly, Allerest, Jack Gilford sharing his Cracker Jack, and lots more. 60 min.
Space Ghost Coast To Coast, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
Sixteen episodes--including "Elevator," "Gilligan," "Banjo," "Batmantis," Fire Drill," and "Explode"--are featured in a two-disc set. 203 min. total. Standard; English Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; extended episodes; audio commentary on selected episodes; music video; art gallery; more.
Robinson Crusoe On Mars [DVD](1964) DVD
Daniel Defoe's famed castaway lives on in this inventive sci-fi adventure in the person of Commander "Kit" Draper (Paul Mantee), an American astronaut whose ship gets diverted to the red planet. The crash landing leaves only Draper and his pet monkey alive to wander the unforgiving Martian terrain in search of tools for survival. However, Draper and his companion may not be as alone as they believe. Adam West, Victor Lundin also star. 110 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH); audio commentary; featurette; music video; photo gallery; theatrical trailer.
The Outlaws Is Coming [DVD](1965) DVD
A wacky western spoof that was the final film for the Three Stooges as a team. Conservation-minded Larry, Moe and Curly Joe head to the frontier to save the buffalo and wind up helping a newspaper editor (Adam West) and the famed Annie Oakley (Nancy Kovack) battle a passel of the prairie's toughest gunslingers (played by such TV kids' show hosts as Officer Joe Bolton, Bill "Icky Twerp" Camfield and Philly's own Sally Starr). Look for Henry Gibson as an Indian. 88 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; bonus short "Goofs and Saddles" (1937) (Standard).
Batman [DVD](1966) DVD
Holy Video! The dynamic duo, in their feature film debut, must defend Gotham City and the free world from a cabal of their most sinister enemies: Catwoman, Joker, Penguin and Riddler. All the BAM! BIFF! POW! excitement and fun of the TV series. Stars Adam West, Burt Ward, Lee Meriwether, Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith, Frank Gorshin. 105 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary by West, Ward; featurette; photo gallery; scene access; theatrical trailers.
Batman [Blu-ray](1966)
Holy Video! The Dynamic Duo must battle a cabal of their most sinister foes in their feature film debut that features all the BIFF! BAM! POW! fun of the TV series. The Catwoman, the Joker, the Penguin, and the Riddler have joined forces and concocted a plan to use a high-tech gadget to reduce the world's leaders to dust, and only Batman and Robin stand in their way. Adam West, Burt Ward, Lee Meriwether, Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith, Frank Gorshin star. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English DTS HD 5.1, Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary by West, Ward, others; featurettes; photo gallery; poster gallery; trivia; isolated music score; theatrical trailer; more.
The Specialist [DVD](1975) DVD
A handsome lawyer meets his match when he comes up against a ``specialist'' whose specialty is seduction. Adam West, Anna Capri. 93 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English.
Fiona(1977) VHS
She's the headline-making British temptress whose sexploits outdid any fictional film. Now, Fiona Richmond stars in her own story, a racy softcore romp that traces her adventures as stewardess, writer, and all-around "boy toy." Anthony Steele, Victor Spinetti co-star. AKA: "Hardcore." 82 min.
Hooper [DVD](1978) DVD
The unglamorous and dangerous life of Hollywood stuntmen is portrayed in this comedy from star Burt Reynolds and director Hal Needham (two former stuntmen themselves). Burt plays Sonny Hooper, the industry's premier trick driver, whose body has seen better days and who is roped into performing one last death-defying stunt by a young up-and-comer (Jan-Michael Vincent). With Sally Field, Brian Keith. 100 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English stereo; scene access.
Time Warp (1981)/Warp Speed [DVD](1981) DVD
TV Batman Adam West lends his square-jawed charisma to these two sci-fi spectaculars. First, an astronaut returns home to his family, only to discover he's trapped in a "Time Warp" one year in the future, and invisible to all around him. Co-stars Kirk Alyn (of "Superman" serial fame), Hildy Brooks. Next, it's "Warp Speed" ahead as a gorgeous psychic (Camille Mitchell) attempts to meld her mind with the memories lingering aboard a spacecraft (captained by West) missing its crew. David Chandler, Gela Nash also star. 182 min. total. Standard/Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; theatrical trailers.
One Dark Night [DVD](1983) DVD
Some high school sorority sisters take a dare and spend the night in a cemetery crypt. The only problem is, the tomb they pick is home to a "psychic vampire" who uses his powers to reanimate corpses to prey on the girls. Classic chiller stars Meg Tilly, Robin Young, Elizabeth Daily, and Adam West. AKA: "Rest in Peace." 94 min. Soundtrack: English; audio commentary; featurette; theatrical trailer.
Joyride [DVD](1997) DVD
A pair of thrill-seeking young men get more than they bargained for when they steal a beautiful blonde's car, because their "victim" is an assassin-for-hire who'll get her auto back...over their dead bodies. Intense action tale stars Tobey Maguire, Benicio Del Toro, Amy Hathaway, Wilson Cruz, and Adam West. 92 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital Surround.
Run For Cover [DVD](1997) DVD
A team of former KGB agents have made their way into New York City to launch a terrorist attack, and it's up to maverick Desert Storm war hero Tom Dunne to stop their plan from becoming a reality. Intense actioner also features Adam West, Viveca Lindfors, former Gotham mayor Ed Koch, Heather Graham and Hope Davis; not in 3-D. 83 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; audio commentary; biographies; theatrical trailer.
Drop Dead Gorgeous [DVD](1999) DVD
Beauty pageants are spoofed to the max in this barbed satire featuring Denise Richards and Kirsten Dunst as rivals vying to represent Minnesota in the Miss Teen Princess America contest. Also battling it out are their mothers: Richards' mom, Kirstie Alley, is a former pageant winner, while Ellen Barkin, Dunst's mother, is a trailer park trash queen. With Nora Dunn and Adam West as himself. 98 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles: English; filmographies; DVD-ROM content; theatrical trailer.
Hollywood's Hot Wheels [DVD](1999) DVD
Go along for the ride with Adam West as he narrates this fun-filled behind-the-scenes look at some of Tinseltown's most well-known cars. Included are the Green Hornet's Black Beauty, Doc Brown's time-hopping DeLorean from the "Back to the Future" trilogy and, of course, the Batmobile from the 1960s TV series, along with many others. Includes interviews with famed customizers George Barris and Dean Jeffries and filmmaker Roger Corman. 58 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.
Return To The Batcave: The Misadventures Of Adam And Burt [DVD](2003) DVD
With all the campy fun of the '60s "Batman" TV series, this reunion movie/docudrama finds ex-caped crusaders Adam West and Burt Ward reteaming for a charity event, only to have the Batmobile stolen from them. As the still-dynamic duo hunts for the missing car and meets old "foes" Frank Gorshin and Julie Newmar, flashbacks show how they became instant stars during the "Batmania" craze and their off-the-set struggles. Lee Meriwether and Lyle Waggoner (who almost landed the Batman role in 1966) also star. 90 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; DVD-ROM content.
Batman: Holy Batmania! [DVD](2003) DVD
Go behind the scenes of Batman and Robin's delightfully campy 1966-1968 television show and accompanying theatrical film with these four bat-tastic documentaries that feature a retrospective chronicling the Caped Crusaders' journey from the comics to the screen and in-depth profiles of series stars Adam West, Cesar Romero, and Julie Newmar. 176 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; TV spots; theatrical trailers; trivia; more.
Monster Island [DVD](2004) DVD
After winning a contest for a dream vacation, a group of six friends suddenly find themselves trapped on a strange island in the Bermuda Triangle. With only an MTV camera crew to protect them, they must fight off the area's freaky inhabitants while trying to find and rescue damsel-in-distress Carmen Electra (who portrays herself). Hilarious spoof co-stars Daniel Letterle, Mary Elizabeth Winstead; with cameos by Adam West, Nick Carter. 92 min. Soundtrack: English.
Tales From Beyond [DVD](2004) DVD
Holy playing against type, Batman! Adam West sheds his "camp" persona for this creepy anthology fantasy, playing the enigmatic owner of a mysterious antiquarian bookstore. When an unsuspecting couple enters the store shopping for a rare volume they can give as a present, what they get instead is...mind-bending thrills! AAGH! Josh Austin, Nate Barlow, and Elisabeth Abbott also star. 110 min. Soundtrack: English; bonus footage; theatrical trailers.
Chicken Little [Blu-ray](2005)
Disney's first in-house foray into feature-length computer animation, this sci-fi spin on the venerable fable finds young Chicken Little--whose warning that the sky was falling threw his town into a panic--unable to make anyone believe that he and his friends have witnessed the start of an alien invasion. Zach Braff, Joan Cusack, Don Knotts, Garry Marshall, and Patrick Stewart are among the voice talents in this fun-filled family hit. 81 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish, French; audio commentary; deleted scenes; featurette; music videos; game; more.
Chicken Little [DVD](2005) DVD
Disney's first in-house foray into feature-length computer animation, this sci-fi spin on the venerable fable finds young Chicken Little--whose warning that the sky was falling threw his town into a panic--unable to make anyone believe that he and his friends have witnessed the start of an alien invasion. Zach Braff, Joan Cusack, Don Knotts, Garry Marshall, and Patrick Stewart are among the voice talents in this fun-filled family hit. 81 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH); deleted scenes; featurette; music videos; game; more.
Family Guy, Vol. 2: Season 3 [DVD](2000) DVD
All 21 episodes from the third season--including "The Thin White Line," "Brian Does Hollywood," "One If by Clam, Two If by Sea," "Screwed the Pooch" and "Road to Europe," plus the unaired "Once upon a Weinstein"--are featured, uncut and uncensored, in this three-disc collection. 8 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital Surround, French Dolby Digital stereo, Spanish Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; featurette; more.
filmography
FILM
Sexina: Popstar P.I. (2007) with Annie Golden
Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Angels with Angles (2005) with Frank Gorshin, Rodney Dangerfield, Soupy Sales, Frank Stallone, Dwayne Hickman, Jerry Mathers, and Richard Moll
Buckaroo (2005) with Gary Busey
Tales from Beyond (2004)
Monster Island (2004) with Carmen Electra
Baadasssss! (2004) with Ossie Davis and David Alan Grier
XIII (2003)
Seance (2001) with Corey Feldman
Everything's George (2000) with Julie Carmen, Frank Gorshin, Rodney Dangerfield, Soupy Sales, and Frank Stallone
American Vampire (2000) with Carmen Electra
Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) with Kirsten Dunst, Ellen Barkin, and Kirstie Alley
The Size of Watermelons (1996) with Paul Rudd, Donovan Leitch, and Ione Skye
Joyride (1996) with Tobey Maguire and Benicio Del Toro
The Clinic (1995) with Kimberly Oja
Run for Cover (1995) with Viveca Lindfors
The New Age (1994) with Peter Weller and Judy Davis
Lookwell (1993) with Bart Braverman
Maxim Xul (1991)
Return Fire (1991)
Omega Cop (1990) with Troy Donahue and Stuart Whitman
Doin' Time on Planet Earth (1988) with Gloria Hendry, Hugh O'Brian, Roddy McDowall, and Maureen Stapleton
Mad About You (1988) with Wolf Larson
Night of the Kickfighters (1988)
Zombie Nightmare (1986) with Jon Mikl Thor and Tia Carrere; once aired on Mystery Science Theater 3000
The Last Precinct (1986) with Keenan Wynn, Wings Hauser, and Misty Rowe
Young Lady Chatterley II (1985) with Harlee McBride and Sybil Danning
Hellriders (1984) with Tina Louise
One Dark Night (1983) with Meg Tilly
I Take These Men (1983) with Susan Saint James and Brian Dennehy
Warp Speed (1981)
For the Love of It (1980) with Don Rickles, Jeff Conaway, Tom Bosley, and Henry Gibson
The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood (1980) with Martine Beswick, Chris Lemmon, Richard Deacon, Phil Silvers, and Susan Kiger
Legends of the Superheroes (1979) with Jeff Altman, Charlie Callas, Frank Gorshin, and Burt Ward
Hooper (1978) with Burt Reynolds, Jan-Michael Vincent, Sally Field, Brian Keith, and James Best
Fiona (1977) with Fiona Richmond
The Specialist (1975) with Alvy Moore
Nevada Smith (1975) with Lorne Greene
Hell River (1974) with Rod Taylor
Poor Devil (1973) with Sammy Davis Jr., Christopher Lee, Jack Klugman, and Madlyn Rhue
Curse of the Moon Child (1972) with Jeremy Slate
The Eyes of Charles Sand (1972) with Peter Haskell, Joan Bennett, Barbara Rush, Bradford Dillman, and Gary Clarke
The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker (1971) with Richard Benjamin and Elizabeth Ashley
The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1969) with Nancy Kwan, Robert Alda, David Brian, and Chick Chandler
Alexander the Great (1968) with William Shatner, John Cassavetes, and Joseph Cotten
Batman: The Movie (1966) with Burt Ward, Lee Meriwether, Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith, Frank Gorshin, Alan Napier, and Neil Hamilton
The Relentless Four (1965) with Raf Baldassarre and Red Ross
Mara of the Wilderness (1965) with Lori Saunders, Eve Brent, and Denver Pyle
The Outlaws Is Coming (1965) with the Three Stooges, Nancy Kovack, and Henry Gibson
Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964) with Paul Mantee and Victor Lundin
Soldier in the Rain (1963) with Jackie Gleason, Steve McQueen, Tuesday Weld, Tom Poston, Ed Nelson, and Chris Noel
Tammy and the Doctor (1963) with Sandra Dee, Peter Fonda, Macdonald Carey, Beulah Bondi, Joan Marshall, and Alice Pearce
Geronimo (1962) with Chuck Connors, Ross Martin, and Denver Pyle
The Young Philadelphians (1959) with Paul Newman, Barbara Rush, Alexis Smith, Brian Keith, Robert Vaughn, and Anthony Eisley
TELEVISION SERIES
Family Guy, 1999-2006 Fox animated TV series. West voiced the character Mayor Adam West in 21 episodes
Black Scorpion, 2001-2002 Sci-Fi Channel TV series. West portrayed Dr. Noah Goddard. Also in the cast were Lou Ferrigno, Frank Gorshin, Robert Pine, and Soupy Sales
The Adventures of Pete & Pete, 1993-1996 Nickelodeon TV series. West portrayed Principal Kent Schwinger
Danger Theatre, 1993 TV series. West portrayed Captain Mike Morgan
The Last Precinct, 1986 TV series. West portrayed Captain Rick Wright
Batman, 1966-1968 ABC TV series. West portrayed Batman/Bruce Wayne. Also in the cast were Burt Ward and Yvonne Craig
The Detectives, 1959-1962 ABC/NBC TV series. West portrayed Detective Steve Nelson during the final season
adam west links
AdamWest.com: The Official Adam West Web Site
The Caped Crusader has his own official web site, filled with photos, biographical information, and a "Bat Store" with available autographed photos and copies of West's autobiography Back to the Batcave, a read I highly recommend.
The King's Court: The Official Jerry Lawler Web Site
Visit this site to see a 1977 clip of famed wrestler Jerry Lawler in a verbal sparring match with Adam West as Batman. Hilarious!
Click on the logo to go back to Brian's Drive-In Theater
This page premiered December 12, 2003.
