Original TV 'Batman' Star Adam West Kept Madge Blake (Aunt Harriet) From Being Fired in 1969

Madge Blake with Adam West and friend in a scene from TV's "Batman" series.Photo byimdb.com

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, commentary and quotes in this article are from an interview conducted by the author with those mentioned.]

Saving Madge

She was a beloved character actress of the stage, television, and big screen. She was best known as Aunt Harriet in the original 1960s small-screen production of Batman (ABC, 1966-1969). However, she was almost fired from that super hit series before the show's star Adam West stepped up and saved her job. Her name was Madge Blake, she died shortly after the Batman series was canceled, and this is her story.

A Closer Look

At one point, the producers of Batman wanted to fire Madge Blake, for reasons they kept to themselves. Adam West, who played Batman/Bruce Wayne in the super hit series, was dear friends with Blake, and very protective.

Upon learning that the show's producers were planning to fire Blake, West loyally defended her and ensured her employment on the series.

The day after West stood firm on behalf of the beloved actress, he discovered a freshly baked cake in his dressing room. Until the day West died, he considered that gesture one of the greatest compliments he had ever received.

Fred Westbrook, who died in 2016, was West's agent for the last decades of his life. As Westbrook once explained, "Adam adored Madge. He knew how ill she was, and he wasn't going to stand by and let her get fired, let alone be mistreated."

Talent agent Fred Westbrook with his client Adam West.Photo by66batman.com

For More Perspective

Declining health caused Madge Blake's role as Aunt Harriet to be reduced on Batman. With the third-season introduction of Batgirl/Barbara Gordon, a new character played by Yvonne Craig (who died in 2015), Blake's Aunt Harriet appeared in only two episodes.

Shortly before her demise, Blake portrayed Mrs. Hardy in "The Con Man" episode of the CBS sitcom The Doris Day Show.

In the End

Madge Blake was admitted to Huntington Memorial Hospital where she died at age 69, the result of a heart attack. She was interred beside her mother in the family plot at Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery.

Photo byimdb.com