Arleen Sorkin, the original voice of iconic Batman: The Animated Series villain Harley Quinn, has died. She was 67.
News of her death began circulating on social media earlier today. Mark Hamill, long-time voice of the Joker across multiple projects, was among those to confirm the news.
"Devastated to learn we've lost the brilliant Arleen Sorkin. Not just a wonderful talent, but a truly wonderful person. I'm grateful not only to have worked with her, but to have been her friend. Sending my heartfelt condolences to her family & loved ones," Hamill wrote.
Devastated to learn we've lost the brilliant Arleen Sorkin. Not just a wonderful talent, but a truly wonderful person. I'm grateful not only to have worked with her, but to have been her friend. ? Sending my heartfelt condolences to her family & loved ones. ? pic.twitter.com/g1Mb3BWoKn
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) August 27, 2023
James Gunn, whose Suicide Squad film featured Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn in a prominent role, wrote on Instagram, "Rest in Peace, Arleen Sorkin, the incredibly talented original voice of Harley Quinn, who helped to create the character so many of us love. Love to her family and friends."
Jim Cummings, the voice actor behind Darkwing Duck and other '90s characters, wrote, "RIP Arleen Sorkin, the original voice of #HarleyQuinn. You paved the way for an entire generation and I'll never forget our time working together."
RIP Arleen Sorkin, the original voice of #HarleyQuinn. You paved the way for an entire generation and I'll never forget our time working together ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1PeFbINldJ
— Jim Cummings (@Jimcummingsacme) August 27, 2023
Sorkin found fame in Days of Our Lives in the 1980s, where she played the eccentric Calliope Jones. She was college friends with Paul Dini, one of the co-creators of Batman: The Animated Series, who was partly inspired by her dressing as a jester for a dream sequence in Days of Our Lives. Sorkin was hired as the initial voice actor for Joker's henchman, and she would play Harley Quinn for decades across shows, video games, and other projects.
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