Julie Newmar Hails Burt Ward as Perfect Robin in ‘Batman’ Series

Julie Newmar, who played Catwoman in the 1960s Batman series, recently reflected on the decision to cast Burt Ward as Robin, describing it as ‘absolutely perfect.’ Her comments were shared in an interview with Fox News Digital, where she expressed admiration for Ward’s ability to bring depth and charm to the role of the Boy Wonder, even as he often amused Adam West with his admiration for the hero.

Ward, now 80, has remained deeply grateful for the role, which not only catapulted him to fame but also allowed him to work alongside Hollywood icons such as West and others in the industry. Newmar, who played the feline villain, recalled how their collaboration on set was a ‘pure purr-fection,’ a term she used to describe the way Ward and West’s chemistry came together for the camera. Newmar praised Ward for his ‘copy-cat behavior,’ a term used to describe how he matched West’s performance while also bringing his own flair, sometimes to the point of amusing the actor.

The Batman series, which ran for three seasons from 1966 to 1968, became a cultural phenomenon and is remembered for its campy yet iconic portrayal of the superhero. Newmar’s statement came after Ward was recently asked by Remind Magazine about his favorite Catwoman. He responded that he liked all of them, noting that each brought a different flavor to the role while still delivering an exceptional performance. Newmar, who played the role before Lee Meriwether and Eartha Kitt took over, also took the opportunity to highlight her own journey to the role.

She described the process of being cast as Catwoman in the series as surprisingly simple, with little formal auditioning involved. She mentioned that the casting decision was almost immediate, with her brother pushing her onto a plane within a weekend, and by Tuesday, she was already fitting into the costumes. This swift process was a reflection of the fast-paced nature of television production at the time. Newmar’s costume, which was specifically designed to accentuate her hourglass figure, was eventually donated to the Smithsonian Institution, a testament to her legacy in pop culture.

Since the series came to an end, Newmar has maintained a strong connection with both Ward and West. She described the actors as ‘very dear to me,’ with their relationship growing over the years. She has often expressed how much she still admires the series and how no other Batman portrayal has ever matched the charm and charisma of the original. Newmar has continued to be active in the entertainment industry beyond her acting career, focusing on writing and maintaining an online presence to engage with fans.