Yvonne Craig’s Batgirl Made History — Her Later Life May Surprise You
A Look Back at the Legendary Batgirl Who Enthralled Generations
Born in Taylorville, Illinois, on May 16, 1937, and brought up in Columbus, Ohio, Yvonne Craig made a lasting impression on the television industry as one of the first female superheroes to appear on television.
Craig was a trailblazer who broke down boundaries for women in action roles and became a beloved figure in pop culture history.
She is most known for her energetic performance as Batgirl in the iconic Batman TV series from the 1960s.
Craig trained as a professional ballerina before taking on the role that would define her career.
Early on, she became a member of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, where she developed the poise, discipline, and physicality that would later characterize her on-screen persona.
She started acting in the late 1950s and made her way to Hollywood, landing modest but noteworthy parts in movies like It Happened at the World’s Fair (1963) and Gidget (1959), the latter of which starred her alongside none other than Elvis Presley.
However, Craig’s career took a significant turn in 1967 when she was chosen to play Barbara Gordon in the third season of ABC’s Batman.
Gordon was a librarian by day and a crime-fighting Batgirl by night. Craig’s Batgirl gave the series a fresh new dimension with her purple outfit, motorbike, and sharp sense of humor.
She demonstrated her physical strength and ballet training by performing several of her own stunts.
Craig’s Batgirl was intelligent, self-reliant, and strong during a period when there were few female action heroes. She served as an inspiration to many young girls who watched at home.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Craig continued to make appearances in a number of well-known television programs outside of Batman.
She played the green-skinned Orion slave girl Marta in the 1969 episode “Whom Gods Destroy,” which was her most noteworthy Star Trek performance.
Her reputation as a dependable and captivating television actor was cemented by her guest appearances on programs such as McHale’s Navy, The Wild Wild West, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Craig never quite made the leap to Hollywood leading woman status, despite her popularity. Her beauty, charisma, and the path she paved for female characters in television, however, kept her a favorite among fans. In the 1980s, she gave from acting to pursue a lucrative second career in real estate.
Craig was an activist for significant social problems outside of her work life. She spoke her opinions on public health and equal rights issues and contributed to PSAs raising awareness of cancer and immunization.
Because she firmly believed in the value of representation and empowerment, she was especially concerned about women’s rights.
Craig was always open about her relationship with Batgirl. She frequently reminisced about her time in the cape and cowl in interviews and at fan events.
In addition to being a career high point, she viewed the role as a cultural turning point that opened up new opportunities for women in entertainment.
Craig kept in touch with her followers despite leading a peaceful life in her final years. Admirers all throughout the world showered her with love and respect after she passed away on August 17, 2015, at the age of 78 from complications related to breast cancer.
In addition to her skill and beauty, tributes emphasized her contributions to women’s liberation and television history.
Yvonne Craig is recognized today as a trailblazer in addition to being Batgirl. New generations of artists and viewers are still motivated by her legacy.
The woman who helped start it all—fighting crime with intellect, bravery, and a dash of purple—deserves recognition in a world where superhero stories rule both large and small screens.
