1946
Graduated from Lakeside High School in Seattle, Washington, in 1946.
1946
At Lakeside High School, he excelled in sports and served as school president of his graduating class, which he graduated from in 1946.
1959
Began his career as a contract player for Warner Bros. in 1959.
1965
Was a spokesperson of Nestle's Quik in 1965.
1966
After playing the role of a resourceful secret agent in a Nestle's Quik commercial in the early '60s, he caught the eye of ABC executives. They figured that he might be right for an upcoming TV show that was about to be produced, "Batman" (1966). The rest is history.
1966
Was the third actor to play Batman (though some may credit him as the first, as the old serials are much more obscure than West's "Batman" (1966) TV series).
1966
Remained good friends with Burt Ward, during and after the original "Batman" (1966).
1966
Best known by the public for his starring role as the title character in "Batman" (1966).
1966
His former "Batman" (1966) co-star, Burt Ward, made a cameo appearance, voicing on an episode of "The Simpsons" (1989), with him, in 2002. Eight years later, Ward would also make another cameo appearance with him, voicing on an episode of "SpongeBob SquarePants" (1999), in 2010.
1966
Was one of the 3 actors to appear in every episode of the original "Batman" (1966) series.
1966
His show "Batman" (1966) was canceled after 2 1/2 seasons, not only because of low ratings, but because of the rising costs of the special effects and lighting. When ABC canceled the series, NBC was asked to run the show, however the set had already been dismantled.
1966
Beat out 2 other actors, Lyle Waggoner and Ty Hardin, for the lead role in "Batman" (1966).
1966
Starred in a pilot for NBC in 1991 that did not sell, which was also produced by "Batman" (1966) fan, Conan O'Brien.
1969
His mother, Audrey Speer, of the Christian musical group, the Speers, died in 1969.
1970
Overcame alcoholism in the 1970s. His mother was also an alcoholic.
1971
Discussed the lead role in Diamonds Are Forever (1971) with Albert R. Broccoli. At the time there were plans to reboot the franchise with an American Bond. West felt the role should be played by a British actor and ruled himself out of contention.
1984
His father, Otto West Anderson, died in 1984.
1989
Moved to Ketchum, Idaho, in 1989.
1989
Future comedians Conan O'Brien, Drew Carey, Bill Maher, Ross Shafer, radio disc jockey Howard Stern, "The Simpsons" (1989) Matt Groening and weatherman/game show announcer Rich Fields, all said West was their childhood television hero.
1992
West once appeared on the "Batman" (1992) animated series playing - of all things - an out-of-work actor who was unable to escape his identification with the role of a superhero he had played decades earlier, the Gray Ghost. Prior to this, West had supplied the voice of Batman on the "SuperFriends: The Legendary Super Powers Show" (1984) animated series.
2002
His daughter Nina West is the host of the TV Land Real Estate (2002) (TV). She is also a model and has twice appeared with her father on Howard Stern's radio show.
6764
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6764 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California, in front of the Guinness Museum.
