Cesar Romero originated the live-action role of a vibrant, campy Joker in the 1966 Batman television series and the spin-off film. He famously refused to shave his mustache, which was covered by white clown makeup, and his natural chuckle was adopted as the character's iconic laugh. Credit: @fox | History In Pictures

Cesar Romero genuinely loved playing the Joker, finding the "hammy" role a "gas" and an opportunity to break all the traditional rules of acting. He was so committed to his personal image that he famously refused to shave his trademark mustache, which production simply covered with thick white clown makeup, a visible detail that became part of the character's legacy. Credit: Texas Archive of the Moving Image | History In Pictures

🎞: 1966 promotional interview for the 1966 live action film “Batman” with Lee Meriwether and Cesar Romero who portrayed the Catwoman and the Joker, respectively. As Meriwether shows off her purrs used in the campy film, Romero discusses where Joker’s green hair came from, referencing the character’s origin story in Bill Finger’s “The Man Behind The Red Hood!”, published in 1951’s Detective Comics #168. Romero, Meriwether, and Adam West’s Batman were interviewed by Jean Boone and the movie premi