DC Joker Actors: The Evolution of Chaos

The Joker: A Lot of Faces

The Joker is one of the most famous comic book villains ever (especially us, DC fans, absoolutely love him, but anyone outside of the fandom probably knows him as well). He is a character filled with nuance and chaos, which has pros and cons every time someone plays him. Over the years, actors have injected humour, horror, and all levels of mayhem into the character.

The DC Joker Actors: Who Are They? And Where do they keep coming from?

A lot of actors have played the Joker by now - whether it be in live action or animation, whether it be in a movie or a TV show. Let's get into some of them, shall we? All of them have brought something special to the character and portayed him in their own way.

Cesar Romero: The First DC Joker Actor

The Joker’s live-action debut in the 1966 Batman series and film was played by Cesar Romero. His characterization exaggerated campy antics and ridiculous schemes, matching the feeling of the show. Notoriously, Romero refused to shave his mustache, painting over it with white makeup, which became a quirky signature of his portrayal. Despite being light-hearted, this Joker laid the groundwork for a lot of later live-action versions.

Jack Nicholson: The Theatrical Criminal Version of the Joker

In Tim Burton's Batman (1989), Jack Nicholson reshaped the Joker into more of a theatrical sociopath. Nicholson’s Joker had way less humour to him. He calmly dispensed ominous lines like, “Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?” His performance straddled the playful camp of earlier Jokers with the darker tones embraced in later interpretations.

Mark Hamill: Not only an actor, but a voice

Mark Hamill was just as much an actor for the joker as anyone else, but only with his vocal performance in Batman: The Animated Series (1992). His performance gave fans a Joker that was both funny and utterly terrifying. Thanks to Hamill, the Joker laugh became his trademark, along with the ability to shift seamlessly from playful to sinister. Hamill reprised the role for animated movies and the Arkham video games, solidifying his status as the definitive Joker voice for generations to come.

Heath Ledger: The Actor of Joker's Chaos

Scepticism turned to awe following Heath Ledger's legendary turn as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008). Ledger’s portrayal as an anarchist Joker thrived on chaos, from his haunting lines like, “Why so serious?” (Which might not sound scary like this, but it was.) His nuanced performance earned him a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (which was well-deserved if you ask us), forever linking his name to movie history.

Jared Leto: The New-Age Gangster Joker

Suicide Squad (2016) presented Jared Leto's Joker as a modern gangster with tattoos and flashy outfits, different from the others, but working for this particular movie. Although opinion was divided about his rather brief appearance, Leto's performance brought unpredictability and a new dimension to the role. His Joker, while polarizing, was yet another version of this multifaceted villain.

Joaquin Phoenix: The Tragic Outsider

In 2019's Joker, Joaquin Phoenix gave a deeply human and unsettling take on madness. His Joker was a victim of illness and neglect, a man at odds with the world who ends his tragic journey as a supervillain. Phoenix’s portrayal earned him an Oscar for Best Actor (which was, again, super well-deserved according to us), proving there are still layers of the Joker to explore decades after his debut.

Barry Keoghan: A Brief and Creepy Tease

In The Batman (2022), Barry Keoghan briefly (very-very briefly) appeared as the Joker. His grotesque and unsettling portrayal suggested a return to the character's horrifying roots. Though fans await a fuller depiction, Keoghan’s take hints at a dark and haunting chapter for the Joker's future cinematic legacy. But there isn't much known about this yet...

We know, we know, there are probably still plenty of DC actors who portrayed Joker that we have missed out on - but there are just so many! Why don't you share your favourite with us in the comments? Share your opinion in the comments and receive a limited edition comic book to add to your collection on-site.