Joker and Harley Quinn: The Actors Who Defined the Roles

Since the creation of the Joker and Harley Quinn characters in the DC Comics universe, many actors have taken on the challenge of bringing these iconic villains to life on the big and small screens. The Joker, in particular, has been portrayed by a variety of actors, each bringing their own unique take on the character.

From the late Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance in “The Dark Knight” to Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal in “Joker,” the character has been reimagined in many different ways.

One of the most recent iterations of the Joker can be found in the animated series “Harley Quinn,” where the character is voiced by veteran voice actor Kevin Michael Richardson. The series follows Harley Quinn, who is voiced by Kaley Cuoco, as she tries to make a name for herself in Gotham City after breaking up with the Joker. The show has been praised for its irreverent humor and willingness to take risks with its characters.

Harley Quinn herself has also been portrayed by a number of different actresses over the years, including Margot Robbie in the DC Extended Universe films “Suicide Squad” and “Birds of Prey.” Robbie’s take on the character has been praised by fans and critics alike, and she is set to reprise the role in the upcoming film “The Suicide Squad.”

Actors Who Played Joker

Actors Who Played Joker

First, let’s view some of the most iconic names in acting that have represented Joker well.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix won the 2020 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as the Joker in Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker’. His performance was lauded by audiences and critics alike, with many praising his ability to bring a unique humanity to a character that has been portrayed in numerous films and TV shows before. Phoenix expertly captures the disturbed mental state of the Joker while showing us glimpses of what may have driven him down this path.

His haunting portrayal will stay with viewers long after leaving the theater, making it no surprise that he was able to take home Oscar gold. With Joaquin’s electrifying performance and thoughtful characterization, there is no doubt that he has cemented his place as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Jared Leto

Jared Leto

Jared Leto portrayed the Joker in the 2016 film Suicide Squad. He went to great lengths to get into character, including sending his co-stars dead animals and used condoms.

However, his portrayal was met with mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. Some found his performance to be over-the-top and distracting, while others appreciated his unique take on the character.

Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in the 2008 film The Dark Knight is widely regarded as one of the greatest performances in cinema history. He won numerous awards for his role, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, becoming the first actor to win an Oscar posthumously in that category.

Ledger’s Joker was a dark, twisted, and complex character, and his performance brought a new level of depth to the iconic villain.

Jack Nicholson

Jack Nicholson

Jack Nicholson played the Joker in the 1989 film Batman, directed by Tim Burton. His performance was praised for its humor and energy, and he brought a sense of fun to the character that had not been seen before. Nicholson’s portrayal of the Joker was more of a classic comic book villain, with exaggerated features and a larger-than-life personality.

Overall, each actor brought their own unique interpretation to the role of the Joker. While some were more successful than others, all of them contributed to the character’s legacy in their own way.

Actors Who Played Harley Quinn

Actors Who Played Harley Quinn

Now, let’s take a look at some of the leading ladies that have played the role as Harley Quinn.

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie is an Australian actress who played Harley Quinn in the 2016 movie Suicide Squad and the 2020 movie Birds of Prey. She also produced Birds of Prey. Robbie’s portrayal of Harley Quinn received praise from both fans and critics for her performance.

Kaley Cuoco

Kaley Cuoco

Kaley Cuoco is an American actress who voiced Harley Quinn in the animated series of the same name, which premiered in 2019 on DC Universe. The series follows Harley Quinn after she breaks up with the Joker and sets out to become the queen of Gotham City’s criminal underworld.

Cuoco’s performance as Harley Quinn was well-received by audiences and critics alike.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga

In 2022, it was announced that Lady Gaga would play Harley Quinn in the upcoming sequel to Joker. Little is known about the plot of the film or how Lady Gaga will portray the character, but many fans are excited to see her take on the role.

Overall, the actresses who have played Harley Quinn have brought their own unique interpretations to the character, whether it be in live-action or animation.

Margot Robbie’s performance was praised for its depth and complexity, Kaley Cuoco’s voice acting brought humor and heart to the character, and Lady Gaga’s upcoming portrayal has fans eagerly anticipating what she will bring to the table.

Comparison of Joker and Harley Quinn

Comparison of Joker and Harley Quinn

Joker and Harley Quinn are two of the most iconic characters in the DC Universe. They have been portrayed by various actors in movies and TV shows. While they are both villains, they have distinct personalities and motivations. This section compares and contrasts the two characters.

Personality

Joker is a psychopath who enjoys chaos and destruction. He is unpredictable and can turn violent at any moment. He has a twisted sense of humor and enjoys tormenting his victims.

On the other hand, Harley Quinn is a former psychiatrist who fell in love with Joker and became his loyal sidekick. She is bubbly, energetic, and has a childlike innocence. She is often torn between her love for Joker and her desire to be a hero.

Relationships

Joker and Harley Quinn have a complicated relationship. Joker often abuses and manipulates Harley, but she remains loyal to him. They share a deep connection, but it is not a healthy one.

Joker sees Harley as a tool to further his own goals, while Harley sees Joker as her true love. They have been known to team up with other villains, such as Two-Face and Poison Ivy, but their relationship always takes center stage.

Abilities

Joker and Harley Quinn are both skilled fighters and have access to various weapons and gadgets. Joker is a mastermind who can outsmart his opponents, while Harley is more impulsive and relies on her agility and acrobatics.

They both have a high pain tolerance and can withstand injuries that would kill an ordinary person.

Interactions with Other Characters

Joker and Harley Quinn have interacted with many other characters in the DC Universe. Joker has a long-standing rivalry with Batman and has also clashed with Superman, Lex Luthor, and Commissioner Gordon. Harley Quinn has teamed up with other heroes, such as Wonder Woman, Catwoman and Batgirl, and has also had romantic relationships with Poison Ivy and Kite Man.

Overall, Joker and Harley Quinn are fascinating characters who have captured the imaginations of fans for decades. Their unique personalities, relationships, and abilities make them stand out in the crowded world of comic book villains.

Other Actors Who Played Joker and Harley Quinn

Other Actors Who Played Joker and Harley Quinn

Voice Actors

The Joker and Harley Quinn have been voiced by numerous actors in various animated series, movies, and video games. One of the most notable voice actors for the Joker is Mark Hamill, who voiced the character in Batman: The Animated Series and several other animated shows and movies. He is widely regarded as one of the best Joker voice actors of all time.

For Harley Quinn, Arleen Sorkin was the original voice actor in Batman: The Animated Series. Other notable voice actors for Harley Quinn include Tara Strong, who voiced the character in the Batman: Arkham video game series, and Kaley Cuoco, who voices Harley Quinn in the Harley Quinn animated series.

Lego Batman: The Videogame

Lego Batman: The Videogame

The Lego Batman: The Videogame features a comedic take on the Joker and Harley Quinn. In the game, the Joker is voiced by Steve Blum, while Harley Quinn is voiced by Sirena Irwin. The game’s storyline follows the Joker and Harley Quinn as they team up to wreak havoc on Gotham City.

The game received positive reviews for its humor and gameplay, and is considered one of the best Lego video games ever made.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Batman: The Brave and the Bold is an animated series that features a different version of the Joker and Harley Quinn. In the series, the Joker is voiced by Jeff Bennett, and Harley Quinn is voiced by Meghan Strange.

The series has a more lighthearted tone than other Batman animated shows, and features team-ups between Batman and various other DC Comics heroes. The Joker and Harley Quinn appear in several episodes, often as part of a larger group of villains.