Death of Arleen Sorkin, Original Voice of Harley Quinn, Mourned by Mark Hamill, James Gunn, and Fans

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 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 henchwoman, and she would play Harley Quinn for decades across shows, video games, and other projects.

Sorkin’s portrayed Harley Quinn as a woman in love with Joker, and more than a little unhinged herself, but also trapped in an abusive relationship. Fans noted that she could be every bit as dramatic as she was silly in the role.

Arleen Sorkin gave so many amazing performances as Harley Quinn through the years, but I think her best will always be “Harley’s Holiday.” Her and Kevin Conroy are so great in this final scene. It gets me every time.

RIP pic.twitter.com/ZqPDiRMY8y

— The Ryan Hipp™ 🏳️‍🌈 (@RyanHippFTW) August 26, 2023

Another fan wrote, “R.I.P. Arleen Sorkin, the original voice of Harley Quinn. The way Sorkin was able to combine twisted loopiness with a hint of sympathetic sadness is key to what made the character work so well.”

R.I.P. Arleen Sorkin, the original voice of Harley Quinn. The way Sorkin was able to combine twisted loopiness with a hint of sympathetic sadness is key to what made the character work so well. pic.twitter.com/8AIcMqgpci

— Vincent Alexander (@NonsenseIsland) August 26, 2023

Harley Quinn became one of Batman: The Animated Series’ greatest contributions to the Batman canon, firmly establishing herself as a major villain in her own right. She currently has her own self-titled animated series, now in its fourth season, on Max. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga is set to play Harley Quinn in Joker 2.

As for Sorkin, her other contributions include writing for Tiny Toon Adventures from 1990 to 1992. She reprised the role one last time in DC Universe Online, having previously appeared in Batman: Arkham Asylum.

There is no Harley Quinn without Arleen Sorkin.

She was literally the inspiration for the character’s creation & brought her to life.

Harley could have been nothing but a generic moll of the Joker, but today, Harley Quinn is one of the pillars of DC Comics.

Thank you, Arleen. pic.twitter.com/Ninc5WIyXJ

— Jeff Harris (@nemalki) August 26, 2023

“There is no Harley Quinn without Arleen Sorkin,” wrote writer Jeff Harris. “She was literally the inspiration for the character’s creation & brought her to life. Harley could have been nothing but a generic moll of the Joker, but today, Harley Quinn is one of the pillars of DC Comics. Thank you, Arleen.”

Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.