Los Angeles: Renowned actress Arleen Sorkin, celebrated for her iconic portrayal of Harley Quinn’s distinctive voice in the classic cartoon series ‘Batman: The Animated Series,’ has passed away at the age of 67.
The news of Sorkin’s passing was shared by fellow veteran voice actor Neil Kaplan, who posted on X (formerly Twitter): “It broke my heart to hear… the original voice of Harley Quinn, (Arleen) Sorkin has passed away. I adored her work as HQ & as Calliope in Days of Our Lives.”
Following her demise, heartfelt tributes poured in from various individuals, including James Gunn and Mark Hamill. James Gunn expressed on X: “Rest in peace Arleen Sorkin, the incredibly talented voice of Harley Quinn, who helped to create the character so many of us love.”
Mark Hamill, who famously voiced the Joker in the series, shared: “Devastated to learn that we’ve lost the brilliant and talented Arleen Sorkin. Not just a great talent, but a wonderful person. I am grateful not only to have worked with her, but to have been her friend as well. Sending my heartfelt condolences to her family & loved ones.”
Arleen Sorkin was the original voice behind the character of Harley Quinn, the Joker’s manic girlfriend and partner in crime. Her portrayal contributed to Harley Quinn’s immense popularity and led to her becoming a comic book character beyond the show.
Sorkin’s distinct voice lent a blend of playful animation and a hint of dementedness to the character, quickly winning her a devoted fan following. She continued to voice Harley Quinn in subsequent series such as ‘The New Batman Adventures,’ ‘Superman: The Animated Series,’ ‘Gotham Girls,’ ‘Static Shock,’ and ‘Justice League.’ Her portrayal extended to various video games like ‘Batman: Arkham Asylum,’ ‘Batman: Arkham City,’ and ‘Batman: Arkham Knight,’ as well as the movie ‘Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.’
Sorkin’s passing marks another loss among the original cast of ‘Batman: The Animated Series,’ following the demise of veteran voice actor Kevin Conroy, known for his role as the voice of Batman, last year.
