American actor, an accomplished impressionist and comedian in the ’60s and dramatic actor. Gorshin made
his film debut in the 1955 action drama “Hot Rod Girl” followed by “The Proud and the Profane,” 1956. A decade later he was remembered for his hypo-manic portrayal of The Riddler in the Batman TV series. The bulk of his career was in low-budget films but he also had roles in a few major features. He played TV as a guest star on comedies, dramas and variety shows. A consummate pro, he has also done night club and concert performances. The son of a railroad worker and a seamstress, he discovered acting at 12. When working as an usher at the local theater, the teenager began to do impressions of some of his screen heroes. At 17, he won a talent contest of performing for one week, his first paid job as an entertainer. Two days before his big opening, his 15-year-old brother was hit and killed by a car. The family insisted that he complete his debut.
After high school, Gorshin took drama school and played in local clubs. In 1953, he entered the U.S. army for two years, serving as an entertainer. When he returned to civilian life, he started in Hollywood with film and TV.
His repertoire of impressions includes some 50 vivid characterizations in which he actually seems to morph into the character, ranging from such diverse subjects as Brando to Ed Sullivan to Hannibal Lechter, Kirk Douglas to Jack Nicholson to Rodney Dangerfield. His talent is surprisingly versatile, not only for theatrical finesse but also as a singer. No matter what his medium, he loves his work and gives it his all.
In 1978 and 1979, Gorshin was named one of the “Ten Best Dressed Men in America” by the Custom International Bachelor Women’s Society. During 1980 Gorshin served as Honorary Chairman, Entertainment Division, for the American Heart association. Among his prized possessions is a review from Hollywood Reporter: “Frank Gorshin is so talented, he has to be on of the greatest entertainers today. He is an actor- a fine actor. He is a singer- a fine singer. He is a comic- a splendid comic”
Just weeks after his 72nd birthday, the actor who could impersonate the famous and infamous died in Burbank California on May 17, 2005. His death was attributed to lung cancer, emphysema and pneumonia.
Link to Wikipedia biography