Frank Gorshin

Frank Gorshin may have built his stage reputation on his impeccable celebrity impersonations, but as an actor, it was his manic portrayal of the quizzical super villain The Riddler on TV's "Batman" (ABC, 1966-68) that would endear him to generations of fans. After discovering his facility with mimicry at an early age, and honing his craft on the stages of the USO while in the Army, Gorshin embarked on an early career in film with small parts in such B-pictures as "Hot Rod Girl" (1956). Supporting roles in studio efforts like "Bells Are Ringing" (1960) and return visits to "The Ed Sullivan Show" (CBS, 1948-1971) throughout the 1960s increased his visibility. As the featured guest-villain on the pilot episode of "Batman" in 1966, however, Gorshin inextricably linked himself to a larger-than-life character he had no choice but to embrace in the years that followed. And there was no reason not to, as The Riddler was pure Gorshin - maniacal, mercurial, menacing and most definitely funny. A gifted actor beyond the camp of "Batman," he also impressed with a riveting performance in an episode of "Star Trek" (NBC, 1966-69), and later, in stage productions of "Jimmy" and "On the Twentieth Century." The culmination of the gifted actor-impressionist's career came with his acclaimed portrayal of comedian George Burns in 2002. A bravura one-man stage show, "Say Goodnight, Gracie," provided the perfect vehicle for Gorshin, who continued to fine-tune the role right up until his passing in 2005.