The first Batman television series was a live action show that enjoyed prime time popularity starting in 1966, and lasting for two years. A typical show included the characters of Batman, Robin, Alfred, the police commissioner, the police chief, and some Villain, along with some secondary characters. Villains' roles were frequently filled as guest star spots by celebrities from music, entertainment, and media. In fact many celebrities made cameo appearances during the shows existence.

The popular actor Burgess Meredith, known for his role as Mickey, Rocky Balboa's trainer, also played a role on the Batman television show as the villain The Penguin. Cesar Romero played the Joker on the TV show, and then later again in a Batman Movie. Three different actresses played the role of the villain Catwoman during the TV series. These actresses were Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, and Eartha Kitt. This was a role that was later played on the big screen by both Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry. The role of the Riddler was played by two different actors, Frank Gorshin and John Astin. Astin was known for his role in the Addams Family television series. Other notable celebrities who guest starred as villains on the TV series include David Wayne (as the Mad Hatter), Otto Preminger, George Sanders, and Eli Wallach (all as Mr. Freeze), Vincent Price (as Egghead), and Victor Buono (as King Tut).

There was another form of celebrity cameo which occurred often on the show during the first two seasons. These cameos would occur as Batman was scaling a large building. Sometimes during these "Batclimb" scenes a celebrity might stick their head out of a window in the building and have a quick interaction with Batman. Celebrities would sometimes play a character for the appearance, while others would appear as themselves. Celebrities that made these kinds of cameos include Dick Clark, Sammy Davis Jr., Ted Cassidy, Bill Dana, Andy Devine, Bruce Lee, Van Williams, Jerry Lewis, Don Ho, Werner Klemperer, Howard Duff, Art Linkletter, and Edward G. Robinson.

Celebrity cameos on the show where usually seen as a mutually beneficial partnership for both the the actor/ actress and the producers of the show. This is because the guest star spots offered an increased audience and possible boost in popularity for both the actor and the show.