Frank Gorshin, RIP.

The man who played the Riddler in the original Batman series is dead.

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 yesterday.

"He put up a valiant fight with lung cancer, emphysema and pneumonia," Christina 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 2002. "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."

I used to work with Gorshin's nephew, who kept an autographed picture on the sideboard behind his desk. We used to laugh at our memories of Gorshin as the Riddler and of his appearances on Carson and The Mike Douglas Show.

Jack at Random Fate points out an important detail:

The best tribute to him, however, is likely this:

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.

They stayed together for 48 years.

That says a lot.

Yes it does. Gorshin was 72.

Comments

[Elaine]

Hi - I'm just a fan - I met Frank several times at shows and conventions, but I didn't really KNOW him.

However, I have to make a comment about the above post. Yes, Christina Gorshin WAS at his side when he died; however, they had been estranged for quite some time. For the past five years he was with a woman he refered to as his fiance - Haji. Not to take away from Mrs. Christina Gorshin ... but there are always two sides to every story.