our sTory
Introduction: Burt Ward
The Making of a Superhero – A Life of Intense Dedication
From an illustrious beginning as the world’s youngest professional ice skater at two years of age in his father’s traveling ice show
. . . . to becoming the world’s fastest reader while in high school reading 30,000 words per minute with 90% comprehension as tested by the American Medical Society of Beverly Hills
. . . . to an aspiring young actor at UCLA whose first acting interview landed him the role of Robin the Boy Wonder in the famed 1966 Batman television series that became the #1 rated TV Show in the world
. . . . to creating and operating the world’s largest giant breed dog rescue with his wife, Tracy, and during the last 30 years, they have saved more than 15,500 dogs and hundreds of cats finding each and every one a safe, loving, forever home
. . . . to creating a super premium Natural Non GMO pet food and a Special Feeding and Care program for dogs and cats with his wife, Tracy, that has precious pets living as long as 30 plus years with a wonderful quality of life
. . . . to receiving the Humanitarian Award from the United Nations along with his wife, Tracy, and receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the President of the United States
. . . . Burt Ward has dedicated his life to accomplishment and charity.
Biography: Burt Ward
From Caped Crusader to Canine Crusader to Cat and Kitten Crusader
Burt had all the makings of a true Boy Wonder: At the age of two, Burt was featured as the youngest professional ice skater in the world in "Strange As It Seems," a predecessor to the Ripley's "Believe It Or Not" and to "The Guinness Book Of World Records." As a teenager, Burt was an all-around athlete, strong in martial arts, wrestling, track, tennis and golf, and combined with a sharp intellect, played “first board” in chess for Beverly Hills High School, achieved placement in the top 3% in the U.S. in math and science tests at UCLA, and became the world’s fastest reader – Burt tested before the American Medical Society in Beverly Hills, California and was clocked at 30,000 words per minute with 90% comprehension (the average reader reads 240 words per minute with 40% comprehension). Burt was featured in an article entitled, “Will the Real Boy Wonder Please Stand Up” and subsequently appeared on the national television educational reading show “Read Right.”
With the help of his father, Bert Gervis, a prominent real estate broker in Beverly Hills, CA, Burt became one of the youngest real estate agents in California, and met producer, Saul David, who arranged for him to be represented by a Hollywood agent. Burt’s first interview was set up at 20thCentury Fox Studios, and a few weeks later, he was called back for a screen test with Adam West.
Little did aspiring young actor, Burt Ward, know that learning martial arts in addition to his mental and athletic prowess would change his life forever. Holder of a brown belt in karate at the time, Burt showed off his athletic ability for the producers by demonstrating some falls and tumbles, and even broke a one-inch thick pine board with his hand. Later, Burt attained his black belt from his instructor, All Korean champion, Young Ik Suh. Burt was friends with Bruce Lee and sparred with him privately and during the filming of Batman. A special piece of movie trivia is that Bruce Lee’s first filmed fight scene of his career was fighting Burt Ward. In October 2015, Burt was inducted into the International Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame.
Executive Producer, William Dozier, told Burt that he was chosen out of more than 1,100 other young actors trying out for the role of Robin because the producers believed that "If there really was a real 'Robin, The Boy Wonder,' Burt would be it." so they requested him to "just be yourself and be enthusiastic." As a result, all of the mannerisms you see Robin doing like punching his fist into his palm, jumping over the door in and out of the Batmobile, and all the other unique Robin traits of the character onscreen were created by Burt himself as his contribution to the legendary role of the Robin character. When he first met Burt, Executive Producer, William Dozier, commented to Burt that he was “kind of big for the part” and Burt promptly replied, “I promise you, sir, I won’t grow anymore.” Dozier laughed and told Burt that he would hold him to that promise. Dozier later stated in an interview when he knew he'd found his perfect Boy Wonder, "The boy, Burt Ward, had never done anything before and the moment he walked into this office I knew he was Robin because he had that 'Gee Whiz, Mr. Dozier' approach right off the bat that couldn't be duplicated!"
It wasn’t until six weeks after the screen test that Burt learned that he had won the coveted role of Robin, the Boy Wonder in the new “Batman” TV series for ABC-TV. He was everything they wanted. All he had to do was just be himself and be enthusiastic. On January 12, 1966 Batman aired nationally on ABC and instantly became a massive worldwide success! Biff, Bam, Boom! The ratings soared through the roof!
During the filming of Batman and for more than 50 years thereafter, Burt and Adam West remained close friends and made thousands of personal appearances together signing millions of autographs and were featured in hundreds of magazine articles, including the cover of Life magazine. Burt Ward and Adam West continued to do movies, TV shows and appearances, individually and together, until Adam's death in 2017.
In 1984, Burt was honored as Harvard University’s “Man of the Year” Award. At the event, Burt brought one of his original Robin costumes, even then valued at six figures. Some students came up to him dressed as security guards and told him they would keep the costume safe. Then, in the middle of Burt’s speech, one student stood up and asked, "When is a costume not a costume? When it's stolen." The lights dimmed and the students grabbed the costume and made off. After snapping photos with one another in the cape, they later called Ward and gave the costume back. The ringleader of the gang? Harvard Lampoon editor, Conan O'Brien.
Burt has also been submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records as the actor who has played "Robin, the Boy Wonder" the most onscreen and in all forms of media; including TV, Movies, Animated Features, TV Animated Series, Radio performances, and more.
In 1989, Burt met and fell in love with the lady of his dreams and future wife, Tracy Posner. Tracy was an immensely successful businesswoman and the daughter of billionaire industrialist and philanthropist, Victor Posner, a member of Forbes 400. Burt and Tracy found that they had so much in common – successful business careers, love of rescuing animals, and a devotion to making a better world for all people.
Burt and Tracy were married on July 15, 1990 and moved to Hermosa Beach, California where their daughter, Melody, was born in 1991. In 1994, Burt, Tracy and Melody moved to Norco, California, a horse community as well as a unique animal friendly city where residents are able to have farm animals and domesticated Zebras, Llamas, Ostriches, Emus, Camels, etc.
From “Caped Crusader” to “Canine Crusader” to “Cat and Kitten Crusader.”
During the first months in their new home, In 1994, Burt and Tracy rescued a Great Dane in distress. From this experience, they learned about dozens of other Great Danes dying in animal shelters because there was no rescue to save them. Both Burt and Tracy have a huge love for animals. That’s when they made a decision to create a rescue for Great Danes and other giant dog breeds.
In August of 1994, Burt and Tracy discovered that the Southern California lady rescuer of Great Danes had passed away and dozens of Great Danes were being sent to animal shelters and were being euthanized. They took decisive action to save the Great Danes all over Southern California. Within one month, their home was filled with adult Great Danes and dozens of Great Dane puppies that they rescued from animal shelters throughout Southern California.
Located 50 miles east of Los Angeles in Norco, CA, a unique animal friendly community, Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity created by Burt and Tracy. Gentle Giants has rescued and adopted more than 15,500 giant breed, medium breed, and small breed dogs, along with unique combinations and hundreds of cats, during their 23 years of operation from across the U.S. and even internationally. They train all of their dogs socially and behaviorally, and all of the dogs live communally together in their home. Gentle Giants has become the largest giant breed dog rescue in the world and rescues and finds homes for 45 different dog breeds, ranging from 2 lbs. to 300 lbs.
There is nothing more precious than life. Sadly, dogs and cats have much shorter lives than human beings. Pet parents love their dogs and cats and want to keep them with them as long as possible and have them live healthy and happy lives. Burt and Tracy have dedicated their lives to helping all beloved pets live longer and healthier, and they have succeeded in adding 5-15 years of life to dogs and cats by combining their Special Feeding and Care Program with their Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants Pet Food. Unfortunately, almost all pet foods contain genetically modified organisms and pesticides which were created to change the DNA inside the food that humans and animals eat to protect the food from being destroyed when pesticides are sprayed on crops to eliminate pests. Sadly, the altered DNA contains insecticides and pesticides and when combined with the additional pesticides sprayed on the plants to kill the pests, the food absorbs the cancer causing pesticides and creates cancer in the dogs and cats that eat the food.
Prominent veterinarians state that 20 or more years ago they would see only 1 or 2 pet patients per month that had cancer. They say that now, however, in today’s world, every single day, 1 out of every 2 dogs and cats they see already have cancer. This a horrible tragic situation. Burt and Tracy have successfully contributed to solving that problem for most dogs and cats.
Dogs eating Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants Dog and Puppy Food and following Gentle Giants Special Feeding and Care Program are living as long as 30 healthy, active years with a wonderful quality of life. Cats are living longer and healthier with Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants Cat and Kitten Food.
Burt and Tracy’s manufacturing company, Gentle Giants Products, produces Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants World Class Canine Nutrition Dog and Puppy Food and Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants Cat and Kitten Food. Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants World Class Canine Nutrition Dog and Puppy Food is a dry food that features special recipes of Farm Raised Chicken, Real Beef and Real Bacon, and Wild Caught Salmon, is sold in thousands of stores across the U.S., including Petco nationally, Target nationally, H-E-B grocery stores in Texas, Food City grocery stores in Kentucky, Virginia, Alabama and Tennessee, Stater Bros. Markets, Ralphs grocery stores and Gelson’s Supermarkets in Southern California, and Save Mart and Lucky grocery stores in Northern California. Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants World Class Canine Nutrition Dog and Puppy Food is also sold in hundreds of Walmart Supercenters in Canada. Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants Cat and Kitten Food is also being distributed into retail stores nationally.
Online, Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants World Class Canine Nutrition Dog and Puppy Food andNatural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants Cat and Kitten Food are also sold nationally through mail order on Petco.com, Chewy.com, TractorSupply.com, Target.com, Petsmart.com and Amazon.com.
Gentle Giants also has a spectacular new line of canned dog food and cat food, with 90% Beef, 90% Chicken, 90% Turkey, 90% Salmon and 90% Tuna. Each entrée has eight (8) fruits and vegetables, all Natural Non GMO Ingredients that do not contain genetically modified organisms. Gentle Giants Products is also developing an entire line of Natural Non GMO Ingredients treats for dogs and cats.
In 2016, Burt Ward's and Adam West's new animated feature film, "Batman: Return Of The Caped Crusaders" was released in theaters as well as on Blu-Ray and DVD, and was reviewed and acknowledged to be the best Animated Superhero Movie of the year for 2016.
The 2017 release of the sequel to "Batman: Return of The Caped Crusaders" entitled "Batman vs Two-Face" again had Burt Ward and Adam West starring and working together, but this time, they were joined by William Shatner portraying the insidious villain, Two-Face, which has been received with tremendous reviews, and was the Best Animated Superhero Movie of 2017! "Batman vs Two-Face" joins the actors of the two most iconic TV series in television history: "Batman" and "Star Trek," working together in a thrilling, non-stop action feature that is fabulous for "Kids of All Ages." Included on the "Batman vs Two-Face" Blu-Ray and DVD is a very special 15 minute surprise bonus tribute to Burt from Warner Bros. entitled "The Wonderful World of Burt Ward " showing the special friendship that Burt and Adam West shared through the years of working together, and also documenting Burt and Tracy's dedication to helping dogs live longer, healthier, happier lives and the development of the unique "Gentle Giants Special Feeding and Care Program" and Natural Non GMO Ingredients Gentle Giants World Class Canine Nutrition Dog and Puppy Food. Tracy Ward accompanies Burt at many of his appearances and dresses as "Robin's Girl" and wears her "Robin's Girl" costume.
Holy Hot Dog, Batman! Burt 'Robin' Ward was honored with his own Superhero Hot Dog by Hollywood's Legendary Pink's. The World Famous Pink's Hotdog Restaurant created a special delicious 'Burt "Robin" Ward Hotdog' (designed by Burt) in Burt's honor and it remains a popular Batmenu choice.
Burt was the Grand Marshall of the Norco Christmas Parade accompanied by Tracy. Each year, Burt and Tracy Ward drive in the Batmobile in the famed Hollywood Christmas Parade to benefit Toys for Tots. Burt was also Grand Marshall for the Huntington Beach Parade, the largest July 4th parade in the nation.
Burt received his Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 9, 2020. Following the awards ceremony, Burt and Tracy held a huge celebration party at the world famous Hollywood Museum and created the First Annual Burt Ward Global Batusi for World Peace Day, Dance, and Contest. Separate simultaneous events, dances and contests were held in Times Square, Australia and many other locations nationally in the U.S. and internationally in many countries. People all over the world participated and sent videos from many countries with Batfans dancing the famous “Batusi.”
Promotion for the event was spread internationally through social media as well as television and radio interviews featuring Burt and Tracy. The promotion announced “Burt Ward, Robin, The Caped Crusader and The Canine Crusader is calling the whole world to action to dance together during The Global Batusi Dane For Peace. In a world gone crazy, let’s leave everyday worries and stresses behind as we join "Batman Doing The Batusi" and say "Holy Wow" with Burt Ward Robin The Boy Wonder.” Burt and Tracy called upon the whole world to unite and celebrate and dance the Batusi together in honor of and in tribute to all of the Heroes and Villains of Batman past and present and to help all precious pets live the longest, healthiest, happiest lives possible. Contest details were announced and some of the prizes were delivered by Batmobile, Batcycle, Batboat and/or Batcopter.
Burt and Tracy also worked with Donnelle Dadigan, philanthropist and owner of the Hollywood Museum to help in the creation of the history making Batman 66 Exhibit at the Hollywood Museum in Honor of Adam West and Burt Ward and all of the Heroes and Villains of Batman 66. To this day, this great history making exhibit is the first of its kind.
Burt and Tracy have formed 'Burt Ward's and Tracy Ward's Superheroes To The Rescue Inc. to empower everyone worldwide to realize that 'We Can All Be Superheroes When We Do Whatever We Can to Help Others' - to use our own special abilities and innate 'Super Powers' to help animals and anyone in need.
In 2020, Burt filmed a special appearance on the TV show, Supergirl, that was part of the 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' crossover that combined five popular superhero television series that included the five Arrow-verse television series - Arrow, The Flash, Batwoman, Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow.
Burt is currently doing media interviews and 'Virtual Appearances' and will be meeting fans all over the world virtually. He made a virtual appearance at Adam West Day in Walla Walla, WA which was a huge success and loved by all attendees.