‘The Riddler’ Frank Gorshin dies at 72
BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Actor Frank Gorshin, the impressionist with 100 faces but perhaps best known for his Emmy-nominated role as The Riddler on the old Batman television series, has died. He was 72.
Gorshin’s wife of 48 years, Christina, was at his side when he died at 5:25 p.m. Tuesday at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, where he was hospitalized for three weeks for a variety of ailments, 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 television 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 1966-69.
West said the death of his longtime friend was a big loss.
“Frank will be missed,” West said in a statement. “He made an indelible impression as The Riddler in the classic Batman TV series and he was a fine impressionist as well. Frank made me laugh. He was a friend and fascinating character.”
Gorshin’s final performance will be broadcast on Thursday’s CBS-TV series CSI: Crime Scene Investigations.