Michael Gough Dies: Alfred From 'Batman' Passes Away

Michael Gough, the British actor best known for playing Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred in a series of Batman movies, died Thursday at age 94, his ex-wife said.

Gough appeared in more than 150 movies and television shows, including British science-fiction show "Doctor Who," and recently voiced characters in Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" and "Corpse Bride." But he remains best remembered for his role as Alfred Pennyworth in the Batman franchise, opposite three different Batmans: Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer and George Clooney.

The veteran actor died at home in England, surrounded by family, his ex-wife Anneke Wills said through her agent.

Wills, who herself starred in the "Dr. Who," said in an obituary posted on its website: "As his body was deteriorating this week, he said that he wanted to hang on for St. Patrick's Day. And he did, just. In the end ... there is only love."

Gough starred in "Batman Returns," directed by Burton in 1992, and "Batman Forever" in 1995 and "Batman and Robin" in 1997, both by Joel Schumacher.

Comments

[Mike Blair]

11:36 AM on 03/18/2011

This is a piece of my childhood gone now. I grew up watching the Batman movies.

[Heather Victoria Swanson]

07:47 AM on 03/18/2011

Much as I do love Michael Caine, I've forever had a soft spot for Mr. Gough's version of Alfred. Sad that he's gone.

[AJOHMSS]

05:27 AM on 03/18/2011

Great character actor and the definitive Alfred.

I'm especially fond of his appearances in some great British horror movies from the 60's and 70's as well as his contribution to the always magnificent to watch "The Go-Between".

Horror fans should also remember that he played the part of Emeric Belasco in the classic "The Legend of Hell House".

He will be missed.

[aaronssongs]

04:47 AM on 03/18/2011

He was a fine, fine character actor...he'll be missed. R.I.P.

[DejzaVoo]

01:26 AM on 03/18/2011

:(

[e paw]

01:10 AM on 03/18/2011

NOOO!! He was exactly how I pictured Alfred. The only thing I would change in Christopher Nolan's Batman, (forgot about Batman's voice). Sigh, memories. Childhood comics about all the ways my friends and I would abuse Alfred. Who's back will I ride to the beer store? Making him crawl through broken glass and clean the hilarious messes I can conjure. Alfred, you'll be missed. Yes my friends and I had no lives.

[WheelsOnFire]

11:42 PM on 03/17/2011

It's funny, when I think back to those Batman movies, it was his perfromance I remember most.

Brilliant casting of this marvelous actor. He will be missed, but always remembered.

[JDM73]

11:39 PM on 03/17/2011

Rest easy, Mr. Gough. I loved you as the abstract painter who takes revenge on the arrogant, murderous art critic (Christopher Lee) in the 'Disembodied Hand' segment of "Dr. Terror's House of Horrors". (You read a mean version of T.S. Eliot's 'Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock', too.)

[e paw]

01:11 AM on 03/18/2011

Wha?? Thank you for that bit of information. Much indebted.

[JDM73]

02:00 AM on 03/18/2011

Happy to pass it on :) Actually, I prefer Michael Gough's reading to Eliot's own. He was also great as the tyrannical father in "Crucible of Horror".

[The-JuRK]

11:31 PM on 03/17/2011

He was also the body found inside "The Legend of Hell House," sitting upright in a chair and holding a drink.

[Tomlastliberalleft]

11:20 PM on 03/17/2011

Grough was one of the true great actors of his era. So many fine performances it is impossible to state them all here. For me I will always remember him as the Estonian expatriate Mikhel in the TV treatment of John Le Carre’ classic “Smiley’s People.”

[paerki]

11:15 PM on 03/17/2011

Thank you for the performances. I enjoyed!!!

[LMPE]

07:21 PM on 03/17/2011

Michael Gough was one cool actor.

One of his earliest roles was in "Horror of Dracula" opposite Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.

[tacevad]

06:45 PM on 03/17/2011

RIP Mr Gough and thank you for your fine perfomance in life.

[SteveSFM]

05:37 PM on 03/17/2011

As the Batman movies deteriorated, Mr. Gough stayed razor-sharp. He gave the role both humor and gravitas.

94 years. What a fine, long life. Rest in peace, sir.