Barbara Rush Batman Character explored as legendary actress dies aged 97

Barbara Rush, a well-respected American actress known for her role as Nora Clavicle in the 1960s Batman TV series, passed away on March 31. The sad news was confirmed by her daughter Claudia Cowan to Fox News Digital. Rush was 97 years old at the time of her death.

Claudia, who holds a senior position as a correspondent at the network, disclosed:

“My wonderful mother passed away peacefully at 5:28 this evening. I was with her this morning and know she was waiting for me to return home safely to transition.

“It’s fitting she chose to leave on Easter as it was one of her favorite holidays and now, of course, Easter will have a deeper significance for me and my family.”

In ABC’s Batman (1966-1968), Barbara Rush played the role of a villainous character. Her appearance took place during the third season, in Episode 19 titled “Nora Clavicle and the Ladies’ Crime Club,”which was aired on January 18, 1968.

Miss Clavicle assumed the identity of a women’s rights advocate and used her charm to convince Mayor Linseed’s wife to persuade the mayor to replace Commissioner Gordon with her. She subsequently dismissed O’Hara from his position as Police Chief and appointed Mrs. Linseed in his place.

Miss Clavicle proceeded to replace the entire department with untrained women, resulting in a shift towards an emphasis on new recipes and sales rather than apprehending criminals among the new policewomen.

As time passed, Batman, Batgirl and Robin grew wary. In order to prevent them from disrupting Nora Clavicle’s plan, the villainess instructed her henchmen to attack a bank as a way to lure the trio into a trap.

Despite her efforts, her plan to destroy Gotham City and collect a $10 million insurance claim was foiled when Batman managed to capture her and her henchwomen.

The trio of superheroes managed to overcome their opponents by utilizing the deadly Siamese human knots technique, which had initially ensnared them thanks to Miss Clavicles, played by Barbara Rush.

The Successful Hollywood Career of Barbara Rush

Over the course of seven decades, the iconic movie star established a remarkable career in the entertainment business.

Barbara Rush co-starred with numerous Hollywood heavyweights, such as Marlon Brando, Richard Burton, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Paul Newman, and Rock Hudson.

Barbara’s acting career took off in 1950 when she was discovered by a talent scout at the Pasadena Playhouse and subsequently signed to Paramount Pictures. She made her debut as Debby Sherman in The Goldbergs, a film adaptation of Gertrude Berg’s popular television sitcom, also titled The Goldbergs.

In 1953, Barbara Rush was awarded the Golden Globe for her role as Ellen Fields in the Sci-fi film It Came From Outer Space, recognizing her as a newcomer actress.

Barbara was renowned for her portrayal of Joan Dickenson, an heiress who starred alongside Paul Newman’s Anthony Judson in the 1959 romance drama The Young Philadelphians. She later reunited with Newman in the 1967 blockbuster Hombre.

During an interview with Fox News Digital, Barbara Rush shared an anecdote about the beginning of her friendship with Marilyn Monroe.

“Oh yes, we were friends, we were in the studio club together. At least with me, when you first come to Hollywood, and I went to Paramount, they put me immediately in the studio club.

“It’s kind of like a sorority house. And Marilyn Monroe was there. I loved her. Marilyn was such a darling lady. She was very sweet and nice. All the girls in the studio club just had a good time.”

Barbara Rush previously discussed the unforeseen impact that the Batman series had on society.

Expressing her exhaustion with Hollywood films, the actress revealed that she opted for a change by turning to TV. During an interview with Fox News Digital, she discussed her experience playing an antagonistic role in Batman.

“When you’re an actress, you don’t think about things like that.You just think, ‘I have a job!’ You just don’t project what your future is going to be. And [Nora Clavicle] was just so funny. I just love comedy and she was very light-hearted. She was a kick.”

Following her role as Batman, the actress continued her career by portraying Marsha Russell in Peyton Place, a popular soap opera that aired from 1968 to 1969. In her last television appearance in 2007, Barbara Rush guest starred as Grandma Ruth Camden on the enduring teen series 7th Heaven.

In 2017, she appeared in the short film Bleeding Hearts: The Arteries of Glenda Bryant, where she co-starred with her niece Carolyn Hennesy. This was her most recent role in a film.