Happy 45th Anniversary Of Star Wars -- In Loving Memory

On Wednesday, May 25, 1977 -- 45 years ago today -- the film Star Wars (later renamed Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope) directed by George Lucas premiered initially in less than 40 movie theaters across the country, and later became a global cinematic and popular culture phenomenon that inspired one of the greatest geek culture franchises in modern history.

From those Gen-Xers (late 70s and 80s kids) like myself who grew up knowing this franchise and were heavily inspired by it to those actors who are no longer with us, but continue to inspire many of us to pursue our dreams and stimulate our imaginations -- thank you for 45 years of memories!

Peter Cushing (1913 - 1994)
Alec Guinness (1914 - 2000)
Carrie Fisher (1956 - 2016)
Kenny Baker (1934 - 2016)
Peter Mayhew (1944 -2019)
David Prowse (1935 - 2020)

May The Force Be With You, Always!

RIP Adam West (1928-2017)

RIP William West Anderson (aka Adam West)
September 19, 1928 - June 9, 2017.

American Actor Adam West, best known for his iconic role as Batman, passed away peacefully in his sleep Friday night after a brief fight with leukemia. He was 88 years old.   

Born William West Anderson, the actor began his career as the host of a children’s TV show in Hawaii in the 1950s. He went on to appear as a guest star in several ABC TV shows in the early ’60s, including Westerns like: Sugarfoot, Colt .45, and Lawman, as well as an episode of the ABC Outer Limits series titled "The Invisible Enemy". West also co-starred in films such as the science-fiction cult classic Robinson Crusoe On Mars (1964) and Western comedy film, The Outlaws Is Coming (1965) the last feature film starring The Three Stooges. 

Mr. West is perhaps best known for his iconic leading role as the DC Comics superhero Batman in the 1966 TV Series Batman produced by the legendary William Dozier. West would appear as the Caped Crusader alongside his co-star, actor Burt Ward as Robin the Boy Wonder, as well as a number of guest villains for 120 episodes over a series run of three seasons, as well as a 1966 campy feature film based on the TV series.  

Adam West as Batman.

He would go on to reprise his role as the character in various animated TV shows, including: The New Adventures of Batman, The Batman/Tarzan Adventure Hour, Tarzan and the Super 7, Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show, and The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians. In addition, he would lend his voice in and episode of the popular 90s cartoon series Batman: The Animated Series called "Beware The Gray Ghost" portraying a childhood hero that inspired by the equally iconic fan-favorite Batman in the animated series voiced by Kevin Conroy. West’s signature voice would also appear in two other Batman series, The Batman and Batman: The Brave and the Bold where he would voice Batman's father Thomas Wayne.

Following his first turn as Batman, West would go on to appear in a number of other TV shows, including playing a version of himself as the mayor of the fictional town of Quahog in the animated series Family Guy.

West is survived by his wife, Marcelle Tagand Lear, and his six children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Thank you for all the fond memories, Mr. West.
God Rest Your Soul.

 UPDATE!!! 06-15-2017

On June 15, 2017, Los Angeles projected the Bat-Signal
on City Hall before a large crowd as a tribute to Adam West.