Home> Facts and Trivia > Stars > Adam West
Adam West Facts
| Sign | Virgo |
| Born |
Sep 19, 1928 Walla Walla, WA |
| Died |
Jun 9, 2017 Los Angeles, CA |
| Age | Died at 88 |
| Total Facts | 33 |
A movie and comic book buff.
According to DC Comics statistics, Batman stands 6-foot-2. Of all the actors who have played Batman, West is believed to be the only one who stood the same height.
After playing the role of a resourceful secret agent in a Nestle's Quik commercial in the early '60s, he caught the eye of ABC executives. They figured that he might be right for an upcoming TV show that was about to be produced, "Batman" (1966). The rest is history.
At Lakeside High School, he excelled in sports and served as school president of his graduating class, which he graduated from in 1946.
Beat out 2 other actors, Lyle Waggoner and Ty Hardin, for the lead role in "Batman" (1966).
Before he was a successful actor, he also worked as an Island tour guide.
Before he was a successful actor, he worked as a radio disc jockey, where he founded a military television station that his knack for deadpan comedy expanded.
Before he was an successful, he also played water polo, ran track, skied and swam at Whitman College.
Began his career as a contract player for Warner Bros. in 1959.
Best known by the public for his starring role as the title character in "Batman" (1966).
Discussed the lead role in Diamonds Are Forever (1971) with Albert R. Broccoli. At the time there were plans to reboot the franchise with an American Bond. West felt the role should be played by a British actor and ruled himself out of contention.
Enjoys fishing.
Father of Hunter Anderson, Jonelle S. Anderson, Nina West and Perrin West.
Future comedians Conan O'Brien, Drew Carey, Bill Maher, Ross Shafer, radio disc jockey Howard Stern, "The Simpsons" (1989) Matt Groening and weatherman/game show announcer Rich Fields, all said West was their childhood television hero.
Graduated from Lakeside High School in Seattle, Washington, in 1946.
Graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, with a bachelor's degree in Literature and a minor in Psychology.
Had his creative dentist add a little black Batman logo to one of his molars.
Has shared two roles with Val Kilmer: Bruce Wayne/Batman and lawman John "Doc" Holliday. He also shares the latter role with his Batman cast mate, Cesar Romero.
He has 11 hobbies: fishing, skiing, spending time with his family, golfing, traveling, riding motorcycles, reading, watching movies, swimming, surfing and dancing.
He has his own web page where you can purchase his book, get memorabilia and even send him E-mail.
His daughter Nina West is the host of the TV Land Real Estate (2002) (TV). She is also a model and has twice appeared with her father on Howard Stern's radio show.
His father, Otto West Anderson was a charismatic farmer, his mother, Audrey Speer was a singer.
His former "Batman" (1966) co-star, Burt Ward, made a cameo appearance, voicing on an episode of "The Simpsons" (1989), with him, in 2002. Eight years later, Ward would also make another cameo appearance with him, voicing on an episode of "SpongeBob SquarePants" (1999), in 2010.
His mother, Audrey Speer, of the Christian musical group, the Speers, died in 1969.
Is also very good friends with: Yvonne Craig, Clint Eastwood, James Garner, Robert Fuller, James Drury and the late Brian Keith.
Married his first wife, Billi Lou Yeager, when she was 17.
Member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Moved with his mother and brother to Seattle, Washington, when he was only 15, this was after his parents' divorce.
Remained good friends with Burt Ward, during and after the original "Batman" (1966).
Was drafted into the United States Army, for two years.
Was one of the 3 actors to appear in every episode of the original "Batman" (1966) series.
Was the third actor to play Batman (though some may credit him as the first, as the old serials are much more obscure than West's "Batman" (1966) TV series).
West once appeared on the "Batman" (1992) animated series playing - of all things - an out-of-work actor who was unable to escape his identification with the role of a superhero he had played decades earlier, the Gray Ghost. Prior to this, West had supplied the voice of Batman on the "SuperFriends: The Legendary Super Powers Show" (1984) animated series.