Arleen Sorkin died on Saturday. She was the original voice of Harley Quinn from “Batman: The Animated Series” as well as a cast member of “Days of Our Lives.” She was 67.
DC Studios CEO James Gunn shared the news of Sorkin’s death in a post 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.”
Arleen Sorkin Career Details
In the 1970s and 1980s, Sorkin began her career in the entertainment industry by working in a comedy troupe and as a cabaret performer. In 1984, she landed the role of Calliope Jones on “Days of Our Lives”.
Sorkin received two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1988 and 1989 for her work on “Days of Our Lives.” She would play a permanent character on “Days” from 1984 until 1990, then make cameos in 1992, 2006, and 2010.
In the 1992 “Batman: The Animated Series” episode “Joker’s Favor,” she provided the voice of Harley Quinn, a one-episode character. In addition to “Superman: The Animated Series,” “The New Batman Adventures,” “Gotham Girls,” “Static Shock,” “Justice League,” “Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker,” and “The Batman Superman Movie: The World’s Finest,” Sorkin would continue to voice the part.
Sorkin also worked as a writer and producer on the TV shows “How to Marry a Billionaire” and “Fired Up.” In 1997, she co-wrote “Picture Perfect” and two “Tiny Toon Adventures” episodes.
On X/Twitter, Mark Hamill, who played the Joker and frequently appeared with Sorkin, expressed his sympathy,
“Devastated to hear that the bright Arleen Sorkin has passed away. A truly beautiful person, not simply a wonderful gift. Not only am I appreciative of having worked with her, but also of having been her friend. My sincere condolences go out to her family and close friends”.
Her two children, Eli and Owen, as well as her husband, Christopher Lloyd, are still alive.