Cool News
Riddle No More...
Father Geek here with Baaaad news...Frank Gorshin, the Riddler on the
"Batman" TV series, has died at age 72 Tuesday at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in California of complications of lung cancer, emphysema and
pneumonia.
Gorshin earned An Emmy nom for his work as the RIDDLER in the uber camp Batman TV show of the late 1960's and another Emmy nomination for a guest shot
on "Star Trek," in the 1969 episode called "Let That Be Your Last
Battlefield." He was a GREAT mimic, one of the very best, and ol'Father Geek used to try to catch his every appearance on Ed Sullivan, Carson and other variety, or talk shows just praying he'd do Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, or James Cagney, or better yet that he'd do a scene involving all three is some rapid fire dialogue. Annnnd his faces... simply FUNtastic!
Father Geek's first memories of Frank were as a lover'slane teenager in the ulimate bugeyed big headed green skinned alien flick... "Invasion of the Saucer Men" back in 1957. It had a long Drive In life being double or triple featured with "Killer Shrews", "Giant Gila Monster", "I Married A Monster from Outer Space", "The Blob", "Bucket of Blood", and even other Gorshin epics like "Dragstrip Girl", or "Hot Rod Girl". He kept me entertained alot during those single screen B&W Drive In years. Annnnd when I entered The University of Texas he kept the Student Union TV rooms packed when he was on BATMAN, TREK, WONDER WOMAN, BUCK ROGERS, or THE MUNSTERS.
I finally got to meet Frank last year here in Austin when he came to town with Adam West and Burt Ward... the Bat Boat, Bat Cycle, and Batmobile. Harry and I geeks to the end took my grandson lil'KublaKhan to the show to have his picture made with the vehicles and the men who drove them. He was only just turned four, but he KNEW it was something special and was on cloud nine, especially when Frank started talking to me in Riddler mode. That laugh... I thought my grandkid was going to explode... he thought it was sooooooo COOL!!! I'd seen all 3 men in person before here in Austin... on the street (Congress Ave.)in front of the Paramount Threatre when they were here for the World Premiere of the BATMAN flick they did together long ago. LOBO Kubla's pop turned to geeky mush when he saw the pics and autographs when we got the kid home later that night.
RIP Frank you've earned it... "Hey lawd, riddle me this..."
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I should mention, for people that don't know his work, that his last preformance is on the Tarantino directed season finale of CSI this Thursday.
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As one of the greats. R.I.P.
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Mr. Gorshen's death hit me hard. I remember him, of course, from Batman, but also from a great episode of Star Trek TOS and from a long forgotten show called the Copycats. I always liked him. Rest in Peace. Death, the greatest riddle of them all.
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In a lot of ways, his Riddler was closer to what the Joker should have been: a cackling madman full of insane energy.
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May 18, 2005 11:29:38 PM CDT
Jim Carrey and Robin Williams owe a great debt to Gorshin.
by truthseekr1488
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OK, I like the Riddler...I just wanted to note that when I saw 12 Monkeys for the first time and saw him as Madeline Stowe's supervisor, I flipped. He was dry, and knowledgeable, and perfect in so many ways (and I wondered if Gilliam had cast him as the head of a psychiatric hospital because he had played a cartoon psycho...).
His talent was obvious...it's a pity he never was able to fully trade the Riddler role into more Hollywood parts, which is where the real money is...
Anyway, rest in peace, Mr. Gorshin. -
Whatever you may have thought of the Batman TV show, Gorshin absolutely owned this role - he defined it. He is what the average Joe thinks of when they hear "The Riddler." Not only that, but he did lots of other work, including a well-received one-man performance as George Burns on Broadway. I saw Gorshin in an indie comedy a few years back and he was the only watchable thing in it. RIP Frank....we will miss you.
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May God bless his soul. I will always remember the joy he gave me watching him perform.
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May 19, 2005 1:33:03 AM CDT
Sad indeed, he did one of the most lunatic sounding laughs you e
by orionsangels
Fond memories as a child watching the batman tv series and he was fun to watch, unline the other villians. He really seemed like he was insanely enjoying himself. May he rest in peace
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impressionist. Ever.
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May 19, 2005 2:07:53 AM CDT
Is nice to acknowledge the passing of someone who gave us so man
by rant breath
duh.
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Batman would always have the strangest onomatopoeia. May he rest in peace and thanks for entertaining the world.
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RIP Frank
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Not only a consummate performer, but a dedicated artist. Rich Little could perhaps do more voices, but Mr. Gorshin could ACT while doing them.
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Grew up on the repeats of the 60s Batman, and frequently name-check Gorshin when we talked about the show. Sad to read about his death; great to see he lasted so long and still revelled in his role. RIP.
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Say hi to Cesar Romero in heaven. Oh, wait, the afterlife is nonsense for little children and scared old people. Still he was a fine actor.
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May 19, 2005 5:48:24 AM CDT
Why is Frank Gorshin's passing like a surgeon working on your ao
by otter
Because he has touched our hearts... I met Frank of several occasions, and he was a prince of a man.. one of the last great royalty of the Resort circuit. Take care, Frank, and have a martini with the rest of the boys.
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It should be noted that Frank Gorshin is the one and only reason that the last generation or so even know of The Riddler! The character made only 2 appearances in the comics in the late 1940's before completely disappearing from Batman's rogues gallery. It would be nearly 20 years before the character would appear again, this time in the 60's BATMAN tv series. While credit should be given to the producers and writers for deciding to include the character in the series, it was really Mr. Gorshin's bravura performance that firmly established The Riddler in the minds of tv viewers and comic book fans alike. DC comics responded in kind by upgrading The Riddler's status from 2nd stringer to A lister virtually overnight! As a result, it's nearly impossible to imagine The Riddler not being one of Batman's arch-villians along with The Joker, The Penguin, Catwoman and Two-Face. So thanks Frank. Twice over, as the aforementioned Harvey Dent might say, for creating an indelible television character and for inspiring others to do the same with The Prince of Puzzles in various other media ever since.
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Gorshin is the ONLY actor that took his role on the BATMAN series seriously. He brought an element of danger and threat to the show. Romero didn't even shave his moustache, for Chrissake's!!!!
Thanks for the great memories, Mr. Gorshin? -
It's a nice story, and I've heard it before, that Riddler would have stayed in obscurity as a 1940s-only villain if not for the TV show. But just for the record, "Hi Diddle Riddle" was based on "Remarkable Ruse of the Riddler" in Batman #171, which was Riddler's big 60s comeback. However, it's unquestionably (ha ha) true that the TV show bumped an obscure baddie to star status. Jim Carrey's Riddler is nothing more than a lame riff on Gorshin's, since Gorshin made the character his own and defined the Riddler for two generations (and counting).
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I grew up on the 60's Batman show and Gorshin was my favorite villain after Julie Newmar (but for other reasons, ahem). Furthermore, one of the funniest things I've ever seen is Gorshin's Kirk Douglas hand-over-an-open-flame impression. He will be missed.
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May 19, 2005 7:43:09 AM CDT
I read "Riddle No More..." and instantly thought "oh no Frank Go
by regicidal_maniac
This is indeed sad news.
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Gorshin's Kirk Douglas was a scream. I bought a dvd simply because in contained "The Big Story". "Eyouguyzz aRre allth' SAAAME!!!" Fantastic. He will be missed.
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May 19, 2005 8:25:01 AM CDT
settle a bet: did Ustinov ever play a criminal on the '60s Batm
by hypeendshere
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My first experience of
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May 19, 2005 8:51:14 AM CDT
Probably the first time I've heard this name, actually.
by salvatoregravano
He was from that ancient Batman TV series that made Akiva Goldsman's films appear half-watchable, wasn't he?
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I never knew the actor who played the Riddlers real name until yesterday when he was mentioned by Hank on King of the Hill on FX.
Nothing more to add, just one of lifes little coincidences. -
I met him at a Batman convention. Between Adam West, Julie Newmar and Frank ... he was the most friendly and accessible. Nice guy.
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and they were taken aback and somewhat saddened. One remembered him as the Riddler and, when prompted, for his great Kirk Douglas impression. Although it likely wasn't Gorshin's idea, I must give credit to the "Batman" TV show's costume designers for doing the character PERFECTLY. I believe the suit-and-bowler costume was created for the program, and it became such an iconic image that it entered the comics and was used in "Batman Forever" as well. Thanks for the viewing pleasure, Frank.
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This is a real bummer way to start my day. The Riddler has long been my favourite Bat Rogue and I owe THAT fact all to my memories of Frank as a kid! My condolences and thoughts to all his family and fans. Other than tuning in to CSI tonight (a show I rarely watch!) to catch one last performance, does anyone know of a good bittorrent site where I can find a few of his old episodes of Batman? I think that would be a nice way to spend the evening... sittin around with some buddies and a few beers to celebrate a great talent.
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Frank Gorshin's "Riddler" was my favorite Batman villain, and I am disheartened to see him go. That show was one of my favorites growing up, and between this and the final Star Wars film, a big part of my childhood is drawing firmly into the past.
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and no insult implies -- memory is a funny thing. 1966, the year of the Bat, fell smack in the middle of the "new look" period that first brought us a "straighter" Batman then became a bit silly as a mirror to the show. O'Neil and Adams didn't come around until 1969, after the show had been canceled.
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It must have been at least three years before my gummy, 'Bazooka-Joe' encrusted, mitts came in to contact with the superior comic version. I shall retire to my drawing-board, polish my walking-frame and reflect on a once un-tarnished recall. Respectfully - Thank you. Comic Book Guy:
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He was a talented guy and a true professional. He made even small parts like his small role in 12 MONKEYS memorable.
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May 19, 2005 2:20:37 PM CDT
He Died Merely to Hype His Appearence on Tonite's CSI/Tarantino
by deandome
An old Hollywood pro at his best...his death could NOT have been timed better. Not that CSI needs that much help gathering an audience!
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Gorshin was great, I remember seeing him in something other than Batman when I was younger and wondering why he was not being a lunatic, a true character with character.
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Admittedly, most of America won't recognize him, and he's got no real connection to the program, but it would be a nice show of respect for a fine entertainer.
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...this finally got its own talkback. Like they often say, you don't know what you've got until it's gone. I didn't realize just how much I loved this guy, in everything he's done, until I heard he'd passed. Anyone know if that George Burns one-man show was recorded and is available anywhere?
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I did a search on IMDB and did not see "Batman" among his television appearances. Then I thought maybe your post was a subtle dig at Harry for not doing an obituary for Ustinov when he passed away.
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I do.
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this kinda hit me hard because my childhood has images of the Riddler as well as the Black and White character in ST TOS, and the Copycats. I am really sad to know he was in Austin last year and I didn't go. I knew Adam West was there, but I didn't know about the rest of the cast and other batmobilia. I am really sad about this. Don't know why Batman wasn't listed on imdb... he was a regular, and definitely my favorite.
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I believe you are thinking of Victor Buono, who played "King Tut."
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I believe you are thinking of Victor Buono, who played "King Tut."
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Also, Ustinov died in 1994. I know AICN is old, but is it 11 years old?
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Didn't he play a one time villain named "Egghead"? I could be remembering wrong...
I was too young to recall the Batman TV show when it originally aired (so young, in fact, that I was not yet born), but on one the Canadian networks it ran in syndication into the mid-70's. It ran at 4:00 and all of my school chums and I would race out the door every Thursday and congregate at TJ's house (the nearest to the school) to watch. The Riddler was one of our faves. His performance was that of an actual ACTOR. Jim Carrey's Riddler was riddled with Carrey-isms just like every other role he's ever played. Frank was playing a character and no aspect of that character ever showed in anything else I've ever seen him in. I think I'm actually gonna watch CSI tonight... -
http://imdb.com/name/nm0001811/
See for yourself.................asshole -
... Egghead was played by Vincent Price, not Ustinov...
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When it comes to celebrity "impressionists", Frank was the best!! I used to watch him in his "heyday". Back then, Rich Little was regarded as "the" guy for impressions. Sorry, Rich Little wasn't fit to mow Frank's lawn!!! Everybody on this post talks about his Kirk Douglas impression. Yeah, it was awesome, but, for me, it was his Burt Lancaster!!! To this day, I can't watch a Burt Lancaster movie without "hearing" Frank Gorshin talking! (I'm chuckling right now as I type this!). Here's something else I've noticed. I only do 2 impressions. A pretty good Sean Connery and a really good "Riddler" laugh. Frank's "Riddler" laugh leaks into Krusty the Clown, from The Simpsons!! Listen, you'll hear it!! Thanks for letting me ramble. This is my first post. I just wish it was for a happier occasion! I hope Frank is doin' his "Riddler" dance and testin' God's head with his conundrums!! I know Burt will be laughin!!
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...but Gorshin was awesome.
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two very different, very great performances. what a strange actor -- what a strange career! huge range but also part of the stand-up casino scene closer to the rat pack than, oh, guy maddin. did you ever see his jack nicholson impersonation? only the BEST, EVER! definitely underrated. so long, g.
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It was nice to see that the episode of CSI last night was dedicated to Frank Gorshin with a full screen tribute at the end.
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This is so sad. Frank Gorshin was the man. He was the one who coaxed a generation of geeks into genre. It was HIS performance on the first episode of "Batman" that sealed the deal. He approached it like a real actor, and he didn't try to camp it up. He was absolutely mesmerizing, volatile, cunning and yet truly mad. I got a chance to meet him years later, after a stage production. I was backstage, and he was exhausted, sitting in his dressing room, with the door open. I politely asked if I could shake his hand, and then I gave him my standard "you made my childhood" speech. He was very gracious about it. Vaya con Dios, you fiend!
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May 23, 2005 4:21:05 PM CDT
Frank Gorshin liked to drink heavily, smoke even more, and bang
by kenshiro_kane
... and we dare call him "villain"??? Rest in peace, brother... and slip a high hard one to Vicki LaMotta in between downing a CC & water and stubbing out your last Lucky Strike.
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