Net Worth Ranker
What Was Adam West’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on June 9, 2017, Adam West, the iconic American actor, possessed a net worth of $8 million. This financial standing reflected his extensive career, primarily highlighted by his memorable portrayal of Batman in the 1960s television series and subsequent related projects.
Adam West’s Early Life and Career Foundations
Born William West Anderson on September 19, 1928, in Walla Walla, Washington, Adam West’s early life provided a foundation for his future career. His mother, Audrey, was an opera singer and concert pianist, likely influencing his artistic inclinations. His father, Otto, a farmer of Swedish descent, provided a different, perhaps more grounded, influence. Following his parents’ divorce, West relocated to Seattle with his mother at the age of 15, attending Lakeside School for his high school education. He later returned to Walla Walla to attend Whitman College, earning a BA in literature, which honed his communication and storytelling skills.
West’s path to acting wasn’t linear. Drafted into the US Army, he utilized his voice as an announcer on American Forces Network television. After his service, he briefly worked as a milkman before venturing into television in Hawaii in the 1950s. His initial role as a sidekick on “The Kini Popo Show,” a local program, eventually led to him hosting the show, marking his first significant step in the entertainment industry. By the end of the decade, West moved to Hollywood with his family, signaling his commitment to a serious acting career.
Adam West’s Film and Television Career
Adam West’s early film career involved roles in notable films like “The Young Philadelphians” (1959) starring Paul Newman. He also appeared in “Geronimo” (1962), a Chuck Connors Western, and “Robinson Crusoe on Mars” (1964), showcasing his versatility across genres. Other early credits included “Tammy and the Doctor” (1963), “Soldier in the Rain” (1963), and “Mara of the Wilderness” (1965.”
On television, prior to his Batman fame, West made numerous guest appearances on Western series such as “Sugarfoot,” “Colt .45,” and “Lawman” on ABC, where he often played Doc Holliday. He also appeared in single episodes of “Maverick,” “Laramie,” “The Rifleman,” and “Perry Mason,” further demonstrating his range and establishing his presence in the television landscape. He even had a starring role in the third season of the crime drama “The Detectives”.
Adam West as Batman: The Role That Defined a Career
In 1966, Adam West secured the role that would define his career: Bruce Wayne/Batman in the ABC television series “Batman.” The show’s campy, comedic style became a cultural phenomenon, catapulting West to stardom. He not only starred in the series until 1968 but also played the Caped Crusader in the 1966 feature film adaptation, solidifying his association with the character.
Throughout his career, West frequently reprised his role as Batman. He voiced the character in the animated series “The New Adventures of Batman” and in other animated shows like “Tarzan and the Super 7” and “The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians.” He even appeared in the live-action special “Legends of the Superheroes.” West continued to lend his voice to Batman-related animated projects, including “The Batman” and “Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” ensuring the character remained a consistent part of his professional life. It’s impossible to put an exact figure on the earnings from these various Batman roles, but they undoubtedly contributed significantly to his $8 million net worth.
Adam West’s Post-Batman Film Career
Following his success as Batman, Adam West continued to work in film, appearing in movies such as “The Girl Who Knew Too Much” (1969), “The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker” (1971), and “The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood” (1980). While these roles didn’t achieve the same level of fame as Batman, they demonstrate his commitment to acting. In the 1980s and 1990s, West appeared in “Zombie Nightmare” (1987), “Doin’ Time on Planet Earth” (1988), “Omega Cop” (1990), “The New Age” (1994), “Joyride” (1996), and “American Vampire” (1997).
During the 2000s, Adam West had a role in “Baadasssss!” (2003) and contributed voiceover work to animated films such as “Chicken Little” (2005) and “Meet the Robinsons” (2007). These later roles showcased his adaptability and willingness to embrace different types of characters and projects. While specific salary figures for these post-Batman film roles are not publicly available, they collectively added to his overall income.
Adam West’s Later Television Career and Pop Culture Icon Status
Adam West’s television career extended far beyond his role as Batman. He made guest appearances on a wide variety of shows, including “The Big Valley,” “Primus,” “Mannix,” “Alice,” “Fantasy Island,” “Laverne & Shirley,” and “Hart to Hart”. He also appeared in television films such as “Poor Devil,” “Nevada Smith,” and “Warp Speed.” In later years, he appeared on shows such as “Burke’s Law,” and “30 Rock.”
In the 1990s and 2000s, Adam West embraced his status as a pop culture icon, making appearances as himself on shows such as “NewsRadio,” “Murphy Brown,” “The Drew Carey Show,” and “The Big Bang Theory.” These appearances not only kept him in the public eye but also demonstrated his sense of humor and willingness to poke fun at his own image. He made 12 appearances on “The Big Bang Theory” from 2016-2018 and was paid per episode, but the exact amount is unknown.
One of West’s most significant later roles was as Mayor Adam West on the animated series “Family Guy,” which he voiced for 118 episodes. This role showcased his comedic talent and introduced him to a new generation of fans. His distinctive voice also led to voice acting roles on other animated shows such as “The Simpsons,” “Futurama,” “Rugrats,” “Kim Possible,” “The Fairly OddParents,” “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” “Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero,” and “Moonbeam City.” The financial details of these voice acting roles remain private, but they undoubtedly contributed to his income and overall financial stability in his later years. His annual salary for Family Guy is estimated to be around $50,000 per episode.
Adam West’s Video Game Voice Acting
Adam West also lent his voice to video games, starting with “Golden Nugget” and “Goosebumps: Attack of the Mutant.” In 2003, he voiced General Carrington in “XIII.” He also worked on kids’ games like “Scooby-Doo! Unmasked,” “Disney’s Chicken Little: Ace in Action,” and “Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham.” Additionally, he reprised his “Family Guy” role in three related games. Specific earnings for these projects are not known.
Adam West’s Personal Life
Adam West was married three times. His first marriage was to Billie Lou Yeager in 1950, which ended in divorce six years later. He then married Ngatokorua Frisbie Dawson, with whom he had two children before their divorce in 1962. In 1970, he married Marcelle Tagand Lear, and they remained together until his death in 2017. They had two children. The details of any property owned during his lifetime are unknown.
Tributes to Adam West
Following Adam West’s death from leukemia in 2017, tributes poured in from around the world. The City of Los Angeles projected the Bat-Signal onto City Hall, and his hometown of Walla Walla shone the signal upon Whitman Tower, honoring his legacy as Batman.
