Lewis Gilbert Wilson (January 28, 1920 – August 9, 2000) was an American actor. He was most famous for being the first actor to play DC Comics character Batman on screen in the 1943 film serial Batman.
Life and career Wilson was born January 28, 1920, in Framingham, Massachusetts, the son of Lucile (née Gregg) and John Henry Wilson. He grew up in Littleton, Massachusetts, where his father was minister of the First Unitarian Church from 1927 to 1945. Wilson graduated from Worcester Academy in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1939.
Following the entry of the United States into World War II, Columbia Pictures created the first Batman live action series in 1943, simply called Batman. Wilson was cast as the title character in the 15-episode serial against J. Carrol Naish who portrayed a Japanese spy named Dr. Daka. It was Wilson's screen debut at the age of 23. A sequel to the serial was made in 1949, but Robert Lowery replaced Wilson as Batman.
After the war concluded, Wilson and his family moved to California, and he and his wife joined the Pasadena Playhouse. His final film was Naked Alibi in 1954. He then left show business and worked for General Foods.
Wilson married novelist and actress Dana Natol, and they had a son, Michael G. Wilson. They met while attending the Academy of Dramatic Arts at Carnegie Hall in New York, but separated and divorced after moving to California.
After retiring from acting, Wilson lived in North Hollywood, California.
Death Wilson died on August 9, 2000, in San Francisco, California, at age 80. His death was not widely reported. Wilson is survived by his wife Jane and their two sons, both of whom work at Eon Productions.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1943 Redhead from Manhattan Paul 1943 Good Luck, Mr. Yates Parkhurst Uncredited1943 Batman Bruce Wayne / Batman Serial1943 First Comes Courage Dr. Kleinich Uncredited1943 My Kingdom for a Cook Reporter Uncredited1943 There's Something About a Soldier Thomas Bolivar Jefferson 1943 Klondike Kate George Graham Uncredited1944 The Racket Man Captain Anderson Uncredited1944 Beautiful But Broke Pilot Uncredited1944 Sailor's Holiday Jerome 'Iron Man' Collins 1944 Once Upon a Time Man Uncredited1951Wild Women Trent 1954 Naked Alibi Border Patrol Officer Uncredited
Television Year Title Role Notes1952 Craig Kennedy, Criminologist Walt Jameson 26 episodes1973 Orson Welles' Great Mysteries Police Sergeant Episode: "Unseen Alibi"
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