Posted on 05/18/2005 11:55:14 AM PDT by nuconvert
'The Riddler' Frank Gorshin Dies at 72
By JEFF WILSON, /Associated Press Writer
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."
West said the death of his longtime friend was a big loss.
"Frank will be missed," West said in a statement. "He was a friend and fascinating character."
Gorshin earned another Emmy nomination for one for a guest shot on "Star Trek," a 1969 episode called "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield."
In 2002, Gorshin portrayed George Burns on Broadway in the one-man show "Say Goodnight Gracie." He used only a little makeup and no prosthetics.
"I don't know how to explain it. It just comes," he said. "I wish I could say, `This is step A, B and C.' But I can't do that. I do it, you know. The ironic thing is I've done impressions all my life — I never did George Burns."
Gorshin's final performance will be broadcast on Thursday's CBS series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."
Born in Pittsburgh, Gorshin broke into show business in New York. He did more than 40 impressions, including Al Jolson, Kirk Douglas, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin and James Cagney.
Later, he took his impressions to "The Ed Sullivan Show" on a memorable evening — the same night the Beatles were featured. He did impressions in Las Vegas showrooms, opening for Darin and paving the way for other impressionists like Rich Little.
Sammy Davis Jr. said it was Gorshin who taught him to do impressions, Wostbrock said.
"He said you had to look like them and walk like them. Once you get that down, the voice comes easy," he said.
Gorshin's movie roles included "Bells are Ringing" (1960) with his idol Dean Martin and a batch of fun B-movies such as "Hot Rod Girl" (1956), "Dragstrip Girl" (1957) and "Invasion of the Saucer Men" (1957).
"He was fun, fascinating, wild and always a class act," Wostbrock said. "Here's a guy who always wore great clothes, stood up when a woman walked into the room — he was a gentleman. We did all our deals with a handshake. There was never a signed contract."
His other TV credits included roles on "General Hospital, "The Edge of Night" and "The Munsters" as well as guest appearances on "Donny & Marie," "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," "Murder, She Wrote," "The Fall Guy," "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century," "Wonder Woman," "Charlie's Angels" and "Police Woman."
Besides his wife, Gorshin leaves his son Mitchell Gorshin of Orlando, Fla., and sister Dottie Roland of Pittsburgh.
Wostbrock said the funeral would be private and Gorshin would be buried in the family plot in Pittsburgh.
Sorry to hear this.
Anybody find a shot of him in his Riddler suit?
Frank did one of the best John Wayne's ever! He will be missed.
Rest in pieces.
May he rest in peace.
-Regards, T.
I always liked Frank...never knew he was such a class act as well...not surprising. RIP Frank.
They left out my favorite Frank Gorshin movie role. In "Where The Boys Are" he has a weird but funny scene where he dives into an underwater bar to hang out with the cute mermaid.
Thanks for the post.
I remember his characters over the years. He was a convincing actor who seemed to have more in common with stage experience than most.
Holy Obituary, Batman!
I just saw "Bells Are Ringing" for the first time. Gorshin's Brando imitation slayed me.
So was it a respectable establishment? Or just a dive? :-)
Go easy.
He gave a terrific performance in a small role in the movie 12 Monkeys. I never thought much of him but he was quite good in that part, and it's too bad he didn't get more roles after that.
The bar in "Where the Boys Are" was the famous Elbo Room in Ft. Lauderdale. Not a dive bar, but a joint. Still going strong, I believe.
His Kirk Douglas was also quite a hoot.
One of the greats. May he rest in peace.
I just saw an ad for him appearing as George Burns last week. He was one of the more famous alumni of my high school, along with comedian Marty Allen, and I never heard anyone speak ill of him.
He was part of a great era of Hollywood.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.