Alan Napier facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alan Napier
Napier in 1949
Born	Alan William Napier-Clavering (1903-01-07)7 January 1903 King's Norton, Birmingham, England
Died	8 August 1988(1988-08-08) (aged 85) Santa Monica, California, US
Resting place	Cremated; ashes scattered in the garden of his home in Pacific Palisades, California
Education	Clifton College
Alma mater	Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Years active	1920s–1981
Spouse(s)	Emily Nancy Bevill Pethybridge ​ ​ (m. 1930; div. 1944)​ Aileen Dickens Hawksley ​ ​ (m. 1944; died 1961)​

Alan William Napier-Clavering (born January 7, 1903 – died August 8, 1988), known as Alan Napier, was an English actor. He became famous for playing Alfred Pennyworth, who was Bruce Wayne's loyal butler, in the 1960s live-action Batman TV show. Before becoming a TV star, Napier had a long career in theater in London and in movies in Hollywood.

Who Was Alan Napier?

Alan Napier was born in King's Norton, England. He was a relative of Neville Chamberlain, who was Britain's Prime Minister from 1937 to 1940. Napier went to Packwood Haugh School and Clifton College. After that, he studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1925.

Early Acting Days

Napier started his acting career with the Oxford Players. He worked with famous actors like John Gielgud and Robert Morley. Napier was very tall, about 6 feet 6 inches. This height helped him get roles, but it also almost made him lose a job! His boss, J. B. Fagan, hired him while Napier was sitting down. When Napier stood up, Fagan realized he was even taller than the person he had just fired for being too tall. But Fagan kept his promise and Napier got the job.

Napier acted on the famous West End stage in London for ten years, from 1929 to 1939. He especially loved the plays of George Bernard Shaw. In 1937, he even appeared in a play called Heartbreak House, which Shaw himself helped to put on.

Moving to Hollywood

Napier first acted in British films in the 1930s. But he didn't become well-known in movies until he moved to Hollywood, USA, in 1941. In Hollywood, he became friends with other British actors and directors.

He appeared in many movies, often playing serious or mysterious characters. Some of his films include:

• Random Harvest (1942)
• Cat People (1942)
• The Uninvited (1944)
• The Song of Bernadette (1943), where he played a doctor.
• Joan of Arc (1948), where he played the Earl of Warwick.

He also acted in two movies based on plays by William Shakespeare:

• Macbeth (1948)
• Julius Caesar (1953), where he played Cicero.

Later, he appeared in the famous director Alfred Hitchcock's movie Marnie (1964).

TV Appearances Before Batman

In 1949, Napier played Sherlock Holmes in a TV show called Your Show Time. In the 1950s, he was a guest star on four episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. He also appeared in a western TV series called Tales of Wells Fargo. From 1962 to 1963, he had a regular role as General Steele in the comedy show Don't Call Me Charlie!

Playing Alfred in Batman

In 1965, Alan Napier was the very first actor chosen for the Batman TV series. He was cast as Alfred, Bruce Wayne's loyal butler. He played this role for the entire series, from 1966 until it ended in 1968. His calm and proper portrayal of Alfred made him a beloved character.

Interestingly, the character of the Joker in the 1989 Batman movie, played by Jack Nicholson, was named Jack Napier to honor Alan Napier.

Later Career and Life

Napier continued acting into the 1980s. He appeared in TV mini-series like QB VII, The Bastard, and Centennial. He also acted in the drama series The Paper Chase. He retired from acting in 1981 when he was 78 years old.

In early 1988, Napier joined a reunion of the Batman cast on a TV talk show called The Late Show. Even though he was in a wheelchair, he was happy to see his co-stars.

Family Life

Alan Napier was married twice. His second wife, Aileen Dickens Hawksley, was a great-granddaughter of the famous writer Charles Dickens. Aileen's daughter from a previous marriage, Jennifer Raine, was the mother of former child actor Brian Forster. Brian Forster was known for playing "Chris Partridge" in the 1970s TV show The Partridge Family.

His Death

Alan Napier had a stroke in 1987. He was hospitalized in June 1988 and passed away from natural causes on August 8, 1988. He was 85 years old.

Autobiography

In the early 1970s, Alan Napier wrote a three-part book about his life. It wasn't published then, but in 2015, it was finally released as Not Just Batman's Butler. The book includes Napier's original writings, with extra notes and updates by James Bigwood.

Selected Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

• Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) episode "Into Thin Air" as Geoffrey Toone
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1957) episode "I Killed the Count" as Lord Sorrington
• Don't Call Me Charlie! (1962–1963 TV series), recurring role as General Steele
• Twilight Zone (1963) episode "Passage on the Lady Anne" as Capt. Protheroe
• Daniel Boone (1964 TV series) (1965) S1/E26-27 "Cain's Birthday" (Parts 1 & 2) as Col. Sir Hubert Crater
• Daniel Boone (1964 TV series) (1965) S2/E13 "The Perilous Journey" as Lord Brisbane
• Batman (1966-1968) as Alfred Pennyworth
• The Beverly Hillbillies (1967) episode "The Clampetts In London" as Chemist
• Ironside (1970, 1973, 1974)
• QB VII (1974 miniseries) as Semple
• The Bastard (1978 miniseries) as Dr. Bleeker
• Centennial (1979 miniseries) as Lord Venneford