Yvonne Craig, famous for playing Batgirl in the 1960s, has passed away after a two-year battle with breast cancer. She was 78. Craig’s family released a statement on her website informing fans of the tragic news. The statement highlighted Craig’s optimism and inner-strength despite the diagnosis, and the family said that even two years of chemo “didn’t dampen her sense of humour or her spirit”.
Craig began her career as a dancer for The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, and later used those skills to perform her own stunts in the incredibly popular Batman and Robin TV series. She was cast as the superhero Batgirl in 1967, during the show’s last season. Craig left a lasting impression on fans of all ages, proving that girls could be just as tough as boys.
She also used her role as Batgirl to advocate for worthy causes, including pay equality. In 1974, the US Department of Labor filmed a public service announcement featuring Craig as Batgirl, demanding equal pay from Batman.
Craig inspired many and will be missed by legions of fans. After the sad news broke, many took to twitter to share their memories:
Yvonne Craig is the reason I became a comic writer.
This is very, very hard.
— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) August 19, 2015
Most of the joy in my current life can be traced back in some way to seeing Yvonne Craig be amazing as Batgirl, my first real life hero.
— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) August 19, 2015
YVONNE CRAIG was my first crush & the first thespian whose name I learned as a fan. Never met her but she was family: http://t.co/GCoa3sIZQ1
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) August 19, 2015
#RIPYvonneCraig Played Batgirl, dated Elvis, a famous ballerina & one of the nicest people I've met in Hollywood: pic.twitter.com/YThLb0v6fn
— Millarworld (@mrmarkmillar) August 19, 2015
Tristesse http://t.co/iWVfSQFt1f pic.twitter.com/pUf1yMAP32
— Marguerite Sauvage (@S_Marguerite) August 19, 2015
R.I.P. Yvonne Craig, my favorite Batgirl 💜 #BatGirl #YvonneCraig pic.twitter.com/P2d8hDEIbf
— Rebel Cats (@rebel_cats) August 19, 2015
http://t.co/4jqixjrlGq So sad to hear about Yvonne Craig, the first Batgirl! #RIPYvonneCraig
— Andrew Kreisberg (@AJKreisberg) August 19, 2015
A private service will be held, and the family has asked for donations to the Angeles Clinic Foundation, a cancer research treatment centre, in lieu of flowers. Craig will be missed by all of us here at PopWrapped, and our thoughts are with her family.
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