Lewis Gilbert Wilson: The First Live-Action Batman
Lewis Gilbert Wilson was born on January 28, 1920, in Framingham, Massachusetts. He grew up in Littleton, MA, with his parents, Lucile and John Henry Wilson. His father, a minister, served at the First Unitarian Church from 1927 to 1945. Lewis attended the prestigious Worcester Academy, a school with strong family ties, graduating in 1939.
Becoming Batman
In late 1942, Columbia Pictures announced their serial offerings for the 1942/43 season. Among them was The Batman, described as being "by the creators of Superman" and based on the popular Batman Magazine comic character. The studio quickly assembled a cast from its contract players, selecting 23-year-old Lewis Wilson for his first lead role. He starred alongside Shirley Patterson as Linda Page, Douglas Croft as Dick Grayson, and J. Carroll Naish as the villain. Initially cast as the Joker, Naish’s character was changed to Dr. Tito Daka, a Japanese prince, after objections from National Comics (now DC). Despite the change, Daka’s carnival sideshow lair retained a Joker-like flair.
Filming began in early 1943, and Wilson brought a mix of humor, menace, and charm to his portrayal of Batman and Bruce Wayne. The serial debuted on July 20, 1943, and ran for 15 weeks, gaining significant publicity and success in theaters.
A Career Beyond Gotham
Although his performance was well-received, serial films were not considered "legitimate" cinema at the time, and Batman did little to advance Wilson’s career. He continued in minor roles at Columbia until he was drafted in 1944. Serving in the European theater during World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge, Wilson returned to find Hollywood even more competitive. He turned to Broadway, performing alongside his wife, Dana, whom he had married in 1941.
By the 1950s, Wilson transitioned to television, landing a regular role on Craig Kennedy, Criminologist. However, heavy drinking took a toll on his appearance, aging him prematurely. His career waned after starring in the low-budget jungle film Wild Women (1953) alongside Dana. The film’s failure coincided with their divorce in 1954, and Wilson left acting, taking a sales job with General Foods.
Life After the Spotlight
Wilson and Dana had one son, Michael, who later became a producer in the James Bond film franchise after Dana remarried Bond producer Cubby Broccoli. In 1966, during the height of “Batmania” sparked by the Adam West TV series, Wilson was rediscovered living in North Hollywood. When asked about appearing on the show, he expressed interest in playing a villain, but no offer came his way.
Legacy as Batman
Despite his brief career as the Caped Crusader, Wilson remained proud of his role, appreciating the small fame it brought him. He passed away on August 9, 2000, in San Francisco at the age of 80.
As the first live-action Batman and the first DC Comics character to appear on the silver screen, Lewis Wilson holds a special place in the history of comic book adaptations.
