I'm a lifelong fan of comics, and of the actors who portrayed the characters in them. However, there are only a very few who had a pivotal impact on my life, those being the ones I encountered at my youngest, most formative years.

Actress and dancer Yvonne Craig was chief among those, one of those people who had always been there and, in my unthinking naivete, I presumed always would be.

Today, I have learned that Ms. Craig has passed away on August 17 at the forever young age of 78, after battling breast cancer.

While Craig will be eternally remembered for her portrayal of Batgirl in the iconic 1960s BATMAN television series, starring alongside Adam West and Burt Ward, fans will also recall her stunning portrayal of the green-skinned dancer, Marta, on STAR TREK. She also acted opposite of Elvis Presley in the 1964 musical, KISSIN' COUSINS.

I'm still trying to solidify my feelings about Ms. Craig's passing. She was born in 1937 in Taylorville, Illinois, not far from me. Perhaps I'll drive up there to sort myself out.

Yvonne will be missed, but she'll be with us forever.

 

Please click on the following link to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to help eliminate this disease.

Official announcement from Yvonne's family.