Actress Yvonne Craig, known for playing the role of superheroine Batgirl in the 1960's television show "Batman," died Monday night at her home in Pacific Palisades, Calif.. She was 78-years-old, according to Time.
According to a statement on her website, Craig passed away from breast cancer that had spread to her liver. She had undergone chemotherapy treatment for two years. "In the end, her mind still wanted to fight but her body had given up," her family said in the statement.
Craig originated the role of the high-kicking crime fighter Batgirl in the third and final season of "Batman" in 1967, and performed all the stunts by herself on the show as she defeated the bad guys alongside Adam West and Burt Ward, who played the roles of Batman and Robin respectively, CNN reported.
Craig also starred opposite rock 'n' roll legend Elvis Presley in two films - "It Happened at the World's Fair" and "Kissin' Cousins" and the two also dated for a brief period.
The actress' other television credits include a guest-appearance on an episode of "Star Trek" as well as other hit TV programs, including "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Man From U.N.C.L.E."
Craig retired from her acting career to become a real estate agent before entering the prepaid phone card business. In 2000, she authored a book named "From Ballet to the Batcave and Beyond," an autobiography that covers her long and colorful career in Hollywood, according to BBC News.
She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Aldrich, her sister Meridel Carson and nephews Christopher and Todd Carson.
