AS

The following text is from the official bio given out by 20th Century Fox in conjunction with the release of the show in 1966.  Burt's life and career has moved on since the show, but this bio gives a perspective of how he was being presented during the time of the production.

One of Hollywood's fastest rising young stars, Burt Ward, who plays Robin in 20th Century-Fox Television's BATMAN series, was raised in the shadow of movie industry.

The slender young actor who plays Batman's aide in the continuing fight against crime was discovered after a nationwide search by executive producer William Dozier, whose Greenway Productions is producing the series in association with 20th-Fox TV.

In the role of Robin, Ward is required to scale the side of buildings, leap over automobiles and battle hand-to-hand with arch criminals.

He fits the role perfectly, having won athletic letters in track, wrestling, and tennis in school, and has won his "brown belt" in the Oriental sport of Karate.

A native of Los Angeles, he attended Hawthorne Elementary and graduated from Beverly Hills High School.

He was studying theater arts at UCLA when discovered for the coveted role of Robin.

Although his first ambition was to be a lawyer, young Ward now plans to continue in the acting profession since taking the first step up the ladder to fame, starring with veteran actor Adam West, who portrays "Batman.”

The two have developed a firm friendship since the role began and West has become like a brother to Burt, remembering his fledgling days in the business.

Burt’s father is a real estate broker, but at one time was a theatrical agent with MCA, and owned and operated the "Rhapsody on Ice" ice show.

While encouraging his son in his ambition to become an actor, his father made sure that Burt led a normal life as he was growing up.

The winning of the role of Robin was only the latest in a series of news making events for Burt.

When he was only two, he was featured in the Hollywood Citizen-News News­paper for his ability to ice skate, and this early training led him into many athletic endeavors.

In 1959, young "Sparky" Ward, a nickname given him by teammates on the Little League Team he pitched for, threw a no-hitter.

The same year while In the eighth grade he won first place in the decathlon in area wide competition.

Studious, as well as athletic, Burt was chosen in 1962 to demonstrate his amazing ability to read 30,000 words per minute before teachers at UCLA, and for the American Medical Convention.      

A well rounded young man, he enjoys playing chess and in his spare time paints on the nearby beach at Malibu.

Continuing his athletic pastimes, he owns an Arabian mare named "Desiree" and rides when not surfing or hunting and fishing.  He also relaxes by playing the piano.

He enjoys small, casual dinner parties and lists Adam West and Paul Newman .as his favorite actors, and Audrey Hepburn as his favorite actress.

The 20-year-old actor portrays a fifteen and a half year old in the BATMAN series, and because of his slender build and clean-cut appearance closely resembles the Robin of comic book fame.

He received initial encouragement in his acting ambition from 20th Century-Fox producer Saul David, who lives across the street from Burt's parents.  In fact, the young actor's father sold the producer his home.

David heard Burt read and was so impressed that he advised him to apply at the casting office at the studio for a part in one of the new series.

Burt applied, hoping for a bit part, and walked away with the coveted role of Robin.

VITAL STATISTICS
(in 1966)