Less than a year before her passing in 2015, actress Yvonne Craig spoke with Closer about the lasting appeal of the classic 1960s Batman series, featuring Adam West as Batman, Burt Ward as Robin, and Yvonne herself as both librarian Barbara Gordon and the first superheroine on TV, Batgirl. At the time, the complete series from 1966 to 1968 had just been released on Blu-ray, sparking renewed excitement for the show and raising questions about its enduring popularity decades after its debut.
“Part of it,” Yvonne reflected, “is that it was a sign of our times. Everyone would like to return to the era of ‘Flower Power.’ Instead of focusing on the chaos in the world today, people seek an escape. This show not only offers that escape, but it’s also silly, fun, and filled with vibrant colors. That certainly appealed to kids, who loved the bright visuals, but there was something for their parents, too. Adults weren’t just sitting there thinking, ‘Oh my God, another kid’s show!’”
Yvonne Craig was born on May 16, 1937, in Taylorsville, Illinois, but grew up in Columbus, Ohio, before moving to Dallas, Texas, in 1951. Her early life revolved around dance, aspiring to be a ballerina. She was discovered by ballerina and instructor Alexandra Danilova, becoming the youngest member of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, an experience she credited for helping her land the role of Batgirl.
In 1957, Yvonne moved to Los Angeles to pursue professional dancing but soon turned her focus to acting. Pop culture historian Geoffrey Mark notes that she successfully played various ingénue roles in the late 1950s and early 1960s, often appearing in dramas like Perry Mason.
She portrayed characters such as wealthy heiresses and seductive young women, earning a steady income that would equate to a couple of hundred thousand dollars a year today. Yvonne also made two films with Elvis Presley and frequently appeared on television, including multiple roles on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.
#1. Prolific Actress
Yvonne Craig was a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, co-starring with Elvis Presley in films like It Happened at the World’s Fair and Kissin’ Cousins, as well as appearing in James Coburn’s In Like Flint and the cult sci-fi film Mars Needs Women.
She also made numerous guest appearances on popular TV shows, including The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Laramie, The Big Valley, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., and McHale’s Navy.
Herbie J. Pilato, author of Glamour, Gidgets and the Girl Next Door: Television’s Iconic Women from the 50s, 60s and 70s and host of the streaming talk show Then Again with Herbie J Pilato, notes that during this era, television operated like the movie studio system.
Actors were often contracted to studios, which would assign them to various films and shows. This system explains why many actors appeared on multiple series from the same studio, such as Hazel and I Dream of Jeannie.
#2. Looking for a Change
By 1967, Yvonne Craig was eager for a regular role and found it in Batman. She explained, “I had been doing a lot of guest appearances, but people don’t remember guest stars’ names. I told my agent we needed to find a series where viewers would see the same person each week and connect with them.”
After auditioning for several pilots that didn’t get picked up, she received a call about adding a female character to Batman. Although she hadn’t watched the show, she promised producer William Dozier that if she got the role, she would binge-watch the reruns over the summer to learn how to fit into the series.
#3. The Road to Batgirl
Dozier must have been impressed, as Yvonne Craig was offered the role but first had to film a presentation for ABC network executives. She humorously noted, “They wanted someone who would appeal to over-40 males and prepubescent females—hence the spray-on costume.
Back then, they didn’t do detailed demographic studies; they just knew they were missing part of the audience.”
The seven-minute presentation featured Barbara Gordon, a librarian who witnesses a disturbance in the library, quickly transforms her skirt into a cape, and her hat into a cowl. After this quick showcase, they awaited feedback on whether the series would move forward.
#4. ‘That’ Girl, Not ‘Bat’ Girl
Her agent eventually called with news that she needed to fly to Chicago for the NAPTE convention, where independent television stations would decide whether to pick up the show with her included.
Although she was hesitant to go without a firm commitment, she agreed. On her way to the venue, she received confirmation that she got the job.
However, during the introductions of stars for upcoming TV shows, a near mix-up occurred. “I almost embarrassed myself,” she recalled with a smile. “I was told to wait for my cue to walk out on stage.
When they said That Girl, I thought they had said Batgirl, and someone grabbed me just before I stepped out, while Marlo Thomas was walking out for her show. It would have been awful… although she’s a nice lady, so it probably wouldn’t have been that bad.”
#5. They Find Their Batgirl
Yvonne was cast as Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Commissioner Gordon, and as Batgirl, who makes a dramatic entrance on her iconic Batcycle to fight alongside Batman and Robin. The series aired from 1966 to 1968, and she joined the cast for its final year.
“To fit into that show,” Geoffrey Mark explains, “she had to perform like Adam West, balancing two levels: portraying the role with serious gravitas as if it were Shakespeare while also delivering comedic moments to engage both children and adults.”
#6. She Had a Great Time
Yvonne expressed her excitement, saying, “It was a wonderful job that gave me a place to go, and it paid me well. It achieved what I hoped for, especially when a little girl in the supermarket approached me and said, ‘I know who you really are. You’re Barbara Gordon!’
It was incredible! I couldn’t believe that I got to work with such amazing people every day. Even though I don’t do musicals, Ethel Merman appeared on our show. And while Milton Berle claimed he wasn’t retired, he didn’t have a show at the time and was a lot of fun. He loved to share show business gossip—nothing bad, just the inside scoop!”
#7. Bam! Zap! Pow!
Yvonne loved the show’s elaborate fight scenes, which were a highlight of each episode, featuring dramatic kicks and punches paired with bold captions like “Bam!” and “Zap!” Since she was a motorcycle rider, she had no trouble riding Batgirl’s bike without needing a stunt double. However, the producers were initially hesitant to let her fully participate in the fight scenes.
#8. Stunt Queen
Yvonne explained, “I told them, ‘Think logically. It’s all choreography done on a count. If anyone is off, you just say stop. I won’t get hit because they aren’t trying to punch girls in the face. I’m doing all the work and spinning away from them so they can’t catch me.’ I understood their concerns about Adam or Burt getting hurt, but it was easy for me.
At first, they assigned a stunt double who remarked, ‘You walk differently than anyone I’ve ever seen,’ which I attributed to my dance background. Eventually, after she left to double for Julie Andrews in a movie, they became comfortable with me doing my own stunts.”
#9. That Costume
Yvonne described the costume as “sprayed on” but noted that it was more comfortable than it appeared. “As a ballet dancer, I was used to wearing leotards, so it felt like just another well-made costume. Pat Barto designed it, but she initially cut the top wrong, and since I’m bosomy, someone pointed out that I was getting ‘smushed’ in the costume.
Pat then adjusted it, cutting it on the bias, which made it much more comfortable. The fabric was stretchy, but as the series progressed, I learned not to sit down in it for too long, as superheroines shouldn’t have baggy knees. There was a zipper all the way up the back, making it easy to get in and out of, so overall, I wasn’t uncomfortable at all.”
#10. Reality Check
Geoffrey suggests that introducing Batgirl two seasons in was a response to the show losing momentum. “There are only so many campy plots you can use, and the comic books were evolving in a different direction.
They were maturing, but the TV series couldn’t keep up. Yvonne was brought in to provide something fresh. Additionally, in the final season, Batman aired only once a week instead of twice, making viewers less likely to wait for the second part. So, the show’s cancellation wasn’t Yvonne’s fault.”
#11. The ‘Three Bs’ of the 1960s
From the perspective of 2018, it’s hard to grasp just how significant the Batman series was during its peak. In the 1960s, pop culture was dominated by the “Three Bs”: the Beatles, Bond, and Batman.
Adam West and Burt Ward were involved with the show before, during, and after its rise, while Yvonne Craig joined after its initial success, so the show’s end wasn’t a shock for her. “It was very matter-of-fact,” she noted.
“I had only been on it for one season, and while it was a terrific experience, we didn’t realize that 45 or 50 years later, people would still be talking about it. It was a great job, but no one predicted its iconic status. I think the ending was more challenging for Burt, who had no prior acting experience. Suddenly, he was part of a hit show, and when it ended, he had to figure out his next steps.
Adam also faced difficulties because of his unique speech cadence, which made casting directors associate him too closely with Batman when he auditioned for other roles. Eventually, they recognized that his distinctive voice was an asset. For me, I loved every moment of it, and when it ended, I thought it was truly over.”
#12. Onward to the Final Frontier
After Batman ended, Yvonne returned to guest-starring roles on various TV shows and occasionally appeared in films.
One notable appearance was in the original Star Trek, where she played Marta, a green-skinned Orion slave girl, in the third season episode titled “Whom Gods Destroy.” While she loved the character, she didn’t have the best experience working with series star William Shatner.
#13. Shat Attack
Yvonne described her experience working with William Shatner as quite strange. “He was nice at first,” she recalled.
“He invited me to his dressing room for lunch on my first day, and I thought it would be a chance to go over lines. But it turned out to be the oddest lunch ever—we barely talked! He mentioned raising Doberman Pinschers and had a red one, which was an unusual topic.
When we started filming, he kept reminding me about my character’s background and directed me on where to stand to show off his best side.
It was awful, and nobody liked him. He lacked social skills and, while I was painted green for my character, he would try to grab me behind the sets, which made the experience even worse.”
#14. Captain James T. Ego
Yvonne felt that Shatner’s behavior stemmed from both his ego and a desire for a romantic connection. “But it’s all about him,” she sighed.
“In one scene, I was supposed to stab him with a rubber knife, but he insisted on using a wooden one because he thought it looked better. We had to use the rubber knife for some shots and not others. Considering we were only looking at a 12-inch screen, who could tell if it was wooden or rubber? Plus, rubber is safer!
Sure enough, he cut his hand on the wooden knife and went into a panic. Suddenly, everyone rushed to him, yelling to ‘Get him a brandy’ or something. I couldn’t help but say, ‘I hope you’re going to pour it on the wound that’s bleeding; otherwise, forget it!’ Honestly, what a candy ass!”
#15. The Logical Alternative
Yvonne found her interactions with Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock) much more enjoyable, especially because of his “droll” sense of humor. “The first time I went into makeup, it was 5:30 in the morning, and I was still half-asleep,” she recalled.
“I had my eyes closed while they applied my makeup. When I got home, I realized, ‘Oh my God, they shaved my eyebrows!’ They just left little tufts, making it look like something had landed on my face.
The next day, I stormed in and said, ‘They shaved my eyebrows! They could have just as easily covered them with mortician’s wax!’ I was furious, insisting, ‘If my eyebrows don’t grow back, I swear to God I will sue them!’
Leonard overheard me and chimed in, ‘Yvonne, I just wanted to say that when I started the show, I went to a dermatologist who assured me that anyone who can grow a beard can grow their eyebrows back.’ Then he turned and left, leaving me standing there thinking, ‘Grow a beard?’ He was so funny—just had a great sense of humor!”
#16. Reunion
Yvonne also enjoyed a humorous experience at a party for Star Trek’s 25th anniversary. She spotted someone on the dance floor who looked exactly like her character, Marta, from the episode “Whom Gods Destroy.”
“I told them I really wanted to go down and meet her, but they warned me I’d get mobbed,” she said. “I went anyway and discovered that ‘she’ was actually a he! He was a hairdresser who had done a beautiful job; the wig was just right, and he had made the costume himself. He was simply gorgeous and graceful!”
#17. Life After Batman
After Batman, Yvonne’s career shifted back to what it had been before. Geoffrey notes, “After all the excitement of Batman, she returned to being a reliable actress known for solid performances in dramas and sitcoms.
However, work began to dry up for her as she moved into her 30s. Despite her talent, she found herself overshadowed by younger actresses like Karen Valentine. By the mid-70s, her career was nearly over, leading her to feel depressed and resentful towards Batman, similar to how some Star Trek actors felt until the franchise revived with the movies.”
#18. Things Were Changing
Ed Robertson, host of the Classic TV radio show TV Confidential, observes, “I’m not sure if Yvonne was typecast like Adam West and Burt Ward. However, within five years of Batman ending, her roles shifted significantly.
She went from high-profile guest appearances on shows like It Takes a Thief—a Top 10 show on ABC with a prominent leading lady role—to supporting parts on The Magician, where she had no dialogue and was simply kidnapped and gagged.
It was a thankless role for someone who had been well-known in movies and on television before Batman. Over her 20-year career from the mid-50s to mid-70s, she reached a point where she had to consider whether she wanted to continue taking roles that left her gagged or if she should pursue other opportunities. Clearly, she chose the latter.”
#19. Facing Batlash
Herbie reflects, “Being Batgirl was significant because she was the first female superhero of the TV generation, predating Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman. However, like Adam West, Yvonne struggled to regain momentum after Batman.
While Elizabeth Montgomery from Bewitched and Barbara Eden from I Dream of Jeannie eventually broke free from typecasting, Yvonne’s association with the Batgirl mask may have made it more challenging.
You can draw a parallel to Clayton Moore, who played the Lone Ranger and faced similar issues; he never worked much after the show because he always wore the mask. The difference seems to be that Yvonne was caught in a superhero stereotype rather than a specific character stereotype.”
#20. Embracing the Convention Circuit
Eventually, Yvonne decided to leave acting behind and transitioned into a successful career in real estate. She lent her voice to the character “Grandma” in the animated series Olivia and authored a personal memoir titled From Ballet to the Batcave and Beyond. This book led her to participate in autograph shows and conventions, providing her the chance to connect with fans.
Geoffrey notes, “Yvonne’s career didn’t have the longevity some hoped for; many only remembered her as Batgirl, which troubled her. I would sit with her at conventions, and what upset her the most were the inappropriate comments from fans. She once said to me, ‘If I have one more middle-aged man intimate that he pleasured himself over me as Batgirl, I’m going to scream.’
They meant well, trying to express how attractive they found her and how much the character meant to them, but their comments often included crude references. After a while, she became snippy with these men because they inadvertently hurt her feelings.”
#21. Yvonne’s Point of View
Ultimately, despite the challenges of her “sprayed-on” costume and encounters with a certain grabby starship captain, Yvonne took pride in her contributions to the legacies of Batman and Star Trek, viewing her experiences with a practical lens. She recalled an encounter at a convention:
“I remember being ushered down to sign autographs, and there was a girl who seemed a bit squirrelly. I remarked, ‘There are so many strange people here,’ and she replied, ‘We’re all strange because we’re all misfits.
The only time we feel really connected is when we’re at these conventions, surrounded by fellow misfits.’ I thought that was very insightful, and there is truth in it—some of these folks are absolutely off-the-wall and brilliant, like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory.”
