Quick -can you name all seven actors who’ve played Batman? There’s Adam West and Christian Bale and… were there really seven? Yes, but some of them were before your time. It started with Lewis G. Wilson in 1943 (pictured above).
Wilson was the first and youngest actor ever to play the adult Batman, and also the least successful. At 23, the unknown thespian donned the cape and the cowl in the 15-part 1943 Columbia serial Batman. While he looked the part of the dashing playboy, his physique was more Danny DeVito as the Penguin. One critic described Wilson as “thick about the middle.” Maybe that was why he wore his utility belt just below his chest. Critics also complained that his voice was too high and that he had a Boston accent. That, of course, wouldn’t be the last time someone complained about Batman’s voice.
Find out what happened to Wilson after his Batman role, as well as the other six actors who took on the part. Ben Affleck is not counted as one of the seven, because we haven’t seen him in action yet. You’ll find the roundup at Den of Geek.