On June 10, 2017, America lost an Icon of Film and Television. Adam West passed away. West is famous for portraying Batman. He is the first Batman that I knew. I remember watching him in the live action television show as I grew up. He died after a battle with Leukemia.
Adam West was born on September 19, 1928 in Walla Walla, 
Washington. Serving in the United States Army, West was an announcer for the Armed Forces Network Television. After getting out of the Military, West moved to Hawaii where he started his acting career. He played a part in a children’s television show before taking over the lead shortly thereafter.
In 1959, West moved to Hollywood. West began to have roles in Westerns as well as other well-known television shows of the time. In 1966, West was cast in his most famous role; Batman. Lyle Waggoner of Wonder Woman fame was also considered for the Batman role. West portrayed Batman on television from 1966 to 1968. A Batman movie starring Adam West was released in 1966.
As a trivia note, Adam West was offered the part of James Bond for the film Diamonds are Forever. West turned the role down. Could you imagine Batman playing James Bond?
West detoured to Memphis where he worked a skit with Jerry “The King” Lawler for the United States Wrestling Association. Wouldn’t that have been something? Batman vs The King. West began making guest appearances in several televisions series. He returned to the Batman fold in 1979 when he did voice overs for Batman in cartoons. 
West continued to act up to his death guest starring in films and television. Below is a partial list of his Filmography:
Film
- 1964: Robinson Crusoe on Mars
- 1966: Batman
- 1978: Hooper
- 1980: The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood
- 1984: Hell Riders
- 1985: Young Lady Chatterley II
- 1986: Zombie Nightmare
- 1997: American Vampire
- 1999: Drop Dead Gorgeous
- 2003: BAADASSSSS!
- 2005: Aloha, Scooby-Doo!(direct-to-DVD; voice)
- 2005: Buckaroo: The Movie
- 2005: Chicken Little(voice)
- 2005: Batman: New Times
- 2016: Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders
Television
- 1958: 77 Sunset Strip
- 1959: Lawman (as Doc Holliday)
- 1959: Sugarfoot
- 1959: Maverick (2 episodes)
- 1959: Bourbon Street Beat
- 1961: Bonanza
- 1961: Perry Mason
- 1961: Guestward, Ho!
- 1961: The Rifleman
- 1962: Perry Mason
- 1963: Gunsmoke
- 1963: Laramie
- 1964: Petticoat Junction
- 1964: Bewitched
- 1966–68: Batman
- 1972: Mannix
- 1972: Alias Smith and Jones
- 1974–75: Shazam!
- 1975: Nevada Smith
- 1976–85: Family Feud (himself; celebrity episodes)
- 1977: The New Adventures of Batman
- 1978–80: Tarzan and the Super 7
- 1979: Legends of the Superheroes
- 1984–85: Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show
- 1985–86: The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians
- 1987: Murder, She Wrote
- 1990: Zorro
- 1990: The Flash
- 1992: Rugrats
- 1992: Batman: The Animated Series
- 1992: The Ben Stiller Show
- 1992: The Simpsons
- 1994: Space Ghost Coast to Coast (himself)
- 1995: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
- 1996: Goosebumps
- 1997: Johnny Bravo
- 1997: The Wayans Bros. (himself)
- 1998: Pacific Blue
- 1998: Diagnosis Murder
- 2001: Black Scorpion!
- 2002: The Simpsons
- 2000–2017: Family Guy
- 2003: Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt
- 2004: Monster Island
- 1998–2001, 2005–06: Celebrity Deathmatch (himself)
- 2001: The Drew Carey Show
- 2004–07: The Batman
- 2005: The King of Queens, himself
- 2007: George Lopez
- 2009: 30 Rock (himself)
- 2010: SpongeBob SquarePants
- 2010: Batman: The Brave and the Bold
- 2011: The Super Hero Squad Show
- 2012: Betty White’s Off Their Rockers (himself)
- 2013: Futurama
- 2015: Scooby-Doo! and the Beach Beastie
- 2015: Robot Chicken DC Comics Special III: Magical Friendship
- 2016: The Big Bang Theory
Adam West passed away on June 10, 2017. He was 88 years old.
RIP Batman.
Bobby Inman is retired from Law Enforcement after 21 years of Service. He owns Hammer Down Gun & Pawn located in Sheffield, Alabama. He has articles published in Law & Order Magazine, Police Marksman Magazine, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine as well as several published ebooks on Amazon as well as Nook (Barnes & Noble). He is owner of Poopiedog, an Animal Rescue Dachshund, who is his constant companion. He is a Correspondent for the Quad Cities Daily.
