Alfred Pennyworth has been one of the most prominent supporting characters in Batman since the early 40's. At first, Batman was on his own, but he quickly got Robin as a sidekick and Alfred as a butler. Like the Batcave, it's been reported that Alfred was created for the original movie serial. He quickly became a character in the comics. Aside from Batman himself, Alfred is the only character to appear in all of the official live action Batman films. Commissioner Gordon was also in all of them, until 2016's Batman V Superman excluded him.
William Austin in 1943's Batman movie serial
Eric Wilton in 1949's Batman and Robin movie serial
Alan Napier in 1966's Batman Televisione series and movie
Michael Gough in four Batman films from 1989 to 1997
Ian Abercrombie in 2002's Birds of Prey Televisione series
Michael Caine in three Batman films from 2005 to 2012
Sean Pertwee in 2014's Gotham Televisione series
Jeremy Irons in 2016's Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, 2017 and 2021's Justice League
Jack Bannon in 2019's Pennyworth Televisione series
Douglas Hodge in 2019's Joker film
Andy Serkis in 2022's The Batman film
William Austin in 1943's Batman movie serial
Eric Wilton in 1949's Batman and Robin movie serial
Alan Napier in 1966's Batman Televisione series and movie
Michael Gough in four Batman films from 1989 to 1997
Ian Abercrombie in 2002's Birds of Prey Televisione series
Michael Caine in three Batman films from 2005 to 2012
Sean Pertwee in 2014's Gotham Televisione series
Jeremy Irons in 2016's Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, 2017 and 2021's Justice League
Jack Bannon in 2019's Pennyworth Televisione series
Douglas Hodge in 2019's Joker film
Andy Serkis in 2022's The Batman film