Riddle me this, Caped Crusader...

[gridlore]

'The Riddler' Frank Gorshin Dies at 72

Frank Gorshin, the impressionist with 100 faces best known for his Emmy-nominated role as the Riddler on the "Batman" TV series, has died. He was 72.

Gorshin's wife of 48 years, Christina, was at his side when he died Tuesday at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, his agent and longtime friend, Fred Wostbrock, said Wednesday.

"He put up a valiant fight with lung cancer, emphysema and pneumonia," Mrs. Gorshin said in a statement.

Despite dozens of TV and movie credits, Gorshin will be forever remembered for his role as the Riddler, Adam West's villainous foil in the question mark-pocked green suit and bowler hat on "Batman" from 1966 to '69.

"It really was a catalyst for me," Gorshin recalled in a 2002 Associated Press interview. "I was nobody. I had done some guest shots here and there. But after I did that, I became a headliner in Vegas, so I can't put it down."

The Riddler is by far my favorite Bat-villain, and Gorshin's portrayal was exactly what it should have been, cunning, over the edge, and subtly dangerous. (I'm still of the opinion that Jum Carrey was ripped off by sharing the screen with Two-Face and not having writers who knew what a riddle really is.. but that's another rant.)

He will be missed.

(WinAmp scores again...)

Comments

[fimbrethil.livejournal.com]

Oh No! He is by far my favorite villian as well. Harry will be heart broken. As am I. Sad, sad, sad.

[dandelion-diva.livejournal.com]

No way! He was just in town, doing his (one man, I *think*)show about George Burns. Dammit. He was fabulous. (I'd love to say "in the show", but I wasn't able to see it.) I wish him well in whatever comes next.

Gessi