R.I.P. Diane McBain, Pinky Pinkston from Batman, costar in Elvis movie ''Spinout''

McBain was signed to her first contract in the television industry as a teenager.

Diane McBain found the bright lights of show business at the age of 18 and didn't look back. 

McBain passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022 after a battle with liver cancer according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

She was best known for her lavish roles on screen, primarily in Surfside 6 as yacht owner Daphne Dutton, author Diana St. Clair in Elvis' Spinout and as the socialite owner of the Pink Chip Stamp Factory in Batman

Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1941, McBain moved west with her family, landing in Glendale, California in 1944. She was a model for television commercials and magazine ads. Eventually she caught the eye of a talent scout, and for her 18th birthday, was signed to a seven-year contract with Warner Bros. 

As a result, she made her onscreen premiere in a 1959 episode of Maverick titled "Passage to Fort Doom," while later appearing in "A Fellow's Brother." Her contract allowed her to star in Surfside 6 and appear on The Alaskans, Sugarfoot, Lawman and 77 Sunset Strip to name a few. 

Ice Storm (1960) was McBain's first film, followed by Parrish and Claudelle Inglish in 1961. She played the titular character in the latter. 

1966 was a big year for McBain, starting with her costar role alongside Elvis Presley in Spinout as author Diana St. Clair. She also made her first of four total appearances on Batman the same year, first as a shop assistant named Lisa in season one, followed by her memorable role as owner of the Pink Chip Stamp Factory, fittingly named Pinky Pinkston. 

The role, unsurprisingly, saw McBain in an all-pink getup including a pink wig and a small pink dog to tote around. She could been seen in a plot that also included Van Williams as The Green Hornet and Bruce Lee as Kato. 

She went on to appear in The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Love, American Style, Mannix, Mod Squad, Land of the Giants, Hawaii Five-O and Charlie's Angels on the small screen. She could also be seen on the soap operas General Hospital and Days of Our Lives

From the big screen to the small one, McBain leaves behind a career that will live on in classic films and television series for years to come. 

She was 81. 

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13 Comments

DethBiz 22 months ago
RIP Diane McBain. Will always remember being pleasantly surprised when she popped up in Puppet Master 5.
magnum 23 months ago
I was very saddened to hear my good friend Diane McBain had passed . I was in the movie stunt business for many years
She was a very cordial beautiful and warm lady. She will be sadly missed God Bless her family and friends. RIP. Daphne. Dutton
BenSobeleone 23 months ago
I remember seeing Diane McBain in a movie that was on an episode of MST3K. The movie was "Sidehackers" a.k.a. "Five the Hard Way" it was a 1969 biker movie starring Ross Hagen. Of course, I remember her as Pinky Pinkston in the episodes of Batman with visiting heroes The Green Hornet and Kato. My deepest condolences to Diane McBain's family and friends. RIP Diane McBain.
Pacificsun 23 months ago
A Season 3 (2 part episode) very ambitious MFU episode.
BrittReid 23 months ago
She was in The Wild Wild West in the first season that was filmed in black and white. I remember her in many cool 1960's shows. Great as Pinky and before that she was on Batman as Lisa, The Mad Hatter's girlfriend. R.I.P. Diane McBain. always a hottie.
Kaydee 23 months ago
I recall her in a few movies however, I can't remember the names of those movies. But I definitely remember her as Pinky Pinkston on Batman, my condolences to her family and friends. Her age was not noted but I'm hopeful she lived a full life. RIP
justjeff 23 months ago
No wisecracks here... just wondering... did the writers mean "Mod Squad' instead of " Mob Squad" or was there another show that I'm not familiar with?
MrsPhilHarris justjeff 23 months ago
I see Mod Squad in the article, but there is a show called Mob Squad.
justjeff MrsPhilHarris 23 months ago
Live and learn...
Runeshaper 23 months ago
R.I.P. Diane McBain. Sounds like she was a GREAT actress!
Peter_Falk_Fan 23 months ago
My goodness! MeTV just showed the "Batman" episode with Pinky Pinkston. She was a lovely, talented actress. I look forward to seeing her in a couple of "The Wild Wild West" episodes.

R.I.P. Diane McBain
LoveMETV22 23 months ago
R.I.P. Diane McBain. From her profile she seemed to enjoy a variety of roles from 1959-2001.
cperrynaples LoveMETV22 23 months ago
Well, that's sorta being generous! After all, one of her few starring roles was in The Mini-Skirt Mob, a cheesy biker film that would feel right at home on Sventoonie! Still, that Batman episode was fun because Roger C. Carmel was the villain Pinky worked for!
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