- George Lazenby, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1969.
- Sean Connery, Diamonds Are Forever, 1971.
- Gene Hackman, The French Connection, 1971. The budget was as low as the expectations. Suggestions for the NYPD cop ‘Popeye’ Doyle (from director William Friedkin and Fox chief Richard Zanuck) included Taylor, writer Jimmy Breslin, Charles Bronson, Jackie Geason, Steve McQueen, Lee Marvin, Paul Newman… and, cheapest of all, the Fox Batman, Adam West. Holy moley!!!!
- Ron Ely, Doc Savage, The Man of Bronze, 1975. Producer George Pal saw the 1933-49 collection of superhero pulps as a potential 007-style goldmine – and bought all 181 stories! He saw West, TV’s podgy Batman, but signed “the fine, under-rated” Ely, TV’s Tarzan. In the end credits, Doc Savage, Archenemy of Evil was promised on the next in the series, but Pal was too early – a rare error. Six years later, Indiana Jones, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg did it with tons more elan.
- Michael Keaton, Batman, 1988.
- David Baxt, Batman, 1988.
Tributes >>>>>>>
From one Batman to another… “Adam West exemplified heroism. Kind, funny and an all around great guy. Thank you for showing us all how it’s done. ” – Ben Affleck.“Stellar, exemplar, a king to the end. He was bright, witty and fun to work with… He meant so much to people.” Julie Newamar, Catwoman.
“I am devastated at the loss of one of my very dearest friends. Adam and I had a special friendship for more than 50 years. We shared some of the most fun times of our lives together; our families have deep love and respect for each other… There are several fine actors who have portrayed Batman in films, in my eyes there was only one real Batman and that is and always will be Adam West; He was truly the Bright Knight.” – Burt Ward, Robin.
“Holy heartbreak Batman! Adam West was a big part of my childhood. We were acquaintances in my adulthood. A wonderful man who will be missed.” – Jamie Lee Curtis.
I wrote a script for Batman once – way back in the 70s. Hearing that Adam West was due into London on a promo trip, the UK government’s Central Office of Information asked if he’d suit up in a road safety clip for kids. Man in charge was a neighbour and he asked me to write a script. KERPOW! “Before crossing the road, look right, look left, look right again and if all’s clere, cross…” Her was an abosluyrte genty when we shot it around the corner from where I lived in Kennington (Chaplin’s birthplace). I naturally took along my young son, Nic – then a Batfan and today, exec-producer of The Parts You Lose and Brightburn. – TC
Birth year: 1928Death year: 2017Other name: Casting Calls: 5