Mild, mild West
Batman actor will headline stars attending the inaugural Vancouver event
Actor Adam West is perfectly content to continually talk about his iconic role playing Batman at events like Fan Expo Vancouver
The right role can be a blessing and a curse.
Become typecast and it may confound opportunities to branch out in your craft. But it can also pay the bills in both good times and bad. Just ask Adam West. Born William West Anderson in Seattle on Sept. 19, 1928, the 83-yearold actor played the role of Bruce Wayne and his superhero alter-ego on the campy series Batman from 1966-1968. He never escaped the role after that, save perhaps for his voice-over work as Mayor Adam West; since 2000, he’s been the lunatic in charge of city hall in Quahog, R.I., on the animated series Family
Guy. But West isn’t complaining. For four decades-plus, he’s been a mainstay at fan conferences such as this weekend’s inaugural Fan Expo Vancouver, talking Batman and more Batman in his distinctly resonant speaking voice.
“I’ve been very lucky to have found my own special niche and been labelled an icon because a character I created became a part of pop culture,” says West. “It’s a good fortune that keeps going on and on and has kept me working steadily, if not in big important films or series, with the exception of the voice-over work on Family Guy. If you can get over the issue of being typecast and get out there and meet and appreciate your fans, it’s pretty fantastic.”
He goes on to joke that “it’s a job that keeps giving” long after there are any residual cheques coming in from reruns; a business practice that didn’t exist years back. West, often accompanied by actor Burt Ward, who played his sidekick Robin, does about 10 fan conventions a year. He’s one of the cult octogenarians such as William “Captain Kirk” Shatner who just don’t seem to ever go out of demand. The promoters of the Vancouver event hope to build it into something that’s as big a draw as the Toronto version through presenting the likes of West, Star Trek:
Next Generation members, cast from new locally shot shows such as Continuum and more. Nice. “I know. I’ve just finished three more Family Guy episodes and the voice work as the mayor hosting the series video game. Ultimately, I’m long past the point of giving a hoot about not winding up the leading man as was once predicted. I’m a farmer from Walla Walla, for goodness sake.”
Not surprisingly, his career began in radio. Farm reports, Christian revivals broadcasts, newsreading and even an early progenitor of the
Today Show all filled his pre-batman resume. One of the best stories of his post-series career was being offered the role of James Bond and turning it down. Oopsy.
“Yes, we had dinner in London and we discussed it but I won’t say it was ever really offered. There was no contract and I was under other obligations anyways. Plus, ultimately, I thought it should be played by a Brit or at least a Canadian.”
Doubtless the Scot who reprised the role is thankful that West reasoned so. To this very day, you can tell from talking to West that he’s full of the same style of satire that fuelled both the series and defines his Family Guy skits.
“Ah, to be part of the three B’s of the ’60s: Batman, Bond and the Beatles. To be the classic bright knight rather than the gloomy dark knight. And then to take the craziest aspects of that character and amplify it into the mayor who is completely nuts. Well, that’s pretty fortunate, don’t you think?”
Biff! Bang! Pow! That’s a knockout.
Adam West and Burt Ward both appear at this weekend’s Fan Expo Vancouver.