Burt Ward

Burt Ward, born Bert John Gervis Jr. on July 6, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, demonstrated a multifaceted aptitude from an early age. His father, Bert Gervis Sr., was the proprietor of a traveling ice show, ‘Rhapsody On Ice,’ and by the age of two, Ward was already recognized as a professional ice skater. His youth was marked by athletic prowess, including martial arts, wrestling, track, tennis, and golf. Academically, he excelled, achieving a high ranking in math and science tests at UCLA and being recognized as one of the world’s fastest readers, clocked at 30,000 words per minute with 90% comprehension by the American Medical Society. With his father’s guidance, he also became one of California’s youngest real estate agents, a role that led to his pivotal entry into Hollywood when he met producer Saul David.

In October 1965, Ward auditioned for the role of Robin in the new “Batman” TV series for ABC-TV. His background in martial arts and athletic abilities were key factors in securing the part, beating out other contenders. To enhance his screen persona, he adopted his mother’s maiden name, Ward, and altered the spelling of ‘Bert’ to ‘Burt.’ The series, which premiered in 1966, quickly became a cultural phenomenon, launching Ward and co-star Adam West to global recognition. Ward performed many of his own stunts, a cost-saving measure for the production, and he recalls frequent visits to the emergency room during the show’s run. While the series ran for three seasons, comprising 120 episodes, Ward also reprised his role in “Batman: The Movie” (1966) and recorded music, including “Boy Wonder, I Love You” (1966).

Following “Batman’s” cancellation in 1968, Ward continued his acting career, appearing in over 40 made-for-television films and various animated series, including “The New Adventures of Batman” (1977) and “Legends of the Superheroes” (1979). He maintained a close friendship with Adam West, and they reunited for specials like “Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt” (2003) and animated movies such as “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” (2016) and “Batman vs. Two-Face” (2017). Beyond entertainment, Ward and his wife, Tracy Posner Ward, established Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions, Inc., in 1994, a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehoming large dog breeds. Their commitment to animal welfare led to the development of Gentle Giants dog food, sold nationally and credited with significantly extending the lifespan of their rescued dogs. In recognition of his contributions to entertainment, Burt Ward received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 9, 2020.