Frank Gorshin has died
05-18-05, 11:47 AM
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Frank Gorshin has died
Just heard on Kevin & Bean in Los Angeles 106.7, that ET is saying that Frank Gorshin (The Riddler) died Tuesday afternoon.
I don't have a link yet.
Chris
I don't have a link yet.
Chris
05-18-05, 12:30 PM
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http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=768714
'The Riddler' Frank Gorshin Dies at 72
After Being Hospitalized for Weeks
The Associated Press
BURBANK, Calif. May 18, 2005 — 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."
Chris
'The Riddler' Frank Gorshin Dies at 72
After Being Hospitalized for Weeks
The Associated Press
BURBANK, Calif. May 18, 2005 — 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."
Chris
05-18-05, 12:32 PM
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RIP
Coolest laugh.....Ever.
Coolest laugh.....Ever.
05-18-05, 12:36 PM
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One of the best Batman villains ever. He always made me laugh: I remember when he was on a TV show called The Copycats which was a bunch of mimics imitating movie stars. He did the best impersonations of Richard Widmark, Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. A very funny guy.
05-18-05, 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by devilpants
One of the best Batman villains ever. He always made me laugh: I remember when he was on a TV show called The Copycats which was a bunch of mimics imitating movie stars. He did the best impersonations of Richard Widmark, Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. A very funny guy.
I also remember him doing a scene from Yankee Doodle Dandy where he caught every dance move Cagney made while singing "Yankee Doodle Dandy".
Gone but never forgotten.
05-18-05, 01:07 PM
#11
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A slightly more obscure thing I'll remember him for is doing a voice in the Diablo II video game, which I play all the time, and always think "that's Frank Gorshin" when I hear his voice during the game.
05-18-05, 03:40 PM
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Frank Gorshin (The Riddler) Passes Away
http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/0....ap/index.html
By every account, a good guy who was a solid character actor. RIP.
Batman's Riddler, Frank Gorshin, dead
Talented impressionist played George Burns on B'way
BURBANK, California (AP) -- Actor Frank Gorshin, the impressionist with 100 faces 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 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 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.
"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 a guest shot on "Star Trek."
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-TV series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."
Talented impressionist played George Burns on B'way
BURBANK, California (AP) -- Actor Frank Gorshin, the impressionist with 100 faces 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 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 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.
"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 a guest shot on "Star Trek."
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-TV series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."
05-18-05, 03:41 PM
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05-18-05, 04:06 PM
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I really enjoyed him. That said, if I were in the Legion of Doom and this asshat only had the power to give hints that would lead everyone to our plan, I'd kick him out. What a stupid power...."I subtly tell people what and where we will be doing evil. Perhaps I should stay at home....ah, I'll just give them a few hints."
05-18-05, 09:12 PM
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Man, that really sucks. I love Frank Gorshin! He was a great talent - even when in cheesy shows like Batman or Buck Rogers he could really shine (or, maybe ESPECIALLY in cheesy shows)!
Here's an interesting tid-bit: he was in Warlock (1959) with Henry Fonda, Anthony Quinn, Richard Widmark, and DeForest Kelley. It is a GREAT western, and it's coming out on DVD on Tuesday (5/24). While his role is small I definitely noticed him the first time I saw it.
The thing that really stands out to me is that in the role of the Riddler he could be totally over the top silly and totally menacing at the same time. Jim Carrey didn't have that - he was just silly. The Riddler is supposed to be a killer at heart - a prankster of a gangster, but still a gangster that will kill you if you get in his way or pose any threat to him. Even in a campy show like Batman he brought that across while still being funny as hell. Now THAT's talent!
I loved his impressions, too - absolutely perfect impressions of Kirk Douglas, James Cagney, etc. He was a really funny guy, but like I said, he could also play a ruthless gangster with just as much believability.
R.I.P. Frank - you will be missed!
Here's an interesting tid-bit: he was in Warlock (1959) with Henry Fonda, Anthony Quinn, Richard Widmark, and DeForest Kelley. It is a GREAT western, and it's coming out on DVD on Tuesday (5/24). While his role is small I definitely noticed him the first time I saw it.
The thing that really stands out to me is that in the role of the Riddler he could be totally over the top silly and totally menacing at the same time. Jim Carrey didn't have that - he was just silly. The Riddler is supposed to be a killer at heart - a prankster of a gangster, but still a gangster that will kill you if you get in his way or pose any threat to him. Even in a campy show like Batman he brought that across while still being funny as hell. Now THAT's talent!
I loved his impressions, too - absolutely perfect impressions of Kirk Douglas, James Cagney, etc. He was a really funny guy, but like I said, he could also play a ruthless gangster with just as much believability.
R.I.P. Frank - you will be missed!
05-18-05, 10:07 PM
#22
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On playing the Riddler in "Batman" (1966/II): "When I was first approached to play the Riddler, I thought it was a joke. Then I discovered the show had a good script and agreed to do the role.... Now I am in love with the character. I developed the Riddler's fiendish laugh at Hollywood parties. I listened to myself laugh and discovered that that the funniest jokes brought out the high-pitched giggle I use on the show. With further study I came to realize that it wasn't so much how I laughed as what I laughed at that created the sense of menace."