RIP
Actress Arleen Sorkin, the original voice of Harley Quinn, passed away at 67
The actress behind the voice and inspiration of one of the most popular and relatively new Batman characters passed away at the age of 67.
Arlene Sorkin, the actress behind the inspiration and voice of Batman character Harley Quinn, has died at the age of 67.
The actress’ death was announced by fellow voice actor Neil Kaplan, who took to Twitter to share the news of her passing, although no official statement by her family was given.
Later, director James Gunn took Instagram to comment on the passing of the actress:
Sorkin voiced Harley Quinn from 1992 until 2012, where she provided the character’s voice on TV since Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Static Shock, and Justice League, and even lent her voice to video games like Batman: Arkham Asylum and DC Universe Online.
Created by writer Paul Dini and artist Bruce Timm, Harley Quinn was originally created for 1992′s Batman: The Animated Series, where she rose to fame as one of the newest characters created for Batman’s complex rogues gallery. Dini was inspired by Sorkin, who had played a court jester on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives. Harley Quinn became so popular that she became an actual Batman comic book character in 1999. Her popularity led her to become the main character in comic books, movies and cartoons.
Who was Arleen Sorkin?
Arleen Sorkin was a versatile American actress and comedian who rose to prominence through her work on both screen and stage. She was born in Washington, D.C. on October 14, 1955.
In the 1980s, Sorkin became a household name for her portrayal of the wacky and lovable character Calliope Jones Bradford on the popular soap opera Days of Our Lives. She later went on to voice the iconic character Harley Quinn in the acclaimed animated series Batman: The Animated Series.
Sorkin’s contributions to entertainment have been widely celebrated by fans and peers alike. Her ability to move seamlessly between comedic and dramatic roles is a testament to her remarkable range as an actress. With her captivating performances and unique voice, she has left a lasting legacy in the world of television and animation.
May she rest in peace.