Cesar Romero: The Joker Is Wild
by Samuel Garza Bernstein
Published by University Press of Kentucky on August 26, 2025
Batman // Non-Fiction // Actor Bio
“I had a vision, of a world without Batman.
The mob ground out a little profit and the police tried to shut them down, one block at a time. And it was so…boring.”
~ The Joker (The Dark Knight)
A world without Batman would be so boring. Like most punk kids in the ‘80s I grew up watching Batman ‘66 as reruns. I guess it has it’s place; though with every passing year I find it embarrassing and I distance myself from it.
That it was the kindling that sparked a dark and violent ‘80s Batman (for decades!) in the comics and later in the movies: that I’m so grateful for. I can recognize that contribution.
However I don’t know much else about this slightly iconic TV show. As a kid it was shocking to see George Peppard talking to Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. But that’s Hannibal from A-Team!!
Similarly, who was César Julio Romero Jr. before the Joker? I know he was the first actor to play the Joker. But did he like being the Joker? Was it a pain to cover up his trademark mustache with makeup? Did he miss classic Hollywood?
I have questions which this biography can, hopefully answer.
Bookmark This: The book’s foreword is written by Batman producer Michael Uslan. An expert when it comes to casting Jokers.
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