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Alfred Pennyworth is Bruce Wayne's butler in the Batman comic books, television series and motion pictures.
He holds down the fort at Wayne Manor, and does not accompany Bruce Wayne when he goes out as Batman. However, he is in contact in order to feed information or carry out instructions. When he drives Bruce around Gotham, Alfred always keeps a Batsuit in the trunk, just in case. His skill in first aid has proven invaluable on numerous occasions when his master or his companions are injured. He is also the only member of the "Bat-Family" that is allowed by Bruce Wayne to own a firearm.
The Pre-Crisis established Alfred as a retired intelligence agent who followed the deathbed wish of his dying father to carry on the tradition of serving the Wayne family. To that end, Alfred introduced himself to Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson at Wayne Manor and insisted on becoming their butler. Although, the pair did not want a one, especially since they did not want to jeopardize their secret identities with a servant in the house, they did not have the heart to eject Alfred. That night, Alfred awoke to moaning and followed the sound to the secret door to the starcase to the Batcave and met his would be employers in their superhero identities and Wayne was injured while out in the field. As it turned out, the wounds were actually insignificant, but Alfred's care convinced the residents that their butler can be trusted. Since then, Alfred included the support staff duties of the Dynamic Duo on top of his regular tasks.
Later, Alfred was reunited with his long-lost daughter, Julia Remarque. This character is yet to appear Post-Crisis.
In the Post-Crisis version, Alfred has been the Wayne Family butler all of Bruce's life and he helped his master establish his superhero career from the beginning. Alfred was hired away from the British Royal Family by Bruce's parents, and virtually raised him after their murder.
In other media
- Eric Wilton was the first actor to portray Alfred Pennyworth in live-action serial Batman and Robin in 1949.
- Ian Abercrombie portrayed Alfred on the short-lived TV series Birds of Prey.
- Alastair Duncan provided Alfred's voice on the animated TV series The Batman.
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