Adam West Biography

Actor. Born William West Anderson, on September 19, 1928, in Walla Walla, Washington. William was raised on a family-owned farm by his parents, Otto and Audrey Anderson. His mother was a talented singer, who battled depression and alcoholism. In 1943, his parents divorced and he moved with his mother to Seattle, where he attended Lakeside High School. William continued his education at nearby Witman College, earning a degree in literature and psychology. While still a student, he worked as a radio disc jockey and helped launch a military television station.

In 1955, a college acquaintance offered him a role as a sidekick on the Hawaiian children’s program, The Kini Popo Show. Accepting the offer, William moved to Hawaii, where he became a local celebrity among children and adults. While supplementing his income by working as an island tour guide, he caught the attention of a vacationing Hollywood agent, who invited him to screen test for Warner Bros. Studios. After delivering a successful audition, William was signed to a contract and moved to Hollywood. He adopted the stage name Adam West before making his feature film debut in a small but memorable part in the 1959 drama The Young Philadelphians (starring Paul Newman).

Throughout the 1960s, West enjoyed a steady stream of supporting parts in television and film. In 1961, he landed a recurring role as Sergeant Steve Nelson on the hit TV series The Detectives. His most notable film project was as the straight man to the Three Stooges in the Western spoof The Outlaws is Coming (1965). Later that year, West traveled to Italy, where he starred in the spaghetti Western The Relentless Four.

Although West enjoyed moderate success in films, his big break came when he was chosen to play the crime-fighting superhero Batman in the 1966 TV series. The show's producers, who sought to bring a touch of satire to the comic book character (and his stuffier alter ego Bruce Wayne), felt that West's flair for tongue-in-cheek comedy made him the perfect candidate for the role. Burt Ward was contracted to play Robin, completing the Dynamic Duo. Batman premiered to high ratings and equally impressive critical acclaim. The popularity of the series swelled to a phenomenal level, making household names of West and Ward. Batman boasted an impressive lineup of guest stars, including Cesar Romero (as The Joker), Julie Newmar (as Catwoman), Vincent Price (as Egghead), and Roddy McDowall (as Bookworm).

In the summer of 1966, West starred in the full-length feature Batman. The theatrical version pitted the superhero against an all-star cast of villains, including Frank Gorshin's Riddler, Burgess Meredith's Penguin, and Lee Meriwether's Catwoman.

After two successful seasons, escalating production costs and flagging ratings caused ABC to cancel the Batman series. Typecasting brought West’s career to a grinding halt. With an overwhelming sense of failure, he was reduced to making guest appearances as Batman at county fairs and rodeos.