Anecdotes

His manic portrayal of the Riddler on the television series Batman (1966) was directly responsible for turning the character in the comics from a minor villain into one of Batman's major recurring enemies.

His signature challenge line on the television series Batman (1966), "Riddle me this, Batman!" became a catch-phrase at that time.

Was the only cast member of the television series Batman (1966) to have received an Emmy Award nomination for the show.

Considered one of the top impressionists in Hollywood.

His last job before his death was a guest appearance on Grave Danger (1) (2005), the first half of the series' fifth season finale, directed by Quentin Tarantino. He died two days before the episode actually aired. In an ironic note, the famous impressionist's final role was to portray himself.

Two days before 17 year old Frank Gorshin's first stage appearance, his 15 year old brother was killed in a car accident.

Was one of Ed Sullivan's guests on the famous February 9, 1964 show featuring the American debut of The Beatles.

Served for two years, 1953-1955, as an entertainer with Special Services in the United States Army.

Was replaced for one two-part episode of Batman (1966) as the Riddler by John Astin.

Was good friends with Adam West and Julie Newmar.

Gorshin's final live appearance was a Memphis performance of Say Goodnight, Gracie, in which he portrayed George Burns. He finished the performance and boarded a plane for Los Angeles on April 25, 2005. After he experienced severe breathing difficulty during the flight, the crew administered emergency oxygen. An ambulance met the plane upon landing and transported him to a Burbank hospital, where he died on May 17, 2005, at the age of 72, from lung cancer, complicated by emphysema and pneumonia.

Frank Gorshin was a frequent contributor on Dean Martin's roasts, in which he always did impressions of Burt Lancaster and Richard Burton.

Attended the Carnegie-Mellon Tech School of Drama (now Carnegie-Mellon University).

Following his death, he was interred at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Pittsburgh, PA.

He was a heavy smoker up until his death.

Did an impression of Jack Nicholson on Charlie's Angels: Angels At Sea. Gorshin and Nicholson famously portrayed Batman villains: Riddler and Joker.

When he did nightclub performances or live shows, audiences were warned not to attend if they disliked smoking, as he often smoked onstage.

His father was a railroad worker and his mother was a seamstress.

His Batman co-star Adam West once claimed that "Frank could reduce a cigarette to ash with one draw.".

Attended and graduated from Peabody High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Gorshin's last television appearance was in "Grave Danger", an episode of the CBS series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation which aired two days after his death; the episode, which was directed by Quentin Tarantino, was dedicated to his memory.

For decades, Gorshin called the celebrity-studded town of Westport, CT, home.

Gorshin also had a memorable role in the 1969 Star Trek episode "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" as the bigoted half-whiteface, half-blackface alien Bele from the planet Cheron. Contrary to popular rumor and several news articles, Gorshin did not receive an Emmy nomination for this role.

He died just four days before the first appearance of the Riddler (voiced by Robert Englund) on the animated series Batman (2004).

Auditioned for the role of Cookie in the musical comedy Café Europa en uniforme (1960), which went to Robert Ivers.

Best known by the public for his role as the Riddler on the television series Batman (1966).

Father of Mitchell Gorshin and grandfather of Brandon Gorshin.

Is the oldest of three children of Frank John Sr. and Frances Gorshin.

Gorshin had been a heavy smoker for most of his adult life, consuming up to five packs of cigarettes a day.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 189. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387