She began her career as the youngest member of The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, touring with them for three years before landing a lead part in the Movie The Young Land.
This was followed by many years of film and television, including two movies with Elvis Presley.
In the feature length The Man from UNCLE two-parter film version, One Spy Too Many, Yvonne is added in a sub-plot flirting with agent Napoleon Solo, although she doesn't actually appear in the television episode.
In The Wild, Wild West, her previous dancing experience came in handy as she played an exotic dancer who doubles as an assassin.
She is also remembered as 'Marta' in the third season Star Trek episode, 'Whom Gods Destroy, playing an insane green Orion Slave Girl.
It is as Batgirl that most fans will remember Yvonne Craig. She joined the cast at the beginning of season 3, after the future of the show seemed uncertain. Executive Producer and series narrator William Dozier chose to introduce a female character, Batgirl.
Dozier went on to ask the editor of DC's Batman comics to further develop the character.
A promotional short was produced to convince the TV executives, featuring Yvonne as Batgirl, and Tim Herbert as Killer Moth, with guest appearances by Batman and Robin.
Yvonne joined the cast in 1967, for the third and final season of Batman. She got her name in the credits and an introduction episode - there was even a Batgirl song played during a couple of episodes, specially written by composer and trumpeter, Billy May.
Following Batman, Yvonne, made occasional appearances in various television series including Kojak and The Six Million Dollar Man. Eventually she moved into private business.
Now it's time to hang up the cape & cowell.
Yvonne Craig 1937 -2015
Our sincere condolences to her family.
Nice tribute. Yes, it's a shame she's finally hung up the cape and cowl, and I fear to think who might be next. Getting older is no fun when all your childhood heroes and heroines start dying. I'm glad that she got to see the series released on DVD & Blu-ray.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Kid. I'm not even going to tempt fate by mentioning anyone.
DeleteI'm impressed by the amount of coverage on social media Yvonne's passing has generated, even the BBC and Sky have mentioned it.
Yes, well put Mike. Batgirl was an icon of TV and I remember watching her on the telly. Yvonne did a great job in one the most famous TV series of them all. RIP.
ReplyDeleteGreat tribute Scoop. We've reached the age where life starts taking away from us and another part of our childhood soul has been ripped out.
ReplyDeleteThanks folks. Yes it's certainly one of the many downsides of growing older that it comes as a grim realisation that our TV heroes and heroines are mere mortals like ourselves. The upside is we keep them alive in our love for the characters they create.
ReplyDeleteShe also had a small part in "In Like Flint" as a Russian ballet dancer.
ReplyDeleteHer training and experience in dancing were evident in her graceful moves in the "Batman" fight scenes.
Lovely tribute to a lovely girl.
ReplyDeleteThanks John. It certainly was sad news.
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