Batgirl actress Yvonne Craig dies at the age of 78 after breast cancer battle

Passed away: Batgirl actress Yvonne Craig has died age 78
George De Sota/Liaison/Getty Images
Jennifer Ruby19 August 2015
The Weekender

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Actress Yvonne Craig has died at the age of 78 after battling breast cancer for two years.

The US star, who was best known for playing Batgirl in the 1960s Batman television series, passed away at her home in Pacific Palisades on Monday.

Her family have posted a statement confirming Craig’s death on her website, which reads:

Iconic role: Yvonne Craig as Batgirl in the 1966 Batman TV series
Rex

“Fight as she did; however, over the past two plus years, she still lost her battle with metastasized breast cancer that had gone to her liver.

“Her operation right before Christmas, removed portions of her liver and some tumors as well as her gallbladder (not infected but in the way) and honestly she never totally recovered from that and more malignancies showed up again much to our dismay.

Breakout part: Yyvonne Craig in Batman 
Rex

“She had been in chemo almost continuously for the past two plus years since being diagnosed and that had weakened her immune system as well as her body.

“This didn't dampen her sense of humour or her spirit, she intended to fight and win this battle. In the end, her mind still wanted to fight but her body had given up.”

In the statement, her family clarify why the star kept her cancer battle a secret from her fans.

It reads: “Yvonne was a very private person, so from the onset of her battle with cancer, she decided to share with immediate family and very close friends.

“She wanted to spend all of her energy concentrating on winning her battle. She was adamant about this and wanted to tell her story when she was cured and feeling better. We all respected that wish.”

Craig got into acting after being spotted while touring the country as a ballet dancer and cast in The Young Land.

She became a household name for originating the role of Batgirl in the 1966 TV series, starring alongside Adam West and Burt Ward.

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