Victor Buono - King Tut

 

"Being on Batman allowed me to do something we actors are taught never to do: overact."

Victor Charles Buono was born in San Diego, California on February 3, 1938.  He was named after his father, a former police officer and bail bondsmen who himself went to prison for murder and armed robbery (see Trivia below).

As a teenager, Buono began appearing on local television and radio stations in America's Finest City before joining the Globe Theater Players.  This further enhanced his appreciation for Shakespeare, appearing in such adaptations as A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Buono was discovered by a Warner Brothers talent scout in 1959, who invited the heavyset actor to Hollywood for a screen test.  This led to early television roles on such series as 77 Sunset Strip and The Untouchables.  In 1962, he made his feature film debut in the Bette Davis and Joan Crawford classic, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane.  The role would win Buono an Academy Award nomination.

In 1966, Buono was cast in the role for which he is most famously associated, that of King Tut on the Adam West Batman TV series.  Tut was an original villain created for the series, who was later reimagined and rebranded for DC Comics.  Buono proved so popular in the role that producer William Dozier later cast him as the lead villain in his TV pilot Dick Tracy, which unfortunately never sold (see Trivia below).

Victor Buono died of a heart attack on New Years Day, 1982.  He was only 43 years old.  He was entombed with his mother Myrtle, who died in 1979.  They are laid to rest at Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego.  Victor's name does not appear on the crypt.

Location: Lily Lake Crypt 1, Tier A

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• Although given a life sentence for murder, Buono Sr. was released after only seven years (it is California, after all).  He'd ultimately return to prison however, on a new charge of bird smuggling (yes, really).  While in the joint, he continued serving as his son's business manager (you can't make this stuff up).  
  
  
• As mentioned above, William Dozier's Dick Tracy pilot failed to sell the series to a network, but you can watch it for free on YouTube.  Special bonus: Eve Plumb!
  
  
• In 1972, Buono released a book of salty poetry called It Could Be Verse.  Pick up a copy here.
  
  
• Buono was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, back when late-night TV was actually funny.  Here's one such appearance from 1975.
  
  
• Buono also released a series of self-deprecating comedy albums, including 1971's Heavy.  You can hear it in its entirety on YouTube or pick up a copy on Amazon.
  
  
• Exactly twelve years after Buono's death, fellow Batman villain Cesar Romero, aka The Joker, died on January 1, 1994.