Actor Burt Ward has joined thousands of fans to illuminate the Bat-Signal in Los Angeles in memory of TV’s late Caped Crusader Adam West.
Ward, 71, who played Batman’s sidekick Robin, said the other half of his 1960s dynamic duo spent his life “trying to make this world a better place” as he was joined by West’s family on Thursday.
The public memorial came days after the death of the Batman legend, who died last week at the age of 88.
Fans young and old, some in fancy dress, cheered as LA’s mayor and police chief, who they joked resembled Chief O’Hara from the ABC television series, lit up City Hall with the famous symbol.
Ward said: “He was a great family man, a wonderful husband, a wonderful father to his kids, he loved humanity and he loved his fans.
“I’m here to tell you that my friend Adam would want every single one of you to be incredibly happy and to be joyous.
“Because he spent his entire life as a performer making people happy, making them laugh and trying to make this world a better place.”
Mayor Eric Garcetti, addressing the “citizens of Gotham”, named former Batman actors such as George Clooney, Christian Bale and Ben Affleck.
He said: “They’ve all had their time in the cape and the cowl but did anyone have more fun than Adam West?
“There will never be a Batman like Adam West and there will never be another Adam West.”
Los Angeles police chief Charlie Beck also addressed the audience while standing next to a red phone resembling the one used by Gotham City’s commissioner James Gordon.
He said he was excited to switch on the Bat-Signal, admitting he felt the urge to call on Batman’s support weekly.
West’s wife Marcelle was joined by their daughters, as well as actress Lee Meriwether, 82, who played Catwoman.
West’s family previously said he died after a battle with leukaemia.
