'Batman' Riddler Gorshin Dies
(Wednesday, May 18 11:20 AM)
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) Frank Gorshin, best known as the original Riddler on the classic "Batman" television series, had died. The film and television actor, a veteran of more than 80 screen roles, was 72.
According to media reports, Gorshin lost a long fight with lung cancer, emphysema and pneumonia. Christina, his wife of 48 years, was with him at the end.
Gorshin, who was noted for his work as an impressionist, as the green tights-clad Riddler, a role he played on ABC's "Batman" a number of times between 1966 and 1967. He also played the character in the camptastic 1966 "Batman" film. In 1966, he earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding performance by an actor in a supporting role for the episode "Hi Diddle Riddle."
"Frank will be missed," Gorshin's "Batman" co-star Adam West tells the AP.
"He was a friend and fascinating character."
Gorshin was seen on a number of other television landmarks, including "Ironside," "Charlie's Angels" and "Wonder Woman" and also co-starred in features like "Twelve Monkeys."
He will have his final television appearance in a cameo on Thursday (May 20) night's season finale of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."