Spouse: James Lincoln Blake During World War II, she and her husband, James Lincoln Blake, worked in Utah on construction of the detonator for the atomic bomb and performed such jobs as testing equipment destined for the Manhattan Project. The couple received a citation for their work from the U.S. government.
Her character Aunt Harriet Cooper was added to the television series "Batman" partly so that there was someone else in the house to prevent the two heroes from spending all their time in their Batman and Robin costumes and partly because of nervousness behind the scenes about two young, unattached men like Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson (Batman and Robin) residing together unchaperoned.
In addition to her role as Aunt Harriet Cooper on "Batman" , Madge Blakes other well-known roles include her semi-regular role as Larry Mondellos mother on "Leave It to Beaver" and gushy gossip columnist Dora Bailey in Singin in the Rain (1952) .
At one point, the producers of "Batman" wanted to fire Madge Blake, for reasons best known to themselves. Adam West , with whom she had become friends, stood up for her and she kept her job. The next day, he found a freshly baked cake in his dressing room. To this day, West considers that one of the greatest compliments he has ever been paid.
Was one of the models for the fairies in Sleeping Beauty .
Her father, a Methodist circuit rider, discouraged her from taking up acting.
Studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse.
Parents are Albert and Alice Cummings.
Following her death, she was interred with her mother Alice Cummings at Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.
Contrary to popular belief her Batman character of Dick Graysons Aunt Harriet Cooper was not created for the TV Show. Aunt Harriet first appeared in Detective Comics #328 in June 1964. Two years before. Some details from the television series (her last name, her status as a widow) were added to the comic stories in Detective Comics #373.
Both Madge and her husband worked for the government and their job necessitated top secret clearance as they worked in Utah during construction of the detonator for the atomic bomb.
After her government career, and now a grandmother, at the age of 50, she pursued her first dream and enrolled at the Pasadena Playhouse and studied acting. A prolific twenty years of television and movie appearances followed.
During World War II, she joined millions of woman across the nation who filled the manpower shortage by working to help the war effort.
