Frank Gorshin ("The Riddler") Passes Away At Age 72

[Pavan]

'The Riddler' Frank Gorshin Dies at 72


BURBANK, Calif. - 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.

[James"Thunder"Early]

Just heard that on my local news

[Stormtracker TF]

[Penny Lane]

He was hilarious as the "giggly" Riddler.

RIP Frank

[Jrnygrl]

Originally Posted by Penny Lane

He was hilarious as the "giggly" Riddler.

RIP Frank

I agree with you Penny Lane, Frank Gorshon was wht best Riddler. His laugh was the best. They also didn't mention in his film credits, he had a role in the movie "Where The Boys Are."

RIP Frank!

[spunkygirl]

RIP Frank

[Mr. Television]

R.I.P. Frank. You were hilarious as The Riddler.

[Chad22]

Aw Man, The Riddler was my favorite Batman Villain.

R.I.P. Frank Gorshin.

[Superstar]

R.I.P

[musicradio77]

HannaBarberaFan was posted on TTTP on GAC Forums regarding:

He was one of the post-MEL BLANC voice actors in the CHUCK JONES - directed LOONEY TUNES vignettes of the 1990's: As FOGHORN LEGHORN in "SUPERIOR DUCK" & "PULLET SURPRISE", and as YOSEMITE SAM in "FROM HARE TO ETERNITY".

RIP

[Cactus Jack]

RIP Frank He was a hilarious impressionist

[robyrob]

R. I. P.

?

[dandelion wine]

I loved him as the Riddler! Rest in peace, Frank.

[Skywalker]

R.I.P. Frank.

[Kristen J.]

Rest In Peace Frank!! We Love You!!