Stage & Screen Star Frank Gorshin Dead at 72

Frank Gorshin, who had recently been touring in Say Goodnight, Gracie, died on May 17 at the age of 72, according to a representative for the actor. Gorshin had been battling lung cancer.

Gorshin was born on April 5, 1933 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He landed his first professional job at the age of 17, when he won a talent contest--his prize was a one-week engagement at Jackie Heller's Carousel nightclub. After appearances in a series of films, Gorshin's career took off in 1966 when he began appearing as The Riddler in the movie and television series Batman. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his performance in the show and is still best identified with that character. Gorshin made his Broadway debut in the musical Jimmy in 1969 and returned the Great White Way in 1983 in Whodunnit. His other theatrical credits include tours of What Makes Sammy Run, Promises, Promises, Peter Pan, Prisoner of Second Avenue, Deathtrap, Doubles, Ah, Wilderness!, On the 20th Century, Breaking Legs, Guys and Dolls and The Sunshine Boys. In 2002 he earned great acclaim for his performance as George Burns in Rupert Holmes' one-man play Say Goodnight, Gracie. The show closed at the Helen Hayes Theatre on August 24, 2003, and Gorshin quickly hit the road in the play, touring until just last month.

His wife Christina Randazzo, whom he married in 1961, survives him.