RIP: Adam West — Legendary Batman Actor Passes Away at 88

Adam West, the legendary actor, best known for playing Batman in his 1966 television series and film, Adam West has passed away at 88 after a short battle with lukemia. His family released a statement saying

— “Our dad always saw himself as The Bright Knight, and aspired to make a positive impact on his fans’ lives. He was and always will be our hero,”

It’s hard to overstate what an effect Adam West’s performance of Batman had on pop culture at large. His serious but campy tone — developed by the show’s creator, Lorenzo Semple Jr and himself — brought a new level of weird and cool to America’s televisions in the 1960’s. The seriousness that he brought to a ridiculous personification was influential for a generation of comedians, writers — and brought new popularity to the legendary character who is still ridiculously popular for many decades since, in no small part to him.

Adam West made himself better known to a new generation of viewers through his performance as Mayor West on Family Guy as well, and has made himself known as a warm and generous personality who was giving to his many fans. When Variety asked him about his relationship to the role, he said—

“ Some years ago I made an agreement with Batman. There was a time when Batman really kept me from getting some pretty good roles, and I was asked to do what I figured were important features. However, Batman was there, and very few people would take a chance on me walking on to the screen. And they’d be taking people away from the story. So I decided that since so many people love Batman, I might as well love it too. Why not? So I began to reengage myself with Batman. And I saw the comedy. I saw the love people had for it, and I just embraced it.”

Adam West was an incredible performer and his influence will be felt for years to come. What’s your favorite Adam West memory? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter at @WhatsTrending.