Cesar Romero, Latino Superstar

Born of Cuban parents in New York City, Cesar Romero started out as a ballroom dancer before he appeared in the 1927 production of 'Lady Do' on Broadway. His screen debut was in 'The Shadow Laughs' in 1933, and he played various Latin hoods and gigolos in movies such as 'The Thin Man' in 1934 and 'Hold 'Em Yale' the following year. After playing sidekick in 'Return of the Cisco Kid' in 1939, ;he took over the lead role of the Mexican cowboy hero in a series beginning with 'The Cisco Kid and the Lady' in 1939 and was a suavely sinister magician in 'Charlie Chan at Treasure Island' in the same year.

In the 1940's he was more often found in Twentieth Century Fox A-features, polished up as a Latin lover, occasional dancer, and all-round charmer in films such as 'Dance Hall' in 1941 and 'Week-End in Havana', in the same year.

Romero performed well in a rare heavyweight role as the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes in the Tyrone Power vehicle 'Captain from Castile' in 1947, but slipped back to supporting actor in the comedy 'Julia Misbehaves' in 1948, although he put in good work. In 1953 he starred in the 39-part espionage TV series 'Passport to Danger'. Aa regular TV guest star, he appeared in series such as '77 Sunset Strip' in 1963. But his late career signature role was as The Joker in the TV series 'Batman' from 1966-1968. He refused to shave off his beloved trademark moustache for the part and instead had makeup slathered on top of it. He reprised the cackling clown prince of crime in the 1966 novie, and then turned up as a white-haired buffoon villain in Disney comedies such as 'The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes' in 1969, and as Jane Wyman's mature swain on the TV soap opera 'Falcon Crest' between 1981 and 1990.

Despite his screen image as the Latin Romeo, Cesar Romero never married, and was homosexual. He died in 1994.