Episode 76 – Return To The Batcave With “Batman” Star Burt Ward

During the second half of Tony’s fascinating conversation with actor Burt Ward they discuss how martial arts legend Bruce Lee did his very first on-screen fight scene with him on an episode of “Batman”, how he was denied having a stunt double during his initial time playing Robin as the stuntman did not resemble him, his unfortunate string of emergency room visits his first week shooting Batman due to the dangerous stunts they had him do on set, how the bulge in his tights enraged the Catholic League of Decency leading to the studio taking drastic measures to fix the problem, his memories of all the world famous guest stars they had on the show week after week, how he went from playing the Boy Wonder on TV to becoming a canine and cat crusader in real life, the heartwarming story of how he & his wife have saved thousands of dogs through their pet rescue & adoption charitable organization Gentle Giants, how they created the healthiest dog & cat food in the world called Gentle Giants Pet Food, and his thoughts about finally receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

BURT WARD

From Caped Crusader to Canine Crusader to Cat and Kitten Crusader

Burt had all the makings of a true Boy Wonder: At the age of two, Burt was featured as the world's youngest professional ice skater in "Strange As It Seems," a predecessor to Ripley's "Believe It Or Not" and to "The Guinness Book Of World Records." As a teenager, Burt was an all-around athlete, strong in martial arts, wrestling, track, tennis and golf, and combined with a sharp intellect, played “first board” in chess for Beverly Hills High School, achieved placement in the top 3% in the U.S. in math and science tests at UCLA, and became the world’s fastest reader – Burt tested before the American Medical Society in Beverly Hills, California and was clocked at 30,000 words per minute with 90% comprehension (the average reader reads 240 words per minute with 40% comprehension). Burt was featured in an article entitled, “Will the Real Boy Wonder Please Stand Up” and subsequently appeared on the national television educational reading show “Read Right.”

With the help of his father, Bert Gervis, a prominent real estate broker in Beverly Hills, CA, Burt became one of the youngest real estate agents in California, and met producer, Saul David, who arranged for him to be represented by a Hollywood agent. Burt’s first interview was set up at 20^thCentury Fox Studios, and a few weeks later, he was called back for a screen test with Adam West.

Little did aspiring young actor, Burt Ward, know that learning martial arts in addition to his mental and athletic prowess would change his life forever. Holder of a brown belt in karate at the time, Burt showed off his athletic ability for the producers by demonstrating some falls and tumbles, and even broke a one-inch thick pine board with his hand. Later, Burt attained his black belt from his instructor, All Korean champion, Young Ik Suh. Burt was friends with Bruce Lee and sparred with him privately and during the filming of Batman. A special piece of movie trivia is that Bruce Lee’s first filmed fight scene of his career was fighting Burt Ward in an episode on ‘Batman.’ In October 2015, Burt was inducted into the International Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame.

Batman Executive Producer, William Dozier, told Burt that he was chosen out of more than 1,100 other young actors trying out for the role of 'Robin' because the producers believed that "If there really was a real 'Robin,’ The Boy Wonder,' Burt would be it," so they requested him to "just be yourself and be enthusiastic." As a result, all of the mannerisms you see Robin doing like punching his fist into his palm, jumping over the door in and out of the Batmobile, and all the other unique Robin traits of the character onscreen were created by Burt himself as his contribution to the legendary role of the Robin character. When he first met Burt, Batman Executive Producer, William Dozier, commented to Burt that he was “kind of big for the part” and Burt promptly replied, “I promise you, sir, I won’t grow anymore.” Dozier laughed and told Burt that he would hold him to that promise. Dozier later stated in an interview when he knew he'd found his perfect Boy Wonder, "The boy, Burt Ward, had never done anything before and the moment he walked into this office I knew he was Robin because he had that 'Gee Whiz, Mr. Dozier' approach right off the bat that couldn't be duplicated!"

It wasn’t until six weeks after the screen test that Burt learned that he had won the coveted role of Robin, the Boy Wonder in the new “Batman” TV series for ABC-TV. He was everything they wanted. All he had to do was just be himself and be enthusiastic.

On January 12, 1966 Batman aired nationally on ABC and instantly became a massive worldwide success! Biff, Bam, Boom! The ratings soared through the roof! Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin became beloved characters that were welcomed into homes and hearts across America and the world.

During the filming of Batman and for more than 50 years thereafter, Burt and Adam West remained close friends and made thousands of personal appearances together signing millions of autographs and were featured in hundreds of magazine articles, including on the cover of Life magazine. Burt Ward and Adam West continued to do movies, TV shows and appearances, individually and together, until Adam's death in 2017.

In 1984, Burt was honored and received Harvard University’s “Man of the Year” Award. At the event, Burt brought one of his original Robin costumes, even then valued at six figures. Some students came up to him dressed as security guards and told him they would keep the costume safe. Then, in the middle of Burt’s speech, one student stood up and asked, "When is a costume not a costume? When it's stolen" (similar to how the Riddler asked and answered questions on Batman). The lights dimmed and the students grabbed the costume and made off. After snapping photos with one another in the cape, they later called Ward and gave the costume back. The ringleader of the gang? Harvard Lampoon editor, Conan O'Brien.

Burt has also been submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records as the actor who has played "Robin, the Boy Wonder" the most onscreen and in all forms of media; including TV, Movies, Animated Features, TV Animated Series, Radio performances, and more.

In 1989, Burt met and fell in love with the lady of his dreams and future wife, Tracy Posner. Tracy is an immensely successful businesswoman and the daughter of billionaire industrialist and philanthropist, Victor Posner, a member of Forbes 400. Burt and Tracy found that they had so much in common – successful business careers, love of rescuing animals, and a devotion to making a better world for all people.

Burt and Tracy were married on July 15, 1990 and moved to Hermosa Beach, California where their daughter, Melody, was born in 1991. In 1994, Burt, Tracy and Melody moved to Norco, California, a horse community as well as a unique animal friendly city where residents are able to have farm animals and domesticated Zebras, Llamas, Ostriches, Emus, Camels, etc.

From “Caped Crusader” to “Canine Crusader” to “Cat and Kitten Crusader.”

During the first months in their new home, in 1994, Burt and Tracy rescued a Great Dane in distress. From this experience, they learned about dozens of other Great Danes dying in animal shelters because there was no rescue to save them. Both Burt and Tracy have a huge love for animals. That’s when they made a decision to create a rescue for Great Danes and other giant dog breeds - and ultimately all dogs in need in all sizes and unique combinations.

In August of 1994, Burt and Tracy discovered that the rescuer of Great Danes in Southern California had passed away and dozens of Great Danes were being sent to animal shelters and were being euthanized. Burt and Tracy had previously adopted two Great Danes, but unknown to them at the time, Great Dane owners that were not able to keep their dogs and could not find homes for them, had to turn their Great Danes into shelters where they were put to death. Upon finding out about this, Burt and Tracy took decisive action to save the Great Danes all over Southern California. Within one month of starting their rescue, their home was filled with adult Great Danes and dozens of Great Dane puppies that they rescued from animal shelters throughout Southern California.

Located 50 miles east of Los Angeles in Norco, CA, a unique animal friendly community, Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity created by Burt and Tracy. Gentle Giants has rescued and adopted more than 15,500 giant breed, medium breed, and small breed dogs, along with unique combinations and hundreds of cats, during their 30 years of operation from across the U.S. and even internationally. They train all of their dogs socially and behaviorally, and all of the dogs live communally together in their home. Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions has become the largest giant breed dog rescue in the world and rescues and finds homes for 45 different dog breeds and unique combinations, ranging from 2 lbs. to 300 lbs.

“There is nothing more precious than life,” says Burt. Sadly, dogs and cats have much shorter lives than human beings. Pet parents love their dogs and cats and want to keep them with them as long as possible and have them live healthy and happy lives. Burt and Tracy have dedicated their lives to helping all beloved pets live longer and healthier, and they have succeeded in adding years of life to dogs and cats by combining their Special Feeding and Care Program with their Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants Pet Food. They want everyone to learn the importance of protecting our pets and our planet from genetically modified organisms also called GMOs. Unfortunately, almost all pet foods contain genetically modified organisms as well as insecticides and pesticides. Genetically modified crops and ingredients were created by changing the DNA inside the crops that produce the food that humans and animals eat so the crops won’t be destroyed by the pesticides and insecticides that are sprayed on crops to eliminate pests and insects. The crops survive and the pests and insects die. Sadly for dogs and cats, however, the altered DNA contains insecticides and pesticides and when combined with the additional insecticides and pesticides sprayed on the plants to kill the pests, the crops absorb the pesticides and the food produced can cause deadly cancers and other serious ailments in the dogs and cats that eat the food.

Prominent veterinarians state that 20 or more years ago - before GMOs were put into pet food, these veterinarians would see only 1 or 2 pet patients (dogs or cats), a month with cancer. Now, in today's world with GMOs in 90% or more of our food supply, these same vets say that every single day one out of every two dog and cat patients that they see have cancer and as many as 60 other debilitating ailments. These veterinarians attribute this high rate of cancer and many other illnesses, allergies and gastrointestinal problems to the GMOs in pet foods and they encourage pet owners to only feed their pets foods that have NO GMO ingredients. “This a horrible tragic situation” says Burt. Burt and Tracy have successfully contributed to solving that problem for most dogs and cats.

Burt and Tracy believe that pets who eat foods that have No GMO Ingredients and No Pesticides can live longer and healthier.

The benefit of pet parents having their beloved pet with them many years longer is not only a wonderful thing for their pets, but is equally wonderful and emotionally enriching for the people who love them. Traditionally, giant breed dogs have short lifespans; living 6-8 years or 7-9 years, depending on the breed. Spending millions of dollars and more than three decades of rescuing, caring for and adopting, researching and testing, and then combining their Gentle Giants Special Feeding and Care Program with their Natural Non GMO Ingredients Pet Foods, Burt and Tracy have devoted their lives to improving the lives of our precious pets.

Dogs eating Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants Dog and Puppy Food and following Gentle Giants Special Feeding and Care Program are living as long as 30 or more healthy, active years with a wonderful quality of life. Cats can also live longer and healthier with Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants Cat and Kitten Food.

Burt and Tracy’s company, Gentle Giants Products, produces Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants World Class Canine Nutrition Dog and Puppy Food and Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants Cat and Kitten Food. Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants World Class Canine Nutrition Dog and Puppy Food is a dry food that features special recipes of Farm Raised Chicken, Real Beef and Real Bacon, and Wild Caught Salmon, is sold in thousands of stores across the U.S., including Petco nationally, Target nationally, H-E-B grocery stores in Texas, Food City grocery stores in Kentucky, Virginia, Alabama and Tennessee, Stater Bros. Markets, Ralphs grocery stores and Gelson’s Supermarkets in Southern California, and Save Mart and Lucky grocery stores in Northern California. Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants World Class Canine Nutrition Dog and Puppy Food is also sold in hundreds of Walmart Supercenters in Canada. Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants Cat and Kitten Food is also being distributed into retail stores nationally.

Online, Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants World Class Canine Nutrition Dog and Puppy Food and Natural Non GMO Gentle Giants Cat and Kitten Food are also sold nationally through mail order on Petco.com, Chewy.com, TractorSupply.com, Target.com, Petsmart.com and Amazon.com.

Gentle Giants also has a spectacular line of canned dog food and cat food, with 90% Beef, 90% Chicken, 90% Turkey, 90% Salmon and 90% Tuna. Each entrée has eight (8) fruits and vegetables, all Natural Non GMO ingredients that do not contain genetically modified organisms. “Gentle Giants Natural Non GMO Ingredients Canned Dog and Puppy Food and Canned Cat and Kitten Food is are made with ALL Fresh Ingredients which makes a huge difference in taste and nutrition for our precious pets” says Burt. Gentle Giants Products is also developing an entire line of Natural Non GMO Ingredients healthy treats for dogs and cats.

In 2016, Burt Ward's and Adam West's new animated feature film, "Batman: Return Of The Caped Crusaders" was released in theaters as well as on Blu-Ray and DVD, and was reviewed and acknowledged to be the best Animated Superhero Movie of the year for 2016.

The 2017 release of the sequel to "Batman: Return of The Caped Crusaders" entitled "Batman vs Two-Face" again had Burt Ward and Adam West starring and working together, but this time, they were joined by William Shatner portraying the insidious villain, Two-Face, which has been received with tremendous reviews, and was voted the Best Animated Superhero Movie of 2017! "Batman vs Two-Face" joins the actors of the two most iconic TV series in television history: "Batman" and "Star Trek," working together in a thrilling, non-stop action feature that is fabulous for "Kids of All Ages." Included on the "Batman vs Two-Face" Blu-Ray and DVD is a very special 15 minute surprise bonus tribute to Burt from Warner Bros. entitled "The Wonderful World of Burt Ward," showing the special friendship that Burt and Adam West shared through the years of working together, and also documenting Burt and Tracy's dedication to helping dogs live longer, healthier, happier lives and the development of the unique "Gentle Giants Special Feeding and Care Program" and Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants World Class Canine Nutrition Dog and Puppy Food.

Tracy Ward accompanies Burt at many of his appearances and dresses as "Robin's Girl" and wears her "Robin's Girl" costume.

“Holy Hot Dog, Batman!” says Burt. Burt 'Robin' Ward was honored with his own Superhero Hot Dog by Hollywood's Legendary Pink's. The World Famous Pink's Hotdog Restaurant created a special delicious 'Burt "Robin" Ward Hotdog' (designed by Burt) in Burt's honor and it remains a popular Batmenu choice.

Burt was the Grand Marshall of the Norco Christmas Parade accompanied by Tracy. Each year, Burt and Tracy Ward also ride in the Batmobile in the famed Hollywood Christmas Parade to benefit Toys for Tots. Additionally, Burt was also Grand Marshall for the Huntington Beach Parade, the largest July 4th parade in the nation.

Burt received his Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 9, 2020. Following the awards ceremony, Burt and Tracy held a huge celebration party at the world famous Hollywood Museum and created the First Annual Burt Ward Batman ’66 Global Batusi for World Peace Day, Dance, and Contest. Separate simultaneous events, dances and contests were held were held all over the world: and the Batusi was danced in Los Angeles, Times Square in New York, Australia, England, Scotland and many other locations nationally in the U.S. and internationally in many countries. People all over the world participated and sent videos from many countries with Batfans dancing the famous “Batusi.”

Promotion for the event was spread internationally through social media as well as television and radio interviews featuring Burt and Tracy. The promotion announced “Burt Ward, Robin, The Caped Crusader and The Canine Crusader is calling the whole world to action to dance together during The Global Batusi Dane For Peace. In a world gone crazy, let’s leave everyday worries and stresses behind as we join "Batman Doing The Batusi" and say "Holy Wow" with Burt Ward Robin The Boy Wonder.” Burt and Tracy called upon the whole world to unite and celebrate and dance the Batusi together in honor of and in tribute to all of the Heroes and Villains of Batman past and present and to help all precious pets live the longest, healthiest, happiest lives possible with a wonderful quality of life . . . and to help all living creatures celebrate the sanctity of life. Tracy Ward also wrote and sang the song "Batman Doing The Batusi" that people around the world danced to for the cause of peace at this incredible event.

On the same day as Burt’s Star Ceremony and the Global Batusi, Burt and Tracy also created and held the first ‘Superheroes To The Rescue Awards’ where Awards were given out to special individuals who have made a difference in the world by helping animals and humans in need. More events and award ceremonies are planned for the future.

Burt and Tracy also worked with Donnelle Dadigan, philanthropist and owner of the Hollywood Museum to help in the creation of the history making “Batman ‘66 Exhibit” at the Hollywood Museum in honor of Adam West and Burt Ward and all of the Heroes and Villains of Batman ‘66. To this day, this great history making exhibit is the first of its kind.

Burt and Tracy have formed 'Burt Ward's and Tracy Ward's Superheroes To The Rescue Inc. to empower everyone worldwide to realize that 'We Can All Be Superheroes When We Do Whatever We Can to Help Each Other, Animals and The World' - to use our own special abilities and innate 'Super Powers' to help animals and anyone in need. Superheroes To The Rescue Inc. is developing TV shows, movies, music and products that inspire people to appreciate one another and join together to make our world the best place that it can be. They will also be creating 'edutainment' programming and products to teach children of all ages to love and properly care for animals and to understand that we are all ‘Superheroes’ when we work together for good, love each other, and share our dreams and values of honesty, integrity and kindness to all.

In 2020, Burt filmed a special appearance on the TV show, ‘Supergirl,’ that was part of the 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' television crossover that combined five popular superhero TV series that included the five Arrow-verse television series - Arrow, The Flash, Batwoman, Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow.

Burt is currently doing virtual media interviews and virtual appearances worldwide. Following the passing of Adam West, Burt made a virtual appearance at ‘Adam West Day’ in Walla Walla, WA which was a huge success and loved by all attendees.

On April 28, 2024, at an event held by The Royal Society of Saint George California, Burt was awarded The President’s Volunteer Service Award and The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the President of the United States. The United Nations Association of America also individually awarded Burt and Tracy the UNAA Humanitarian Award.

Royal Society of Saint George California Chairperson Princess Karen Cantrell and Deputy Chair Sandro Monetti both participated in presenting Burt Ward with The President's Volunteer Service Award and The President's Lifetime Achievement Award, and Barry Simon of The United Nations Association of America presented Burt and his wife, Tracy Posner Ward, with the UNAA Humanitarian Award.

Burt Ward said, "This is one of the highest honors of my career being recognized by the President of The United States for doing something we love to do to help make a difference in the world. I accept this award on behalf of my wife, Tracy, and myself because we have done everything together."

Princess Karen Cantrell, Chair of the RSSG California said, "The Royal Society of Saint George was so happy to have been able to nominate Burt Ward for the President's Lifetime Achievement Award for their countless hours of service to others top make our country and the world we live in a better place to live. We are thrilled to have presented on behalf of The White House and President Biden."

The President said in a letter, "I congratulate you on taking it upon yourself to contribute to the public good, and I'm proud to present you with the President's Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of your 4,016 hours of service to this great Nation."

Sandro Monetti, Deputy Chair of RSSG California said "The Boy Wonder has become a man of honor."

Burt Ward has dedicated his life to accomplishment and charity.

Official Burt Ward Website https://www.burtwardrobintheboywonder.com

Gentle Giants Pet Food https://www.gentlegiantsdogfood.com

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