Remembering David Wayne

[Dr. Shimel]

Twenty years ago today, David Wayne died. Obviously, he had a varied career, but his two performances as Mad Hatter remain among his best.

[epaddon]

His biggest fame had been on stage where he'd originated the role played by Jack Lemmon in the film version of "Mister Roberts." Great as his Mad Hatter guest shots were I'll always know him best as Jim Hutton's police inspector father on "Ellery Queen" (the most underrated 70s detective show).

[Progress Pigment]

He did a comedy series called "Housecalls" in the 80's that I really liked. I was stunned to find out he disliked doing Batman! He was wonderful as the Mad Hatter, and the character has continued in the comics partially due to him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xydFnSTntc

[Robin Holyisms]

He did a comedy series called "Housecalls" in the 80's that I really liked. I was stunned to find out he disliked doing Batman! He was wonderful as the Mad Hatter, and the character has continued in the comics partially due to him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xydFnSTntc

I'm not sure if this was reported anywhere else, but it does say that in Joel Eisner's official Batbook. But in Adam West's book he says that David Wayne LOVED playing the Mad Hatter character, because he would play around with his trick hat in between takes.

These conflicting reports are kind of similar to what was said about Vincent Price who of course played Egghead. For his appearances on Family Feud in episodes that pitted the Batman cast against the casts of Lost in Space and Gilligan's Island, he apparently didn't want to be referred to as Egghead since he hated the character.

But a few years ago his daughter did a interview with Scream Factory and said that he loved playing the Egghead character.

That interview can be seen here:

Vincent Price's Daughter Interview - Price On Batman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsqDp_4cGnw

And at least one of the Family Feud episodes can be seen here:

Family Feud: Batman Vs. Lost in Space
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY_k9IVAsFE

[Mr. Deathtrap]

Citizens,

Though reports of David Wayne liking playing Mad Hatter vary, I have read he apprecited the audiance response he received from the role. I also echo Eppadon enjoying his performances as Inspector Queen.

Mr. Deathtrap