The Joker stands as Batman’s most legendary and enigmatic adversary, captivating audiences for decades with his chaotic charm and sinister wit. Through the years, numerous actors have stepped into the villain’s twisted shoes, each bringing a unique flavor that deepens the character’s complexity. From spine-chilling laughter to unsettling grins, these performances have not only entertained but also redefined what it means to be a master criminal in Gotham City’s dark underworld.
Across television screens, movie theaters, and animated series, the Joker’s many incarnations have left an indelible mark on popular culture. Whether it’s the manic energy of live-action portrayals or the nuanced depth of voice actors, each interpretation adds new layers to the Clown Prince of Crime’s legacy. Together, these portrayals continue to influence how audiences worldwide perceive one of the most compelling villains in comic book history.
1. Jared Leto (Suicide Squad, 2016)
Heavily tattooed and sporting a grill, Leto’s Joker missed the mark with fans and critics alike. His screen time was cut dramatically, leaving audiences with only glimpses of his interpretation. Leto went method for the role, sending bizarre gifts to castmates and staying in character off-camera.
Despite these efforts, his performance came across as forced rather than frightening. The gangster-inspired take strayed too far from what makes the character compelling, focusing on style over substance. Even with a second chance in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, this version remains at the bottom of most fans’ lists.
2. Cesar Romero (Batman TV Series & 1966 Movie)
Famous for refusing to shave his mustache (which remained visible under his white makeup), Romero brought a playful energy to the campy 1960s Batman series. His Joker was more mischievous prankster than dangerous criminal, perfectly matching the show’s lighthearted tone.
With his signature laugh and exaggerated movements, Romero created a theatrical villain who was entertaining rather than threatening. His colorful suits and elaborate schemes defined the character for a generation of viewers. While lacking the psychological depth of later interpretations, Romero’s joyful portrayal remains an important chapter in Joker history, capturing the character’s showman qualities.
3. Zach Galifianakis (The Lego Batman Movie)
Galifianakis brought unexpected heart to the animated Joker in this family-friendly film. His version portrayed the villain as desperately seeking Batman’s acknowledgment as his greatest enemy, turning their rivalry into a bizarre relationship comedy. The humor came from making the Clown Prince of Crime emotionally needy rather than psychotic.
This fresh take played perfectly with the film’s meta-comedy approach, poking fun at the characters’ decades-long history. Though simplified for younger audiences, this Joker captured something fundamental about the character’s obsession with Batman. Galifianakis’s comedic timing and genuine emotion made this blocky, plastic version surprisingly memorable.
4. Jack Nicholson (Batman, 1989)
Before Nicholson, movie audiences had only seen Romero’s campy take. His performance changed everything by blending the character’s theatrical flair with genuine menace. That famous grin wasn’t just makeup – it was a permanent disfigurement from chemicals, making his madness feel tragically real.
Nicholson brought his natural charisma to the role, creating a Joker who was both terrifying and charismatic. His artistic vandalism and twisted humor showed a criminal mind that saw destruction as entertainment. For many fans who grew up in the 80s and 90s, Nicholson remains the definitive Joker. His performance set a new standard for comic book villains on screen.
5. Joaquim de Almeida (Voice in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker)
De Almeida’s voice performance captured an aging Joker who returns decades after his supposed death. His interpretation balanced nostalgic callbacks with a fresh menace appropriate for the futuristic setting of Batman Beyond. The Portuguese-American actor brought subtle nuances to the character, suggesting a villain who had grown more calculating with time.
His delivery maintained the Joker’s traditional unpredictability while adding new layers of technological savvy. Though less recognized than other portrayals, de Almeida’s work contributed significantly to one of the darkest and most mature Batman animated films. His performance helped bridge the classic Joker legacy with the series’ cyberpunk future.
6. David McCallum (Voice in Batman: The Animated Series)
McCallum stepped in for just one episode when regular voice actor Mark Hamill was unavailable. His take on the Joker in “The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy” brought a different energy to the character – more refined and less manic than fans were accustomed to.
The Scottish actor, known for roles in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and later NCIS, delivered his lines with calculated precision. His Joker felt more like a criminal mastermind than an agent of chaos, offering viewers a glimpse at another side of the character. Though brief, McCallum’s performance demonstrates how versatile the Joker can be in different hands. His interpretation stands as an interesting counterpoint to the more familiar versions.
7. Alan Napier (Portrayed Joker in related appearances)
Better known as Alfred in the 1960s Batman series, Napier occasionally filled in as the Joker for promotional appearances when Romero was unavailable. His interpretation maintained the campy spirit of the show while adding his own theatrical flair to the character. The British actor brought decades of classical training to these brief portrayals.
Though not widely documented, fans who witnessed these rare performances recall his ability to capture the Joker’s manic energy despite being much older than Romero. Napier’s contribution represents an interesting footnote in Joker history – an understudy who helped maintain the character’s public presence during the height of Batman’s 1960s popularity. His work shows how the role has sometimes extended beyond official screen appearances.
8. Michael Emerson (Voice in The Batman TV series)
Known for playing complex villains in Lost and Person of Interest, Emerson brought a chilling intellectual quality to the Joker in 2008’s The Batman animated series. His interpretation emphasized the character’s brilliant, calculating side over pure chaos. Emerson’s distinctive voice gave this Joker a sophisticated edge.
He delivered lines with precise timing and subtle menace that made even simple threats deeply unsettling, creating a villain who felt genuinely dangerous rather than cartoonish. Unlike more flamboyant portrayals, Emerson’s Joker was coldly rational with sudden bursts of violence. This approach highlighted the character’s unpredictability while suggesting a method to his madness that many other versions lack.
9. John DiMaggio (Voice in Batman: Under the Red Hood)
Best known as Bender from Futurama, DiMaggio delivered a brutally physical Joker in this acclaimed animated film. His deeper, gruffer voice created a Joker who felt like a genuine street thug who had clawed his way to the top of Gotham’s underworld. DiMaggio’s performance balanced humor with true savagery.
When this Joker beat Jason Todd with a crowbar, the violence felt disturbingly real despite the animated format. What makes this interpretation stand out is how it strips away the character’s theatrical elements to reveal something more primal. DiMaggio showed us a Joker who wasn’t just playing at being a monster – he truly was one, making his crimes feel more personal and vicious.
10. Brent Spiner (Voice in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm)
The Star Trek: TNG actor made a brief but memorable appearance as a pre-Joker gangster in flashback scenes. Spiner’s performance as the unnamed criminal who would later become the Joker provided a rare glimpse into the character’s origin. His voice work established a nervous, desperate quality to the future villain.
The transformation from ordinary criminal to iconic supervillain gained extra impact through Spiner’s ability to convey genuine fear when confronted by Batman. Though only appearing in a few scenes, Spiner’s contribution adds meaningful depth to the Joker’s backstory. His performance helps explain how an unremarkable crook could be driven to become Batman’s greatest enemy after one terrible day.
11. Troy Baker (Voice in Batman: Arkham video games)
Taking over from Mark Hamill in the prequel Arkham Origins, Baker faced the challenge of matching an iconic performance while making it his own. His younger Joker maintained the character’s manic energy while adding hints of the criminal mastermind he would become. Baker’s vocal performance is so spot-on that many players couldn’t tell the difference between his work and Hamill’s.
This wasn’t mere imitation – he captured the essence of the character while adding subtle flourishes that fit the earlier timeline. As one of gaming’s most versatile voice actors, Baker brought technical precision to the role. His Joker laughs with genuine delight at his own crimes, showing a villain who truly loves his work.
12. Cameron Monaghan (Gotham TV series — Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska)
Due to complicated rights issues, Monaghan couldn’t officially play “The Joker” on Gotham. Instead, he portrayed twin brothers Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska – characters who embodied different aspects of the Joker’s personality without using the name. Jerome represented the chaotic, theatrical side – a wild-eyed carnival barker of crime.
After his death, his more calculating twin Jeremiah emerged as a precise, architectural villain. Monaghan essentially played two different Jokers, each highlighting different facets of the iconic character. His physical commitment to both roles was remarkable, using distinct body language and facial expressions to differentiate the brothers. Monaghan’s performances showed how the Joker archetype could be reimagined for television while honoring the character’s comic book roots.
13. Joaquin Phoenix (Joker, 2019)
Phoenix transformed completely to play Arthur Fleck, losing significant weight to create a physically frail man whose mental deterioration we witness throughout the film. His performance won an Oscar by making audiences sympathize with a character destined to become a villain.
His unsettling laugh – a medical condition in this version – creates moments of painful awkwardness rather than menace. Phoenix builds the character through small gestures: the way he dances, applies makeup, or practices his comedy delivery. What makes this interpretation stand out is how it reimagines the Joker as a tragic figure born from social neglect rather than a criminal mastermind. Phoenix shows us not just the Joker, but the broken man behind the makeup.
14. Mark Hamill (Voice in Batman: The Animated Series, video games)
For many fans, Hamill’s laugh alone defines the Joker. Beginning in 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series and continuing through numerous projects for nearly 30 years, his vocal performance blends playful wickedness with genuine menace. Hamill found the perfect balance between comedy and horror. His Joker can deliver a silly punchline one moment and a bone-chilling threat the next, often within the same sentence.
The versatility of his performance has allowed this version to work across cartoons, video games, and animated films. What’s most impressive is how Hamill evolved the character over time. His Joker in the Arkham games is notably darker than the animated series version, showing how the actor adapted his iconic take to match each project’s tone.
15. Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight, 2008)
Ledger’s posthumous Oscar-winning performance redefined what a comic book villain could be. His Joker arrived fully formed – a force of nature with no clear origin, interested only in exposing the moral compromises of Gotham’s citizens and institutions.
The physical transformation was startling: hunched posture, constant tongue flicking, and makeshift makeup that looked applied by the character himself. Ledger’s Joker felt dangerous because his motivations remained mysterious – a terrorist who wanted to watch the world burn rather than profit from its destruction. Beyond the memorable quotes and shocking violence, what makes this performance legendary is its philosophical weight. Ledger created a Joker who functioned as Batman’s perfect opposite – a compelling argument for chaos against order.
Leave a comment