Batgirl Actress Yvonne Craig Dies Aged 78.

Yvonne Craig, the actress who played the first Batgirl, has died at her home in California.

The 78-year-old, who starred alongside Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, had suffered from cancer for the past two years.

A statement issued by her family said the illness "didn't dampen her sense of humour or her spirit, she intended to fight and win. ... In the end, her mind still wanted to fight but her body had given up".

Craig originally trained as a dancer and was the youngest member of The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, with whom she toured for three years.

Her acting break came when she was discovered by John Ford's son, Patrick, and cast in the lead role of The Young Land.

She went on to work in TV and films, including two films with Elvis Presley, but it was for her role as Batgirl in 1966 that she is likely to be best remembered.

Sky News.
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