Penguin (character) rebuild. The Penguin is in the 1960s "Batman" television series, in which he was portrayed by Burgess Meredith. Spencer Tracy was offered the role but he said he would only accept the role if he was allowed to kill Batman. Meredith's performance is perhaps best remembered for his signature laugh, meant to mimic the squawk of a penguin. (One cause of the laugh was the cigarettes the character always smoked, which irritated Meredith's throat as he was a non-smoker.) His thugs wear black bowler hats and dark clothing adorned with names of various animals of prey, such as birds ("Hawk")
Burgess Meredith 95-year-old father in "Grumpy Old Men" (1993) and its sequel, "Grumpier Old Men" (1995). Meredith directed the movie "The Man on the Eiffel Tower" (1949) starring Charles Laughton, which was produced by Irving Allen. Meredith also was billed in a supporting role in this film. In 1970, he directed (as well as co-wrote and played a supporting role in) "The Yin and the Yang of Mr. Go", an espionage caper starring James Mason and Jeff Bridges. Meredith appeared in four different starring roles in the anthology TV series "The Twilight Zone", tying him with Jack Klugman for the most appearances