Yvonne Craig, Who Played Batgirl In 1960s Television Series 'Batman,' Dead At 78

Yvonne Craig, the actress, who played the role of Batgirl in iconic TV show “Batman” in the 1960s, died Monday at her home in Pacific Palisades, California, at the age of 78. Craig was struggling with breast cancer for two years and died as the cancer metastasized to her liver.

Her family announced the death on her official website late Tuesday, adding that a private service, for which a date has not been decided yet, is being planned for the renowned actress.

“She had been in chemo almost continuously for the past two plus years since being diagnosed and that had weakened her immune system as well as her body. This didn’t dampen her sense of humor or her spirit, she intended to fight and win this battle. In the end, her mind still wanted to fight but her body had given up,” her family said in the statement.

"In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Angeles Clinic Foundation in California," the family added.

Craig began her career as the youngest member of the ballet company Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. She was discovered by the late film director John Ford’s son Patrick and was cast in the 1959 movie “The Young Land.” She also played the role of “Marta” in one of the episodes from the third season of “Star Trek,” CNN reported.

Before starring as Batgirl, Craig also appeared in two movies opposite Elvis Presley -- "It Happened at the World’s Fair" in 1963 and "Kissin’ Cousins" in 1964. She also dated Presley for a brief period, Us Weekly reported.

After movies, Craig pursued a career as a real estate broker for residential and commercial spaces and still held a licence, the statement from her family said. Craig is survived by her husband, Kenneth Aldrich, her sister Meridel Carson and her two nephews Christopher and Todd Carson.