Page 30 - ARUBA TODAY

A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Monday 12 June 2017
Batman forever: Original TV

Batman Adam West dead at 88

SANDY COHEN Michael Keaton, Val Kilm- and sense of fun were un-
KEITH RIDLER er, George Clooney, Chris- deniable, and it was al-
Associated Press tian Bale and Ben Affleck ways a big jolt of the best
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Bat- have since portrayed Bat- kind of energy when he
man” only aired for three man onscreen. walked in to record the
seasons in the 1960s, but “Adam West exemplified show. He knew comedy,
Adam West would remain heroism,” Affleck wrote and he knew humanity...
associated with the role on Twitter Saturday. “Kind, Thank you from the bottom
forever. funny and an all around of my heart for all that you
In this March 19, 2006 file photo, Burt Ward, left, and Adam West “You get terrible typecast great guy. Thank you for have given, Mr. Mayor.
pose for photos while walking the red carpet prior to the TV Land
Awards, in Santa Monica, Calif. playing a character like showing us all how it’s You’re irreplaceable.”
Associated Press that,” West told The Associ- done “ In April 2012, West received
ated Press in a 2014 inter- West remained friends with a star on the Hollywood
view. “But in the overall, the actor who played Bat- Walk of Fame. Born William
I’m delighted because my man’s trusty sidekick, Rob- West Anderson in Walla
character became iconic in. Burt Ward said he and Walla, Washington, he
and has opened a lot of West were friends for more moved to Seattle at age
doors in other ways, too.” than 50 years. 15 with his mother after his
West, who died late Friday “We shared some of the parents divorced.
at age 88, initially chafed most fun times of our He graduated from Whit-
as being typecast after lives together, Ward told man College, a private
“Batman” went off the the entertainment trade liberal arts school, in Walla
air, but in later years he paper Variety. Walla.
acknowledged he was “This is a terribly unexpect- After serving in the Army,
happy to have had a role ed loss of my lifelong friend. he went to Hollywood
in kicking off a big-budget I will forever miss him.” and changed his name to
film franchise by showing Julie Newmar, who played Adam West, and began
the character’s wide ap- Catwoman to West’s Bat- appearing on a number of
peal. man, said, “He was bright, television series, including
His straight-faced portrayal witty and fun to work with. “Bonanza,” ‘’Perry Mason”
of Batman in the campy “I will miss him in the physi- and “Bewitched.”
1960s TV series lifted the cal world and savor him al- His publicist, Molly
tight-clad Caped Crusad- ways in the world of imagi- Schoneveld, said Satur-
er into the national con- nation and creativity.” day that West died after
sciousness, and inspired A whole new genera- a “short but brave battle
future wearers of the su- tion of fans knew West as against leukemia.” He is
perhero’s cape and cowl. the voice of nutty Mayor survived by his wife, Mar-
The TV show was among Adam West on the long- celle, six children, five
the most popular in 1966, running animated series grandchildren and two
the year of its debut, and “Family Guy.” great-grandchildren.
some of the era’s top ac- “Adam West was a joy to “Our dad always saw him-
tors signed on to play vil- work with, and the kind of self as The Bright Knight,
lains. Burgess Meredith guy you always wanted to and aspired to make a
squawked as the Penguin. be around,” ‘’Family Guy” positive impact on his fans’
Eartha Kitt purred as Cat- creator Seth MacFarlane lives,” his children said in a
woman. And Cesar Rome- said in a statement. “His statement. “He was and
ro cackled as the Joker. positivity, good nature, always will be our hero.”q

Shakespeare scholar to hold

position in Stephen King’s honor

ORONO, Maine (AP) — A Shakespeare today, including parallels between the
scholar who grew up reading Stephen personalities of Shakespeare’s Juliet and
King’s books will hold a University of Maine King’s Carrie.
position named in honor of him. Her recent book is entitled “Shakespeare,
The University of Maine says it has named Not Stirred: Cocktails for Your Everyday
Caroline Bicks as its inaugural Stephen E. Drama.”
King chair in literature. The Stephen E. King Chair in Literature was
Bicks has been teaching English at Boston established in the University of Maine Foun-
College since 2002 and will join UMaine in dation with a $1 million gift from the Harold
September. Alfond Foundation.
She often speaks on Shakespeare’s rel- King is an alumnus of the university.q
evancy and echoes in popular culture