Johnny Duncan, the actor best known as his role as Robin the Boy Wonder in the 1949 "Batman and Robin" serial film, has passed away, reported The Wrap. Duncan passed away at his home in Florida at 92 years old.
"Johnny really enjoyed life, loved his family and will be remembered as a loving husband and father," his family wrote in a statement.
Born John B. Duncan on Dec. 7, 1923 in Kansas City, Mo., Duncan learned how to tap dance and helped contribute to his family's expenses with money he earned from performances at a local bar. At 15 years old, he was discovered by a talent scout and the scout moved his whole family to Hollywood where he earned regular acting gigs.
His first role was an uncredited part in the 1939 film "The Arizona Wildcat," according to IMDB. When he was 26 years old, he landed his role as Robin in the "Batman and Robin" 15-chapter serial and starred opposite of actor Robert Lowery's "Batman."
Duncan recalled his audition for his role as the Boy Wonder in a 2005 interview with film review website Groucho Reviews. He explained that show creator Bob Kane had originally hoped to cast a 16-year-old in the role of Robin, but wasn't happy with the selection of teenage actors. That's when show producer Sam Katzman arranged for Duncan to audition, even though he was 26 at the time.
"Sam called me and he says, 'Hey, John, you know, wear some jeans or somethin' and a sweater and look as young as you can and, for god sakes, don't comb your hair or nothin', you know. Just come on over,'" Duncan told Groucho Reviews at the time. "So I did. And so when I walked in the door, before I was even introduced, Kane says, 'Hey, that's Robin.' So that's how I got the part."
