Below we see TV’s Adam West, posing on the beach with none other than his trusty Great Dane sidekick, Batdog! Beginning his acting career in the 1950s, West is most known for his iconic role of Batman, in the Batman television series. In recent years, West appeared as a cartoon version of himself on Nickelodeon’s “The Fairly OddParents” (2003–2008). Additionally, he also held a recurrent role as a cartoon version of himself as the mayor of Quahog, on the hit TV comedy, Family Guy and on The Simpsons .
On the big screen, West appeared as a wealthy husband who meets his untimely death in Paul Newman’s The Young Philadelphians (1959), and in 1964, the role of one of the first two humans to arrive on Mars in “Robinson Crusoe on Mars.” Though West sadly passed away at the age of 88, on June 9th, 2017, his legacy still continues to live on to this day.
The Swedish Model and Actress Maud Adams, in 1966
Pictured in the below photo is head-turning Sweedish actress Maud Solveig Christina Adams. Best known for her portrayal of not one, but two Bond girls in the iconic James Bond films—the first being “The Man with the Golden Gun” (1974), the second being the “eponymous” character in “Octopussy” (1983). In addition to her iconic roles in the James Bond movie franchise, little known to many of her fans, Adams also appeared briefly in an uncredited role in the film “A View to a Kill” (1985).
It wasn’t until her role as “the doomed mistress of the villain” in the Bond movie, “The Man with the Golden Gun” that Adams was truly recognized as the ultimate face of international beauty and fame. Looking back on her appearances as minor characters in the Bond films over 30 years ago, Adams, now 74 years of age, still reflects back on roles like that of the infamous seductress, Octopussy.
And Scene! Lucille Ball and John Wayne Posing During a Scene From “The Lucy Show” (1966)
Below, America’s favorite goofy redhead actress Lucille Ball gives actor John Wayne something to talk about! A scene from a classic episode of “The Lucy Show,” aired on November 21, 1966, in this episode of the comedy television series, “Mr. Mooney sends Lucy to deliver some papers pertaining to the financing of John Wayne’s latest production. Despite his orders to drop off the papers with one of the studio’s secretaries, Lucy insists on meeting Mr. Wayne in person at lunch and spills ketchup all over him. She then trails him to his movie set and causes all sorts of havoc.”
The oldest of two siblings, growing up Ball viewed herself as a tomboy, and not one who enjoyed frilly, fancy ribbons. Due to her somewhat boyish nature, she often rough-housed with her father, bonding time which would later further Ball’s rowdy, loud personality and demeanor. Because of Ball’s large amounts of high, often unmanageable energy, when doing laundry Ball’s mother would actually put a leash around her rambunctious daughter, to ensure she stayed close and caused as little trouble as possible.
Italian Film Star Claudia Cardinale Looking off into the Distance During an Event in 1963
The photograph below captures the beautiful Claudia Cardinale: an Italian film star who successfully captured the hearts of millions of adoring fans all over the world. Blessed with much more than just beauty, Cardinale’s raw talent is exemplified in her performances in films, including, “Girl with a Suitcase” (1961), “The Leopard” (1963), and Federico Fellini’s "8½" (1963).
Though Cardinale first caught the attention of Europeans through her performances in a myriad of hit European films throughout the 1960s and ‘70s, it was not long before this Italian film actress and international sex symbol became a household name in the U.S., and later the rest of the world, through her iconic performance in the film, “ The Pink Panther.”
Family Feud: the Soap-operish Antics of the Campbells and the Tates (1977-1981)
Pictured in the below photo is the cast of “Soap,” a popular comedic television show following the “soap-operish antics” of the Campbell and Tate families. On air from 1977 to 1981, this primetime comedy show was created as a parody of television soap operas. As if the premise behind the series wasn’t funny enough, the hilarious acting performances of cast members like Katherine Helmond, Richard Mulligan, and a young Billy Crystal only made this comedic parody series even better.
By bringing topics like homosexuality, prostitution, and murder to the screen—subjects considered taboo in the late 1970s—“Soap” was a show considered way ahead of its time, on multiple levels. Throw in alien abductions, demonic possession, and a little kidnapping on the side, and you’ve got yourself a bold, iconic television show, one which quickly earned itself a loyal, dedicated fanbase! Not known to many of the sitcom’s fans, this controversial show was actually almost canceled before being aired on TV!