Saturday, March 19, 2011

Michael Gough, 'Batman' Co-Star, Dies At 94

British actor played butler Alfred in the 1989-1997 adaptations.
By Aly Semigran


Michael Gough in "Batman"
Photo: Warner Bros.

Gotham City has lost one of its own today. Legions of "Batman" fans are mourning the loss of British actor Michael Gough, who played the Caped Crusader's iconic right-hand man/butler Alfred Pennyworth in several of the comic's movie adaptations.

On Thursday (March 17), Gough, who appeared alongside Michael Keaton in the 1989 original "Batman," passed away at the age of 94. The cause of his death has not yet been reported.

In addition to playing Alfred (a role that was later taken over by Michael Caine) in 1992's "Batman Returns," 1995's "Batman Forever" and 1997's "Batman & Robin," the BAFTA Award-winning actor also appeared as both the Celestial Toymaker and Councillor Hedin in the original "Doctor Who" television series. He won a Tony Award in 1979 for the Broadway play "Bedroom Farce."

Gough was born in 1916 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and began his acting career in 1946. He starred in a number of TV-movies and series, including 1967's "Pride and Prejudice," in which he played Mr. Bennet. His long list of impressive film credits includes 1962's "The Phantom of the Opera," Sydney Pollack's Oscar-winner "Out of Africa" and Martin Scorcese's "The Age of Innocence."

Gough had maintained a good working relationship with director Tim Burton since their time together on "Batman." He also appeared in the director's "Sleepy Hollow," "Corpse Bride" and, in what would be his last major project, as the voice of Dodo Bird in 2010's "Alice in Wonderland."

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