Cesar Romero

The grandson of Cuban revolutionary José Martí , Cesar Romero was born Feb. 15, 1907, in New York City and began his career as a nightclub performer (known in many circles as "the Latin from Manhattan") before moving to the Broadway stage.

Transitioning to films, Romero played a gigolo in 1934's The Thin Man. The part soon led to starring roles in such classics as The Devil Is a Woman (1935), The Gay Caballero (1940), Romance of the Rio Grande (1940), Springtime in the Rockies (1942) and The Captain from Castile (1947). As debonair as ever in his mid-50s, Romero scored a Golden Globe nomination as Best Supporting Actor for the 1962 comedy If a Man Answers.

But Romero is most often remembered for his turn as clownish villain the Joker on the TV series "Batman" -- a colorful role that earned the actor a cult following for years to come. He passed away Jan. 1, 1994.

Filmography