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Yvonne CraigAmerican actress
Date of Birth: 16.05.1937
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Yvonne Craig
- Early Career
- Television and Film Career
- Role as Batgirl
- Later Career and Philanthropy
Biography of Yvonne Craig
Yvonne Joyce Craig was an American actress who gained the most recognition for her role as Batgirl in the 1960s television series 'Batman' and as the green-skinned Orion slave girl Marta in the episode 'Whom Gods Destroy' of the series 'Star Trek'. She was born on May 16, 1937, in Taylorville, Illinois, and spent the first 14 years of her life in Columbus, Ohio.
Early Career
In the 1950s, Craig became a ballerina and was a member of the 'Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo'. She gradually transitioned into the world of cinema and made her film debut in three movies in 1959: 'The Young Land', 'The Gene Krupa Story', and 'Gidget'. That same year, Craig played the role of Beverly Mills in the episode 'Little Miss Wow' of the series 'Mr. Lucky'. In 1960, she portrayed Randy Pruitt in the musical comedy 'High Time' alongside Bing Crosby. The following year, Craig appeared in the war drama 'Seven Women from Hell' with Cesar Romero, who later played the Joker in the 'Batman' series.
Television and Film Career
Craig had roles in several television series during the 1960s, including 'The Barbara Stanwyck Show', 'Death Valley Days', 'Hennesey', and 'My Three Sons'. She also appeared in five episodes of 'The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis' from 1959 to 1962, playing five different girlfriends of the main character.
One of Craig's most memorable roles was as the green-skinned Orion slave girl Marta in the 'Whom Gods Destroy' episode of the third season of 'Star Trek'. In 1965, she appeared in the episode 'The Brain-Killer Affair' of 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.', in which her character helped uncover the mystery of a brain-altering poison. Craig was invited to star in the film 'One Spy Too Many' in 1966, which was an expanded version of an episode of 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.'.
In the same year, Craig appeared in 'The Night of the Grand Emir' episode of 'The Wild Wild West', where she transformed into an exotic assassin performing an Arabian dance. She also showcased her Arabian dance skills in the series 'McHale's Navy', in the episode 'Pumpkin Takes Over', where she played the role of Nurse Suzie Clayton. In 1968, Craig portrayed Gladys Zimmerman in the episode 'Haunted Honeymoon' of 'The Ghost & Mrs. Muir' series. In 1970, she played a semi-humanoid character named Berna in the episode 'Wild Journey' of 'Land of the Giants', alongside Bruce Dern.
Role as Batgirl
Yvonne Craig's true fame came with her role as Batgirl, the alter-ego of librarian Barbara Gordon and daughter of Commissioner Gordon, in the 'Batman' series. Batgirl appeared in the final season of the show from 1967 to 1968. Batman and Robin were unaware of Batgirl's true identity, which only Alfred, Bruce Wayne's butler, knew. Craig felt a connection to her character and expressed serious dissatisfaction with 'DC Comics' when Barbara Gordon was shot and paralyzed by the Joker in the graphic novel 'Batman: The Killing Joke' in 1988.
Later Career and Philanthropy
After 'Batman', Craig continued to appear in films and television shows sporadically. She was invited to series such as 'Love, American Style', 'The Big Valley', 'It Takes a Thief', and 'Emergency!'. From 1969 to 1972, she appeared in four episodes of 'Love, American Style'. In 1973, she starred in the episode 'Dark Sunday' of the first season of 'Kojak', and in 1977, she played the role of Lena Bannister in 'The Six Million Dollar Man'. Craig also made multiple appearances on the game show 'Family Feud' from 1976 to 1985.
Towards the end of her acting career, Craig transitioned into private business. She was involved in organizing industrial exhibitions for a period and later found success in real estate. Craig maintained her own website and appeared in the documentary film 'Ballets Russes'. She was a philanthropist and a supporter of labor unions, advocating for free mammograms for women and equal pay for women.
In the years 2009 to 2011, Craig lent her voice to the character of Grandma in the animated children's series 'Olivia'. She passed away on August 17, 2015, at the age of 79, in her Los Angeles home. The cause of death was breast cancer that had metastasized to the liver.
