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Illo: Batfriend.com
The passing this week of Frank Gorshin, the dastardly Riddler, turned correspondent El Duque morbid. In the comments section under the commemorative picture of Mr. Gorshin below, Duque pleaded, "How many of the TV Batman's foes are still alive?"
The news isn't good.
Thirty-six actors challenged the Dynamic Duo as "Special Guest Villains."
Twenty-four have died.
Among the dozen still with us are all three Catwomen: Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt and Lee Merriweather. The other nine, in bat-alphabetical order:
Joan Collins (The Siren)
Zsa Zsa Gabor (Minerva)
Glynis Johns (Lady Penelope Peasoup)
Van Johnson (The Minstrel)
Cliff Robertson (Shame)
Barbara Rush (Nora Clavicle)
Malachi Throne (False Face)
Eli Wallach (Mr. Freeze)
Shelley Winters (Ma Parker)
By taking roles in Batman, did two dozen stars unwittingly sentence themselves to death?
You don't think it's possible? Ask Roddy McDowall (Bookworm). Ask Liberace (Chandell). Ask Tallulah Bankhead (Black Widow).
There's only one problem. You can't.
They're all dead.