Lewis Wilson

Wilson was born January 28, 1920, in Framingham, Massachusetts, the son of Lucile (née Gregg) and John Henry Wilson.{{Cite web|url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLGT-4WY1|title=FamilySearch.org|accessdate=November 28, 2023}}{{cite news|title=Births|work=The Christian Register|date=February 5, 1920|accessdate=January 28, 2023|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mc0fAQAAMAAJ&dq=Lewis+Gilbert+Wilson+%22January+28%2C+1920%22&pg=RA1-PA149|page=149}} He grew up in Littleton, Massachusetts, where his father was minister of the First Unitarian Church from 1927 to 1945.{{cite web|title = About - History - Complete History|url = http://www.fculittle.org/historycomplete.php|website = www.fculittle.org|accessdate = September 14, 2015|first = First Church Unitarian, Littleton|last = MA|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150727040407/http://fculittle.org/historycomplete.php|archivedate = July 27, 2015}} Wilson graduated from Worcester Academy in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1939.

Following the entry of the United States into World War II, Columbia Pictures created the first Batman live action series in 1943, 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.{{cite news|last=Kukuruzovic|first=Simon|title=Bale Piles of Weight for Batman Capers|url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-133323750|accessdate=June 4, 2012|newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph|date=June 17, 2005|url-access=subscription }} It was Wilson's screen debut at the age of 23.{{cite news|title=Oscar Batman|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10410690.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105214129/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10410690.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2013|accessdate=June 4, 2012|newspaper=The Malay Mail|date=June 16, 2005|url-access=subscription }} A sequel to the serial was made in 1949, but Robert Lowery replaced Wilson as Batman.{{Cite web |title=The Batmen - Batman In Live Action |url=https://batman-on-film.com/batman-films/batmen-batman-live-action/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=BATMAN ON FILM |language=en-US}}

After the war concluded, Wilson and his family moved to California, and he and his wife joined the Pasadena Playhouse. His final film was Naked Alibi in 1954. He then left show business and worked for General Foods.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-27 |title=LEWIS WILSON; THE FIRST BATMAN! |url=https://www.superworldcomics.com/blog/lewis-wilson-the-first-batman/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Superworld Comics |language=en-US}}

Wilson married novelist and actress Dana Natol, and they had a son, Michael G. Wilson. They met while attending the Academy of Dramatic Arts at Carnegie Hall in New York, but separated and divorced after moving to California.{{cite news|title=Dana Broccoli (Obituaries)|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-114630119.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105214126/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-114630119.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2013|accessdate=June 4, 2012|newspaper=Daily Variety|date=March 8, 2004|url-access=subscription }}{{cite news|title=Obituaries: Dana Broccoli|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1455828/Dana-Broccoli.html|accessdate=June 4, 2012|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=March 3, 2004}}

After retiring from acting, Wilson lived in North Hollywood, California.{{Cite web |title=Batman: Lewis Wilson {{!}} RR Auction |url=https://www.rrauction.com/auctions/lot-detail/34169620565522-batman-lewis-wilson/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=www.rrauction.com}}

Wilson died on August 9, 2000, in San Francisco, California, at age 80.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PZ8HAQAAMAAJ&q=lewis+wilson+batman+2000 |title=Obituaries in the Performing Arts - Harris M. Lentz - Google Books |isbn=9780786410248 |accessdate=2022-09-14|last1=Lentz |first1=Harris M. |year=2000 }}

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Category:1920 births

Category:2000 deaths

Category:American male film actors

Category:Worcester Academy alumni

Category:Male actors from New York City

Category:Male actors from Greater Los Angeles

Category:20th-century American male actors