Bam! Wham! Pow! Those comic-book sound effects are forever linked with the 1960s Batman TV show, and one of the faces behind that pop-culture era was born right here in San Diego.
On Feb. 3, 1938, Victor Charles Buono was born in San Diego, decades before he would bring larger-than-life villainy and comic flair to screens nationwide.
Embed from Getty ImagesBuono’s breakthrough came in 1962 with What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, where he played musician Edwin Flagg opposite Bette Davis. That role earned him Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor — a rare achievement for a young character actor.
Television audiences soon came to know Buono as King Tut, the eccentric villain on the campy Batman series. This performance perfectly matched the show’s exaggerated, comic style and helped cement his place in pop-culture memory.
Embed from Getty ImagesThough often cast in supporting roles, including The Flying Nun with Sally Field and The Untouchables with Robert Stack, Buono worked steadily across film and television and was well regarded for his stage work and sharp wit.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe died at age 43 on January 1, 1982, of a heart attack, but remains best remembered for his unique screen presence and his memorable turn as one of Batman’s most iconic villains.
Buono’s Feb. 3 birthday now offers a fun Flashback reminder that San Diego’s history includes colorful contributors to American entertainment whose influence extended far beyond the city.
Sources
FamousBirthdays, Victor Buono – Birthplace, Birthday, and Career Overview
TV Insider, Victor Buono – Actor & Comedian Profile
IMDb, Victor Buono – Bio & Filmography
Classic Movie Hub, Victor Buono – Actor Profile
YouTube, Batman TV series (1966–1968) – King Tut scene featuring Victor Buono
YouTube, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) – Scene clip
