Ian Abercrombie, who Batman fans will remember as Alfred from the short lived "Birds of Prey" Television series passed away on January 27th, 2012 at the age of 77.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Abercrombie was busy working during the final days of his life. He had reportedly just finished lending his voice to the animated Cartoon Network series, "Green Lantern."

Though Abercrombie did venture into movies, the majority of his career was played out in living rooms across the nation, on TV. Abercrombie earned roles in a breadth of TV genres including parts in "Columbo" (1972), "Who's The Boss" (1985), "Dynasty" (1984-1988), "Birds Of Prey" (2002-2003) and "Desperate Housewives" (2006).

Below you will find an interview that we conducted with Mr. Abercrombie in 2004. Rest in Peace, you will be missed.

BYTB: How much research did you do for the role of Alfred?

I.A.: Very little research for Alfred. I had a rough idea what they wanted and after our first meeting everything seemed to fall into place. I did not purposefully copy Alan and Michael, I wanted to bring an essence of my own to the character.

BYTB: Birds of Prey was a good show that could have been great. Do you feel that although the WB ordered the first 13 episodes, that they were against it from the get go?

I.A.: Actually, I was under the impression when we first started that WB was really behind us. Through the grapevine I heard that Levin and Roth were very high on BOP. Somewhere between the Pilot (and the rehoot of same) to about the second episode (SLICK) the budget went skyhigh. I think that WB thought that the series would cost less. Some of it became a bit cheesy. The 13 episodes were ordered on the expectations that BOP would have been a big hit for WB.

BYTB: Fan reaction was mixed. Do you think that if given a full season, more people would have warmed up to it.

I.A.: Part of the fan reaction being so mixed was due I think to the Series not living up to the BATMAN mystique. We were not allowed to use any of the 'villians' as characters, and as you may well feel, a BATMAN story, no matter how diluted NEEDS some of the 'bad guys' to round out the stories, even though the series was about the girls (and their connection to BATMAN).

BYTB: One thing that fans wanted to see was more of the Bat-world, like Wayne Manor, the Batcave, the Bat-Family? and more of the villains. Was this something that the producers were planning?

I.A.: I do believe IF the series had been extended to a full season (and hopefully beyond) we would have seen more of the Cave etc., also, I was promised that Alfred would have played a more prominent role.

BYTB: The New Batman movie has Michael Caine signed on to play Alfred. Is this a role that you would have taken?

I.A.: Dear old Michael Caine. Oh yes, I would have jumped at the chance to play Alfred on the big screen. My name was thrown into the ring at WB, but they wanted a big name to bolster Christian Bale.

BYTB: How does it make you feel knowing that your now a part of the Batman history?

I.A.: In my own little way I suppose I am part of the BATMAN lore, but after all these years I take it in my stride. I just smile when I think about it.

BYTB: What can we look forward to from you in the future?

I.A.: Being in this business for almost 50 years has taught me never to take anything for granted. I really live from one job to the next. I have never had any long range plans. I am a jobbing actor who takes each day as it comes. I have nothing on the horizon (concrete that is) at the moment, a lot of possibilities but nothing to sign on the dotted line

BYTB: Thanks again for your time. It was great talking with you and we wish you luck in the future.