Arleen Sorkin, the actress who brought animated Harley Quinn to life with her mesmerizing voice, passes away at 67
Arleen Sorkin, the gifted actress who breathed life into the animated persona of Harley Quinn with her captivating voice, has passed away at the age of 67. The original voice artist behind the iconic character, Arleen Sorkin, has left us.
Renowned for her portrayal of the original Harley Quinn in “Batman: The Animated Series,” Arleen Sorkin’s demise has been confirmed by an anonymous source reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The precise cause of her passing remains undisclosed.
James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, took to Instagram to pay his respects to Sorkin. In his heartfelt tribute, he wrote, “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.”
Arleen Sorkin was also recognized for her role as Calliope Jones in the soap opera “Days of Our Lives” spanning from 1984 to 2010.
Sorkin etched her name in history by becoming the first voice artist to give life to Harley Quinn, the Joker’s paramour and partner-in-crime, in the acclaimed “Batman: The Animated Series” back in 1992. Her portrayal continued across various Batman-related media, including video games.
Diane Pershing, the voice of Poison Ivy in the same series, conveyed her feelings on Facebook through a friend’s account. She shared that Sorkin had been battling a prolonged illness and that she used to visit her to read. “I loved her very very much,” Pershing expressed. “I hadn’t seen her since I moved to Washington in January 2022, but I sent her messages and pictures of cosplayers at various Cons dressed as her, the original Harley Quinn.”
Christopher Lloyd, co-creator of “Modern Family” and Sorkin’s spouse, refrained from commenting on her passing.
Arleen Sorkin’s portrayal of Harley Quinn’s voice inspired countless fans and fellow actors alike. The character’s introduction in the animated series preceded her appearance in DC Comics in 1993. Over time, Harley Quinn made her way to live-action adaptations, with Mia Sara embodying her in the TV show “Birds of Prey” in 2002 and Margot Robbie taking on the role in “Suicide Squad” (2016), “Birds of Prey,” and “The Suicide Squad” (both released in 2020).
Following Sorkin, approximately 17 actresses have taken on the mantle of Harley Quinn in various formats. Notably, Tara Strong, a renowned voice actor, lent her voice to the character on 33 occasions.
Tara Strong expressed her admiration for Sorkin on social media, stating, “Without this gorgeous, talented goddess, #HarleyQuinn would have never existed. She was the inspiration & the heart & soul of this iconic character.”
Mark Hamill, who portrayed the Joker in the animated series, also shared his sorrow online, saying, “Devastated to learn we’ve lost the brilliant Arleen Sorkin. Not just a wonderful talent, but a truly wonderful person.
