Batman: All 9 Riddler actors ranked from worst to best

9. John Astin

When Frank Gorshin’s request for a pay rise following the successful first season of the 1966 TV series Batman was denied, he didn’t immediately return for the second and, as a result, he was temporarily replaced by John Astin.

Astin had a lot to live up to when he took on the role. After all, Gorshin’s Riddler was Batman‘s very first villain, and he made more appearances in the first season than any of the Caped Crusader’s other rogues. That didn’t, however, stop him from delivering an enigmatic performance.

What made his different from Gorshin’s (aside from the noticeable mustache) was the way in which he portrayed the character. While his predecessor relied on his larger-than-life comedic performance, he used the larger-than-life dialogue to give viewers a more unhinged iteration of The Riddler, belting out his lines while using his arms to add extra emphasis. And then, of course, he was able to terrify his henchmen with a single glare.

Astin’s Riddler may not be quite as memorable as the original, but that’s only because Gorshin’s performance was so show-stealing. However, he wasn’t afraid to make the role his own – giving us a new, unique interpretation of the legendary character.