Lewis Wilson
Wilson in 1943
Born
Lewis Gilbert Wilson

(1920-01-28)January 28, 1920
Framingham, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedAugust 9, 2000(2000-08-09) (aged 80)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Alma materWorcester Academy
OccupationActor
Years active1943–1973
SpouseDana Natol (divorced)
ChildrenMichael G. Wilson
RelativesDavid G. Wilson (grandson)

Lewis Gilbert Wilson (January 28, 1920 – August 9, 2000)[1] was an American actor, who 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, Middlesex, Massachusetts, the son of Lucile (née Gregg) and John Henry Wilson.[2][3] He grew up in Littleton, Massachusetts, where his father was minister of the First Unitarian Church from 1927-1945.[4] Wilson graduated from Worcester Academy in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1939. His family had long roots with the school and his father and grandfather were graduates.

Following the entry of the United States into World War II, in 1943 Columbia Pictures created the first Batman live action series, 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.[5] It was Wilson's screen debut at the age of 23.[6] 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.[7] His final film was Naked Alibi in 1954. He then left show business and worked for General Foods for many years.

Wilson married novelist and actress Dana Natol, and they had a son, Michael G. Wilson.[7] They met while attending the Academy of Dramatic Arts at Carnegie Hall in New York, but separated and divorced after moving to California.[7][8]

After retiring from acting, he lived in North Hollywood, California.

Death

He died on August 9, 2000, in San Francisco, California at age 80.[9]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1943Redhead from ManhattanPaul
1943Good Luck, Mr. YatesParkhurstUncredited
1943BatmanBruce Wayne / BatmanSerial
1943First Comes CourageDr. KleinichUncredited
1943My Kingdom for a CookReporterUncredited
1943There's Something About a SoldierThomas Bolivar Jefferson
1943Klondike KateGeorge GrahamUncredited
1944The Racket ManCapt. AndersonUncredited
1944Beautiful But BrokePilotUncredited
1944Sailor's HolidayJerome 'Iron Man' Collins
1944Once Upon a TimeManUncredited
1951Wild WomenTrent
1954Naked AlibiBorder Patrol OfficerUncredited

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1952Craig Kennedy, CriminologistWalt Jameson26 episodes
1973Orson Welles' Great MysteriesPolice SergeantEpisode: "Unseen Alibi"

References

  1. ↑ "Michael Wilson Biography (1942-)". www.filmreference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  2. ↑ "FamilySearch.org". Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Births". The Christian Register. February 5, 1920. p. 149. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  4. ↑ MA, First Church Unitarian, Littleton. "About - History - Complete History". www.fculittle.org. Archived from the original on July 27, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ Kukuruzovic, Simon (June 17, 2005). "Bale Piles of Weight for Batman Capers". Coventry Evening Telegraph. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Oscar Batman". The Malay Mail. June 16, 2005. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 "Dana Broccoli (Obituaries)". Daily Variety. March 8, 2004. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Obituaries: Dana Broccoli". The Daily Telegraph. March 3, 2004. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  9. ↑ Lentz, Harris M. (2000). Obituaries in the Performing Arts - Harris M. Lentz - Google Books. ISBN 9780786410248. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
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