Bert John Gervis Jr. "Burt Ward"
On July 6, 1945, Bert John Gervis, Jr was born to parents Bert and Marjorie Ward in Los Angeles,
California. Bert John Gervis, Sr. was the owner of a traveling ice show called "Rhapsody On Ice". The
professional ice skater featured in, Strange As It Seems. A forerunner to the Guinness Book of Records.
Burt's family settled in Beverly Hills, CA where his father then sold Real Estate. Two more children were
added to the Gervis family, a brother, Gavin, and a sister, Gigi.
Growing up, Burt enjoyed reading Superman and Superboy comic books. He also watched Superman on TV
and could be found happily riding his tricycle with a red towel tied around his neck. He was very athletic.
At age 15, he started studying Karate. While in high school he participated in track and field, wrestling,
and golf. He was also a chess champion and played first board on the Beverly Hills High School chess team.
Learning to speed read, Burt was tested before the American Medical Society in Beverly Hills. His highest
speed: 30,000 words per minute with 90% comprehension. He was featured in an article entitled, “Will
The Real Boy Wonder Please Stand Up?” and appeared on the national reading show, Read Right.
In the Fall of 1963, Burt attended the University of California, Santa Barbara. But transferred the following
semester to UCLA as a motion picture and theater major. He also got his real estate license. Acting was
what he wanted to do but the Real Estate license helped to earn some extra money.
It was’t until 6 weeks after the screen test that Burt learned that he had won the role of Robin. He was
everything they wanted. All he had to do was just be himself. Burt didn't particularly like the name Gervis,
and as an actor, he wanted a name that others could remember. So he chose "Burt" because he thought
it looked better and "Ward" because it was his mother's maiden name.
He met with the casting director who then introduced him to Executive Producer William Dozier. Dozier
made a comment about Burt's size, the new Boy Wonder replied “I promise you sir, I won’t grow anymore.”
Mr. Dozier laughed and told Bert that he would hold him to that.
When asked to give a speech at Harvard about his role on "Batman" (1966/II), he brought the original
costume, said to be valued at half a million dollars. Some students came up to him dressed as security
guards and told him they would keep the costume safe. Then in the middle of the speech, one student
stood up and asked, "When is a costume not a costume? When it's stolen." The lights dimmed and the
students grabbed the costume and made off. After snapping pictures with one another in the cape, they
later called Ward and gave the costume back. The ringleader of the gang? Harvard Lampoon editor,
Conan O'Brien.
In 1994, Tracy adopted a Great Dane from their local animal shelter. From this she learned that some 35
other Great Danes also needed homes. When she called two weeks later to see what had happened to
the others, she was horrified to hear that they had all been destroyed. Both Burt and Tracy have a huge
love for animals. A decision was made and the Great Dane Rescue was created.
Burt Ward the Actor
Burt Ward - Visual Effects, Filmography
Burt Ward "Himself", Filmography
Burt Ward, Archive Footage
Burt Ward, Notable TV Guest Appearances
On July 6, 1945, Bert John Gervis, Jr was born to parents Bert and Marjorie Ward in Los Angeles,
California. Bert John Gervis, Sr. was the owner of a traveling ice show called "Rhapsody On Ice". The
professional ice skater featured in, Strange As It Seems. A forerunner to the Guinness Book of Records.
Burt's family settled in Beverly Hills, CA where his father then sold Real Estate. Two more children were
added to the Gervis family, a brother, Gavin, and a sister, Gigi.
Growing up, Burt enjoyed reading Superman and Superboy comic books. He also watched Superman on TV
and could be found happily riding his tricycle with a red towel tied around his neck. He was very athletic.
At age 15, he started studying Karate. While in high school he participated in track and field, wrestling,
and golf. He was also a chess champion and played first board on the Beverly Hills High School chess team.
Learning to speed read, Burt was tested before the American Medical Society in Beverly Hills. His highest
speed: 30,000 words per minute with 90% comprehension. He was featured in an article entitled, “Will
The Real Boy Wonder Please Stand Up?” and appeared on the national reading show, Read Right.
In the Fall of 1963, Burt attended the University of California, Santa Barbara. But transferred the following
semester to UCLA as a motion picture and theater major. He also got his real estate license. Acting was
what he wanted to do but the Real Estate license helped to earn some extra money.
It was’t until 6 weeks after the screen test that Burt learned that he had won the role of Robin. He was
everything they wanted. All he had to do was just be himself. Burt didn't particularly like the name Gervis,
and as an actor, he wanted a name that others could remember. So he chose "Burt" because he thought
it looked better and "Ward" because it was his mother's maiden name.
He met with the casting director who then introduced him to Executive Producer William Dozier. Dozier
made a comment about Burt's size, the new Boy Wonder replied “I promise you sir, I won’t grow anymore.”
Mr. Dozier laughed and told Bert that he would hold him to that.
When asked to give a speech at Harvard about his role on "Batman" (1966/II), he brought the original
costume, said to be valued at half a million dollars. Some students came up to him dressed as security
guards and told him they would keep the costume safe. Then in the middle of the speech, one student
stood up and asked, "When is a costume not a costume? When it's stolen." The lights dimmed and the
students grabbed the costume and made off. After snapping pictures with one another in the cape, they
later called Ward and gave the costume back. The ringleader of the gang? Harvard Lampoon editor,
Conan O'Brien.
In 1994, Tracy adopted a Great Dane from their local animal shelter. From this she learned that some 35
other Great Danes also needed homes. When she called two weeks later to see what had happened to
the others, she was horrified to hear that they had all been destroyed. Both Burt and Tracy have a huge
love for animals. A decision was made and the Great Dane Rescue was created.
Burt Ward the Actor
- From Heaven to Hell (2002)
- Pacino Is Missing (2002) .... Guard
- Moving Targets (1998) .... O'Malley
- Alien Force (1996) (V) .... Omnipresent Praxima
- Assault of the Party Nerds 2: The Heavy Petting Detective (1995) .... Randolph
- ... aka Assault of the Party Nerds 2: The Class Reunion (USA)
... aka Assault of the Party Nerds II (USA: short title)
... aka Bachelor Jamboree (UK: video title)
- Karate Raider (1995)
- Beach Babes from Beyond (1993) .... Mr. Bun
- The Girl I Want (1993)
- Smoothtalker (1992) .... Lab Technician
- Hot Under the Collar (1991) .... The Pope
- Virgin High (1991) .... Dick Murphy
- Kill Crazy (1990) (V) .... Michael
- Robot Ninja (1990) .... Stanley Kane
- Cyber-C.H.I.C. (1989)
- ... aka Robo-Chic
- The Underachievers (1987) .... Bowmont
- ... aka Night School
- Fire In the Night (1986) .... Paul
- Legends of the Superheroes (1979) (TV) .... Robin
- "Tarzan and the Super 7" (1978) TV Series .... Robin (Dick Grayson)
- "The New Adventures of Batman" (1977) TV Series (voice) .... Robin (Dick Grayson) (1977-1978)
- ... aka The Batman/Tarzan Adventure Hour (USA: rerun title)
- Batgirl (1967) (TV) .... Dick Grayson (Robin)
- Batman (1966/I) .... Dick Grayson (Robin)
- ... aka Batman: The Movie (USA: video box title)
- "Batman" (1966/II) TV Series .... Dick Grayson/Robin
Burt Ward - Visual Effects, Filmography
- Bulletproof Monk (2003) (visual effects producer: Boy Wonder VFX)
- Vampires: Los Muertos (2002) (compositor)
- ... aka John Carpenter's Vampires: Los Muertos (USA: complete title)
Burt Ward "Himself", Filmography
- VH-1 Where Are They Now: Superheros (2003) (TV) .... Himself
- Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt (2003) (TV) .... Himself
- Desperation Boulevard (1998) .... Himself
- Holy Batmania (1989) (V) .... Himself/Robin
Burt Ward, Archive Footage
- De Superman à Spider-Man: L'aventure des super-héros (2002) (V) .... Robin
- Liberace: Too Much of a Good Thing Is Wonderful (2000) (TV)
- Hollywood Screen Tests: Take 1 (1999) (TV) (uncredited) .... Himself
Burt Ward, Notable TV Guest Appearances
- "Biography" playing "Himself" in episode: "Catwoman" July 2004
- "The Simpsons" playing "Himself" (voice) in episode: "Large Marge" (episode # 14.4) 24 November
2002 - "Biography" playing "Himself" in episode: "Adam West: Behind the Cowl" 4 September 2000
- "Donny & Marie" playing "Himself" 3 August 1999
- "Clueless" playing "Himself" in episode: "Mercy Date" (episode # 3.11) 26 January 1999
- "Homeboys in Outer Space" playing "Gerbil" in episode: "The Adventures of Ratman and Gerbil or,
Holy "Homeboys in Outer Space" (episode # 1.21) 13 May 1997 - "Living Single" playing "Himself" in episode: "Mommy Not Dearest" (episode # 3.11) 16 November
1995 - "SpongeBob" playing "Barnacle Boy" in episode: "Back to the Past" 15 February 2010
Sadly, in 1968 Batman was cancelled. Acting jobs
were hard to find so Burt continued doing
personal appearances as Robin. Along with the
appearances and many other acting jobs came
different business ventures. Some of these
included merchandising of different celebrities,
Henry Winkler of Happy Days fame being one
celebrity. Burt organized fan clubs overseeing
that all fan mail was answered. He also launched
a fundraising business to help schools and
hospitals raise money.
During the late 1980’s, Burt created an early
education program for children aged 3-8 that
taught social values, good health and safety
rules, and critical thinking skills. It was called the
Early Bird Learning Program. A panel of top
pediatricians were assembled to give advice and
assistance.
It was through this program that Burt met his
wife, Tracy Posner. They married on July 15,
1990. A year after they met, Melody Lane Ward
was born on February 6, 1991. Six months later
Burt’s oldest daughter Lisa made him a
grandfather. What's This? Our Robin a
Grandfather, who would have thought?
were hard to find so Burt continued doing
personal appearances as Robin. Along with the
appearances and many other acting jobs came
different business ventures. Some of these
included merchandising of different celebrities,
Henry Winkler of Happy Days fame being one
celebrity. Burt organized fan clubs overseeing
that all fan mail was answered. He also launched
a fundraising business to help schools and
hospitals raise money.
During the late 1980’s, Burt created an early
education program for children aged 3-8 that
taught social values, good health and safety
rules, and critical thinking skills. It was called the
Early Bird Learning Program. A panel of top
pediatricians were assembled to give advice and
assistance.
It was through this program that Burt met his
wife, Tracy Posner. They married on July 15,
1990. A year after they met, Melody Lane Ward
was born on February 6, 1991. Six months later
Burt’s oldest daughter Lisa made him a
grandfather. What's This? Our Robin a
Grandfather, who would have thought?
When he was 17, Burt met Bonney Lindsey, the daughter of musical conductor Mort
Lindsay. In the summer of 1963, Bonney’s father arranged for them to be theater
apprentices at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania. This was his
first experience working with actors. He also met fellow apprentice Rob Reiner. They
built sets, watched rehearsals, and assisted during performances.
Lindsay. In the summer of 1963, Bonney’s father arranged for them to be theater
apprentices at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania. This was his
first experience working with actors. He also met fellow apprentice Rob Reiner. They
built sets, watched rehearsals, and assisted during performances.
It was through his father that Burt met producer Saul David.
Mr. David sent him to see Jim Maloney of the John F. Dugan
Agency. It was shortly after Burt and Bonney were married
that he received a call from his new agent. An interview was
set up at 20th Century Fox Studios in West Los Angeles. A
few more weeks passed, he was then called back to do a
screen test with Adam West. Burt also showed off his athletic
ability for the producers by demonstrating Karate. By then he
was a brown belt. He did some falls and tumbles and even
broke a 1-inch pine board with his hand.
Mr. David sent him to see Jim Maloney of the John F. Dugan
Agency. It was shortly after Burt and Bonney were married
that he received a call from his new agent. An interview was
set up at 20th Century Fox Studios in West Los Angeles. A
few more weeks passed, he was then called back to do a
screen test with Adam West. Burt also showed off his athletic
ability for the producers by demonstrating Karate. By then he
was a brown belt. He did some falls and tumbles and even
broke a 1-inch pine board with his hand.
Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions rescues
primarily “Gentle Giant” dogs. They also have
a few “Little Giants” available. Finding safe,
loving homes is the top priority. Each dog is
The Ward family together house, feed, and
train these Gentle Giants. The Ward’s annual
vet bills can top over $100,000 a year not to
mention $200,000 a year spent on dog food.
To find out more about the Gentle Giants
Rescue and Adoption visit:
primarily “Gentle Giant” dogs. They also have
a few “Little Giants” available. Finding safe,
loving homes is the top priority. Each dog is
The Ward family together house, feed, and
train these Gentle Giants. The Ward’s annual
vet bills can top over $100,000 a year not to
mention $200,000 a year spent on dog food.
To find out more about the Gentle Giants
Rescue and Adoption visit:
Batman Was an Overnight Sensation!
The Ratings Soared!
They made personal appearances and appeared in
numerous magazine articles. Unfortunately, the
long hours of shooting made it difficult for Burt to
have time with his wife and baby daughter, Lisa.
Shortly after the beginning of the second season,
Burt and Bonney divorced.
The Ratings Soared!
They made personal appearances and appeared in
numerous magazine articles. Unfortunately, the
long hours of shooting made it difficult for Burt to
have time with his wife and baby daughter, Lisa.
Shortly after the beginning of the second season,
Burt and Bonney divorced.
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Burt Ward as "Barnacle Boy"