Bert Ward' born Bert Gervis, found sudden celebrity in the role of Robin the Boy Wonder on the 1966-1968 series "Batman," playing opposite Adam West in the title role.
Ward was 20 when the show began. His role was one that called for athleticism but also for the uttering of naive, wooden, campy, corny comments to Batman. Since that time, Ward did many a reprise of his famous role. His more recent work in acting has never measured up to his big break in show biz.
Ward did, however, create an organization that specializes in rescuing dogs, especially the larger breeds.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Iconic TV role: Dawn Wells
From 1964 to 1967, the U.S. TV audience knew Dawn Wells as the character Mary Ann (Summers) on the outlandish sitcom "Gilligan's Island."
Wells, a brunette, was a former Miss Nevada, but on "Gilligan's Island," she played the cute girl next door role, not the role of the glamorous movie star. And she did cute very well.
Prior to the role that brought her celebrity, Wells had appeared on "Bonanza," "77 Sunset Strip," and "Maverick." After her famous role, she concentrated on musical theater and worked as a celebrity spokesperson for a number of products.
Wells also owns a company that makes clothing for the physically challenged.
Wells, a brunette, was a former Miss Nevada, but on "Gilligan's Island," she played the cute girl next door role, not the role of the glamorous movie star. And she did cute very well.
Prior to the role that brought her celebrity, Wells had appeared on "Bonanza," "77 Sunset Strip," and "Maverick." After her famous role, she concentrated on musical theater and worked as a celebrity spokesperson for a number of products.
Wells also owns a company that makes clothing for the physically challenged.
Iconic TV role: George Wendt
It's the handsome guys who become the really big stars, but chubby, cheerful looking George Wendt made a place for himself on the barstool of TV history as lovable guzzler Norm Peterson on the sitcom "Cheers," from that show's start in 1982 until its end in 1993.
Having earned his college degree in the Dismal Science (economics), Wendt's unlikely next step was to join the comedy troupe Second City, where he remained from 1974 to 1980. He got his role as Norm after having done smaller parts on such shows as "Alice," "Soap," Hart to Hart," and "MASH."
On "Cheers," he played a sort of barstool Everyman, interacting with the other excellent cast members on that show. In 1995, he very briefly had his own program, "The George Wendt Show," which closed after only seven episodes.
More recently he has been on "Seinfeld," "Frasier," and "The Larry Sanders Show."
Having earned his college degree in the Dismal Science (economics), Wendt's unlikely next step was to join the comedy troupe Second City, where he remained from 1974 to 1980. He got his role as Norm after having done smaller parts on such shows as "Alice," "Soap," Hart to Hart," and "MASH."
On "Cheers," he played a sort of barstool Everyman, interacting with the other excellent cast members on that show. In 1995, he very briefly had his own program, "The George Wendt Show," which closed after only seven episodes.
More recently he has been on "Seinfeld," "Frasier," and "The Larry Sanders Show."
Iconic TV role: Adam West
Adam West, born William West Anderson, will always remain in the popular memory Batman and that comic book hero's mega-rich alter ego Bruce Wayne.
This actor began his career as a comedy straight-man, after which he played on a kids' show in Hawaii.
He found parts in TV westerns in a few movies prior to taking the campy role of Batman in the hit series of the same name that ran from 1966 to 1968. This TV show appealed greatly to children, but also offered comic asides (and the remarkably construcged Julie Newmar) for their parents, especially the dads.
West was so closely identified with Batman that he had trouble getting subsequent leading roles, but he appeared in smaller parts in a great number of other shows while also making appearances as the Caped Crusader. At one time, he got an offer to portray James Bond, 007, but refused the part.
This actor began his career as a comedy straight-man, after which he played on a kids' show in Hawaii.
He found parts in TV westerns in a few movies prior to taking the campy role of Batman in the hit series of the same name that ran from 1966 to 1968. This TV show appealed greatly to children, but also offered comic asides (and the remarkably construcged Julie Newmar) for their parents, especially the dads.
West was so closely identified with Batman that he had trouble getting subsequent leading roles, but he appeared in smaller parts in a great number of other shows while also making appearances as the Caped Crusader. At one time, he got an offer to portray James Bond, 007, but refused the part.
Iconic TV role: David White
TV viewers who are well into middle age or even more will surely recall the hit comedy show "Bewitched," starring cute-as-a-button Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha the witch. In the role of semi-sleazy ad executive Larry Tate, boss of Samantha's hubby, Darrin, was actor David White.
White appeared as Larry Tate for the series' entire run: from 1964 to 1972. He played this role with just the right balance between being a grasping jerk yet somehow managing to remain likable.
White, who served in the Marines in World War II, also had small parts on a good many other shows, including westerns "Bonanza," "Have Gun Will Travel," and "The Virginian." In addition, he had parts on "The Untouchables," "The Twilight Zone," and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," and other shows.
The versatile White also acted on Broadway. He died of a heart attack in 1990 at age 74.
White appeared as Larry Tate for the series' entire run: from 1964 to 1972. He played this role with just the right balance between being a grasping jerk yet somehow managing to remain likable.
White, who served in the Marines in World War II, also had small parts on a good many other shows, including westerns "Bonanza," "Have Gun Will Travel," and "The Virginian." In addition, he had parts on "The Untouchables," "The Twilight Zone," and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," and other shows.
The versatile White also acted on Broadway. He died of a heart attack in 1990 at age 74.
Iconic TV role: Jaleel White
From 1990 to 1998,African-American child actor Jaleel White, playing the part of Steve Urkel on the sitcom "Family Matters," was known as "America's favorite nerd."
Wearing mismatched outfits that included saddle oxfords, suspenders, and "high-water pants," White rapidly became the unquestioned star of that show. His versatility was such that he also played other recurring roles on that sitcom, most notably the smooth and worldly Stefan Urquelle, anti-nerd.
An older White acted in another sitcom, "Grown-Ups," during 1999 and 2000, but his claim to public memory remains as Steve Urkel.
White was able to show his talent prior to "Family Matters" in TV commercials and in small parts in "The Jeffersons," and another show or two.
Viewers who remembered White might have recognized him in a 2007 bit part on the wonderful comedy series "Boston Legal."
Wearing mismatched outfits that included saddle oxfords, suspenders, and "high-water pants," White rapidly became the unquestioned star of that show. His versatility was such that he also played other recurring roles on that sitcom, most notably the smooth and worldly Stefan Urquelle, anti-nerd.
An older White acted in another sitcom, "Grown-Ups," during 1999 and 2000, but his claim to public memory remains as Steve Urkel.
White was able to show his talent prior to "Family Matters" in TV commercials and in small parts in "The Jeffersons," and another show or two.
Viewers who remembered White might have recognized him in a 2007 bit part on the wonderful comedy series "Boston Legal."
Iconic TV role: Barry Williams
Barry Williams, who was born Barry William Blenkhorn, achieved his measure of celebrity in the role of eldest brother Greg Brady on the popular series "The Brady Bunch,"which ran from 1969 to 1974. During those years, he was quite the teenage heartthrob.
He was a pleasant-looking lad with a winning smile. Now he is a pleasant-looking middle aged man with a winning smile.
Prior to the role that brought him celebrity, he had appeared in a number of bit parts in such shows as "Dragnet," "That Girl," and Mission: Impossible."
Since the mid 1970s, Williams has acted in stage musicals and had a role in "General Hospital." In no way, however, has he matched the success of his role as Greg Brady.
He was a pleasant-looking lad with a winning smile. Now he is a pleasant-looking middle aged man with a winning smile.
Prior to the role that brought him celebrity, he had appeared in a number of bit parts in such shows as "Dragnet," "That Girl," and Mission: Impossible."
Since the mid 1970s, Williams has acted in stage musicals and had a role in "General Hospital." In no way, however, has he matched the success of his role as Greg Brady.
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