Yvonne Craig became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces during the 1960s. While she appeared in films and television throughout the decade, she is best remembered for playing Barbara Gordon — Batgirl — on the hit ABC series Batman. Her athleticism, natural grace, and ballet training made her a perfect fit for the physically demanding role.
Like many actresses of the era, Craig’s public image was carefully shaped through planned publicity shoots. Studios and publicists used these photos to keep stars visible in the press and in the public eye. Fan magazines, lifestyle publications, and general interest titles were the main vehicles for reaching audiences, and photos were their lifeblood.
Bikini photo shoots were a standard part of the Hollywood publicity machine in the 1960s. They were used to promote an image of beauty, health, and glamour. These were not candid snapshots — they were fully staged sessions done specifically for magazines and press distribution.
Craig’s ballet background gave her a physicality that stood out on camera. Her posture, movement, and overall presence translated well into these shoots, which often emphasized an actress’s energy and vitality as much as her looks.
Publications of all kinds ran these photos regularly. Seeing a favorite star in a swimsuit shoot was considered a fun, lighthearted way for fans to connect with performers outside of their on-screen roles. It was entirely routine for top actresses to participate.
Craig joined the Batman cast in 1967, adding Batgirl to a show already packed with colorful characters. Her role gave her a wider audience and cemented her status as a pop culture icon of the decade.
The photos from this period capture Craig in a very specific moment in Hollywood history — when the studio publicity system was still running at full speed and magazine culture was at its peak. Each shoot was a deliberate effort to shape how the public saw her.
Scroll through the full collection of Yvonne Craig’s 1960s bikini publicity photos below.
