Batman actor Kevin Conroy has died at the age of 66

Kevin Conroy, voice of Batman in Batman: The Animated Seriescountless animated productions, as well as the video game franchises Arkham and Injustice, has died at the age of 66.

Voice actress Diane Pershing who voiced Poison Ivy on B: TASFirst shared the news on their Facebook pageShe wrote: “Our beloved voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy, passed away yesterday. He was ill for a while but he really put a lot of time into cons to the delight of all his fans. He will be sorely missed not only by the cast of the series, but by his legion of fans around the world.”

DC Animation’s publicity confirmed Conroy’s death in a press release.

Conroy studied acting at the Juilliard School with his roommate, comedian Robin Williams, and his near-roommate, actor Christopher Reeves. He began his career in the New York City theater scene of the 1980s before breaking into soap opera roles and recurring and guest appearances on series such as television dynasty, cheersand Matlock.

According to Conroy’s own writing, he was in his 30s when his spokesperson connected him to the production behind it Batman: The Animated Series

and legendary casting director Andrea Romano. The 1992 series defined Conroy’s career at a time when animated television superhero adventures were far, far more prevalent than any live-action production. This dynamic made him the most recognizable (and regular) actor behind Batman for a decade.

“Kevin was far more than an actor for me to cast and direct,” Romano said in DC Animation’s press release, “he was a dear friend for over 30 years whose kindness and generosity knew no bounds.”

Conroy’s performance as Batman was rivaled only by Mark Hamill’s role as the character’s nemesis, the Joker. Better known for his iconic live-action role as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise Hamill once told Rotten Tomatoes“If you offer me [Joker] Now I’m like, ‘Does Kevin do it?’ […] I don’t even have to read the script, if Kevin does it, I do it.”

Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill sit across from each other on a podium and chat. — Conroy and Hamill at Fan Expo Canada in 2016.

“Kevin was perfect,” Hamill said in DC Animation’s press release. “He was one of my favorite people on this planet and I loved him like a brother. He genuinely cared about those around him – his decency shone through everything he did. Every time I saw him or spoke to him, my spirits lifted.”

To Batman: The Animated Seriesits gently relaunched sequel series The New Adventures of Batmanand his acclaimed feature film, Batman: Mask of the PhantasmConroy continued his time with the character B: TAS

spinoffs like Batman beyond and Justice League Unlimited, as well as the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line. According to DC Animation, he voiced his signature superhero in a total of 15 films, 15 different animated series, and “two dozen video games” — most notably the Arkham franchise, which broke a legendary streak from horrifying comics to videos. game adjustments.

Conroy made his only appearance as the live-action version of Batman in 2019, playing an older version of Bruce Wayne in the CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths event.

For many who grew up on the groundbreaking, highly influential observations Batman: The Animated Series, the sound of Conroy’s voice is inseparable from the character of Batman. A dozen Batman and Bruce Wayne actors later, Conroy’s performance still exhibits the realism and restraint he was known for blame film actors like Christian Bale. It is often pointed out that as Batman he had two distinct modes, both of which are simple variations on his natural speaking voice. His Bruce Wayne baritone was rich and light, in contrast to his lowered Batman, which came along with just a hint of growl. What is less noticed is that he actually had one center

also write in the performance: The difference between hooded Batman, open-hooded Batman in private and Bruce Wayne in public. (Not to mention the voice he designed for his co-starring role as old Bruce Wayne in Batman beyond.)

Conroy’s performance is legendary, but what’s less well known is that his performance stems directly from his experience as a gay man faced with Hollywood adversity. In the DC Comics DC Pride 2022 Anthology issue, Conroy penned a nine-page memoir about his career before taking on the role of Batman, drawn by artist J. Bone. With heartbreaking precision, the story describes Conroy’s determination to make love dreams come true and creative fulfillment despite the backlash of individual and systemic bigotry – against the backdrop of a deadly, ignored pandemic that is decimating his friends and colleagues.

Kevin Conroy and his friends sit at the hospital bed of a friend with end-stage AIDS. Narrative boxes explain relieving him through dementia by pretending that in DC Pride 2022 they are rehearsing a play he wrote about being gay and living in Hollywood with AIDS.

“They explained the character to me,” he writes in his comic Batman: The Animated Series Audition. “Explained how young Bruce Wayne had seen his parents murdered in Crime Alley before his eyes. How he had formed two personalities to deal with the agony of his childhood. A mask of trust for the world and a private one plagued by conflict and wounds. Can I understand that, they asked.”

“Yes, I can understand that.”