Adam West, the legendary actor, died at the age of 88. West is best known for his straight-faced and hilariously silly role in the original Batman from the 1960s. Adam West, who played the original Batman on television, and Frank Gorshin, who played The Riddler, were once kicked out of an orgy together. But why were the two friends kicked out?
Adam West and Frank Gorshin were kicked out of an orgy for refusing to leave their roles as Batman and The Riddler.
Adam West and Frank Gorshin’s Friendship
Gorshin hoped that his Emmy nomination for his Riddler performance would allow him to move on from doing impressions on The Ed Sullivan Show and bit parts on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, according to Ralph Garman. Although he would continue to appear in notable projects such as 1995’s 12 Monkeys before his death in May 2005 at 72, the Riddler would remain his most well-known role. But, according to Garman, Gorshin accepted this and was grateful for Batman fans, not to mention his lifelong friendship with West.
Adam would talk about Frank with such love, Largely because Frank was the first villain on the show, and they had such great chemistry together, and that translated into a great personal friendship.
Ralph Garman, co-writer of the Batman ’66 Meets the Green Hornet comic book series.
West says he and Gorshin formed a strong friendship and would catch up over the years at conventions or dinners. West, a dog lover who founded the nonprofit Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions, says Gorshin was terrified of dogs but wouldn’t let that stop him from visiting Ward’s house, where there were always dogs on the loose.
I have a photo of him sitting on a couch with me and these giant dogs, and he’s trying his best to look calm, like he’s happy.
Adam West, Actor
West remembers their time shooting the breeze on the Batman set fondly.
He was such a nice guy and such a real person, and we spent days talking about all kinds of stuff. But what a Riddler!
Adam West, Actor
(Source: Hollywood Reporter)
Frank Gorshin’s Impact on the Batman Franchise
Frank Gorshin was known for his maniacal laugh, which made an impression on both viewers and co-stars.
Even on the set, you just didn’t know what was going to come out of him. He was like superpower steering with the way he could use his body and voice.
Burt Ward, Actor
Ralph Garman, co-writer of the Batman ’66 Meets the Green Hornet comic book series, credits Gorshin with helping to establish the Riddler as a major villain in the franchise.
The Riddler had made a couple of appearances in the comics and had been largely retired by the time the mid-’60s came around. It was Frank’s embodiment that really brought that character to the forefront, who made him a main player in the Batman mythos.
Ralph Garman, co-writer of the Batman ’66 Meets the Green Hornet comic book series.
(Source: Hollywood Reporter)