Jokers Throughout Time

There have been a number of Mad Clowns throughout the 75 years of Batman.

From the anarchist from The Dark Knight, to the bug-eyed buffoon in the 60s, we’re counting down the most notable Joker performances and appearances on our screens, big or small.

To start, we’re going waaaaay back. All the way to 1966 when The Batman first aired, and starred Adam West as the Bat and Cesar Romero as the Clown Prince of Crime. It was cheese dipped in more cheese then deep fried in an extra cheesy cheese. He was the starting point that many actors still look to when playing the role. As dark as the role may have become, there’s that goofy clown somewhere in there.

There was then a gap for a few years, and finally, Tim Burton came along and thought “Let’s frighten the b**p out of a 6-year-old Alex with Jack Nicholson as the Joker”… I’ve said too much. Yes, one of the most famous parts he ever played; he was the introduction into a slightly darker kind of Clown.  His performance was mesmerising and a little creepy. He struck the perfect balance between classy businessman and crime-lord.

Up next, my personal favourite: Mark Hamill. While he didn’t play him in person, he has provided the voice for the Joker for over two decades. That maniacal laugh, the pitched threats, the dark tone that gravels in his voice when issuing orders at Harley Quinn. His voice has been used for Batman: The Animated Series, The Killing Joke this year, and the Arkham Games. Truly the voice of a Joker generation.

Now, we come to one of the most poignant performances of the last decade. Heath Ledger, a name that’ll get any fanboys’ hairs on end. His role was captivating and actually scary. We all remember the scene that was filmed on a camcorder. The make-up, the scars – everything about the way he was portrayed was meaty and wonderful. We saw the Joker as more of an anarchist, an ‘agent of chaos’ if you will. We’ll be watching that film for decades to come.

Second to last, we have a rather niche voice actor, who starred as an older Joker in The Dark Knight Returns cartoon. Michael Emerson’s delivery was chilling and convincing as an older and more clinical Clown Prince. Pitted against Peter Weller who played the Bat, it was one helluva cartoon.

Lastly, we have Jared Leto, making his first appearance in the DC universe in Suicide Squad. His roll has caused a bit on controversy after he sent Joker-inspired gifts to various cast members. Leto was devoted to the role, so much that he stayed in character throughout shooting. Between takes, when taking to the crew, all the time. Hopefully it’ll have payed off.

So there we have it. The role of the Joker will continually be renewed, from comics to cartoons to films.

Lord knows, there’s enough material to drive you mad.