Every Actor Who Has Played The Joker, Ranked Best To Worst By Fans

Heath Ledger's chilling portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight redefined the character, with fans and critics alike praising his hauntingly brilliant performance that transcended expectations. His unforgettable scenes, such as the pencil trick, his macabre humor, and his interrogation with Batman, showcased Ledger's unwavering dedication to immersing himself in the Joker's twisted psyche. Ledger's Joker reshaped the Batman franchise and left an indelible mark on how future incarnations of the character would be approached. Tragically, Ledger passed away before the film's release, but his monumental talent was duly recognized when he was posthumously awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, forever immortalizing his chilling take on the iconic villain.

Mark Hamill's voice acting as the Joker in various animated series, movies, and video games is the stuff of legend, transforming him into a fan-favorite iteration of the Clown Prince of Crime. With his gleefully sinister laugh and chillingly whimsical tone, Hamill's Joker has often been described as the definitive vocal embodiment of the character, effortlessly capturing his madcap humor and unhinged psychopathic tendencies. Notably, Hamill's performance in Batman: The Animated Series and the Arkham video games has left an indelible impact on the Batman universe. Hamill's exceptional talent as a voice actor has garnered widespread acclaim and adoration from fans and critics alike, solidifying his status as one of the most iconic Jokers of all time.

Jack Nicholson's turn as the Joker in Tim Burton's Batman set a high bar for future portrayals of the infamous villain. Nicholson's Joker oozed charisma, combining a devilish sense of humor with the character's murderous tendencies, creating a captivating and entertaining performance that is still beloved to this day. His flamboyantly twisted appearance, along with unforgettable scenes such as the art gallery sequence and his deadly parade, contributed to the success of the film and cemented the Joker as Batman's ultimate nemesis. Nicholson's groundbreaking performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination and left an indelible mark on the character's legacy, influencing future portrayals of the Joker for years to come.

Offering up a deeply disturbing and empathetic look at the origins of the iconic character, Joaquin Phoenix's riveting performance in Joker provides a fresh perspective that transcended the typical comic book movie fare. Phoenix's gritty and jarring exploration of the Joker's descent into madness was marked by his haunting laughter, unsettling unpredictability, and raw vulnerability, culminating in a stunning transformation that fully captured the essence of the character. His chilling dance on the stairs remains one of the most memorable moments in the Batman franchise's history, and his heartfelt portrayal garnered critical acclaim, ultimately earning him the Academy Award for Best Actor. Phoenix's Joker not only redefined the character for a new generation but also challenged and elevated the standards for future iterations.

Cesar Romero's unforgettable portrayal of the Joker in the 1960s Batman television series and the 1966 film Batman: The Movie remains a classic, embodying the campy and light-hearted tone of that era's Batman franchise. Romero's exuberant and flamboyant performance, complete with his iconic painted mustache, showcased the Joker's zany charm and delightfully sinister antics, setting the precedent for future live-action portrayals. His colorful and devilish pranks, such as turning the United Nations into dust and attempting to dehydrate Gotham City's citizens, left an indelible mark on the Batman universe and forever endeared Romero to fans of the iconic villain. While quite different from today's darker interpretations, Romero's Joker is cherished as a beloved, pioneering performance that paved the way for those that followed.

Voiceover actor extraordinaire Alan Tudyk took on the role of The Joker in DC Universe's animated action comedy series, Harley Quinn. If you're a DC fan and haven't check out the animated Harley Quinn series, you're missing out. Tudyk plays the Joker as the despicable man he is, you know the type, the kind of guy who pretends to have read Infinite Jest and mansplains it to you. Everything from his feud with Batman to his inventions like the “Cancer Ray,” Alan Tudyk's Joker is highly underrated.

Cameron Monaghan's portrayal of Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska in the television series Gotham offered a unique and captivating take on the Joker character, exploring two distinct yet closely related figures who each embodied the chaos and madness associated with the iconic villain. Monaghan's intensely immersive performances, ranging from deranged humor to menacing brutality, showcased his versatility as an actor and kept fans eagerly anticipating each new harrowing development. His chilling laughter, unforgettable carnival massacre, and twisted obsession with Bruce Wayne added new dimensions to the Batman universe and helped shape "Gotham's" distinct identity. Monaghan's iterations of the Joker stand out as a fascinating, fresh approach to the character that has earned him considerable praise and a loyal fan base.

Offering a hilarious and surprisingly vulnerable interpretation of the Clown Prince of Crime, Zach Galifianakis brought his distinct comedic talent to the role of the Joker in The LEGO Batman Movie. His performance was marked by witty one-liners, playful banter, and an unexpectedly poignant exploration of the Joker's deeply rooted dependence on Batman. Galifianakis' Joker rejuvenated the character with a unique blend of humor and pathos, infusing levity into the Batman franchise and helping to create an entertaining and unforgettable animated experience. While less sinister than other portrayals, Galifianakis' rendition of the Joker has earned a special place in fans' hearts for its cleverly humorous take on the iconic villain.

John DiMaggio's voice acting as the Joker in the animated film Batman: Under the Red Hood provided a fresh and menacing interpretation of the character, exploring his brutal and calculating nature. DiMaggio's chilling performance, with its gravelly, sinister voice, effectively conveyed the Joker's sadistic tendencies, while still maintaining a hint of his dark humor. Memorable moments, such as the brutal crowbar scene and his chilling confrontation with Batman and the Red Hood, left a lasting impact on fans and proved DiMaggio's ability to embody the character's malevolent essence. While less well-known than other voice actors, DiMaggio's Joker has been praised for its powerful portrayal of the villain's more fearsome qualities.

Troy Baker's voice acting as the Joker in the Arkham Origins video game and the animated film Batman: Assault on Arkham demonstrated his impressive ability to capture the essence of the character with a performance reminiscent of Mark Hamill's iconic portrayal. Baker's chillingly whimsical voice, skillful delivery of dark humor, and eerily gleeful laugh fully immersed players in the inherent insanity of the Joker. His performance in the Arkham Origins storyline, which delved into the early days of the Joker's relationship with Batman, provided a fascinating exploration of the character's complex psyche. Baker's Joker has been widely recognized for its skillful execution and remarkable similarity to Hamill's fan-favorite rendition, marking him as a noteworthy voice actor in the Batman universe.

Kevin Michael Richardson's deep, resonant voice acting as the Joker in The Batman animated series brought a new level of menace to the character. Richardson's performance combined the villain's devilish humor with an intimidating presence, delivering a truly unique take on the iconic role. Memorable episodes, such as "The Laughing Bat" and the Joker's team-up with the Penguin, showcased his interpretation's distinctive flair. Richardson's Joker is widely regarded as an innovative and memorable incarnation that adds to the depth of the character's legacy.

Brief yet memorable, Larry Storch's portrayal of the Joker in the 1960s animated series The Adventures of Batman stands out as the first voice-acted version of the character. Storch's performance captured the playful, lighthearted nature of the era's Batman franchise, providing a whimsical and entertaining experience for viewers. While not as widely known as other Jokers, Storch's early interpretation helped lay the groundwork for future voice actors and remains a significant part of the character's history.

Provided a haunting, unnerving take on the character, Michael Emerson's chilling portrayal of the Joker in the animated film adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns is one of the most terrifying to date. Emerson's sinister voice acting captured the Joker's cold, calculating nature, contrasting sharply with the more flamboyant versions of the character. Memorable scenes, such as his brutal rampage through the amusement park and his final confrontation with Batman, demonstrated Emerson's ability to embody the franchise's darker aspects. Though less prolific than some other Joker portrayals, Emerson's performance has been praised for its unsettling atmosphere and the depth it adds to the villain's complex character.

Christopher Corey Smith's voice acting as the Joker in the video game LEGO Batman: The Movie - DC Superheroes Unite provided a lighthearted, playful take on the classic villain. Smith's performance struck a balance between the character's malevolent nature and the inherently humorous tone of the LEGO universe. Memorable moments, such as his partnership with Lex Luthor and his comical schemes to thwart Batman, showcased Smith's ability to capture the spirit of the Joker in a family-friendly context. Smith's amusing rendition has endeared him to fans and stands out as a unique and entertaining interpretation of the character.

One of the most divisive and controversial portrayals of the Joker of all time, Jared Leto's in Suicide Squad offered a modern, edgy interpretation of the character, complete with tattoos and a distinctive laugh. Leto's performance mixed elements of intimidation, insanity, and dark humor, creating a unique version of the villain that polarized fans and critics alike. Memorable moments, such as his unsettling relationship with Harley Quinn and his rescue mission at the end of the film, showcased Leto's dedication to the role. Despite mixed reactions, Leto's Joker remains a noteworthy addition to the character's complex legacy.

Jason Spisak's voice acting as the Joker in the Young Justice: Outsiders animated series offered a fresh take on the character, showcasing the villain's twisted humor and sense of chaos. Spisak's lively and playful performance infused the character with an unpredictable energy that helped to shape the show's unique atmosphere. Memorable moments such as Joker's confrontation with the Injustice League cemented his place among other iconic portrayals. Though relatively new to the Joker's legacy, Spisak's performance has been well-received by fans and critics for its engaging and entertaining interpretation of the character.

Offering a unique and immersive interactive experience for fans, Anthony Ingruber's voice acting as the Joker in the Batman: The Telltale Series" video game allowed them to directly influence the development of the character. Ingruber's performance captured the whimsical, menacing, and unpredictable essence of the Joker, drawing players into the story and leaving a lasting impression. His portrayal of the Joker's fascinating transformation, which could take different paths based on player choices, added a new level of depth to the character and showcased Ingruber's versatility as a voice actor. While not as widely known as other Jokers, Ingruber's rendition stands out for its engaging, interactive approach to the iconic villain.

Richard Epcar's voice acting as the Joker in several video games, including the crossover fighting game series Injustice, showcased his talent in bringing the character's sinister humor and menacing presence to life. Epcar's performances in the game's storylines displayed his versatility in adapting to different contexts while staying true to the essence of the iconic villain. His memorable lines and interactions with other characters further solidified his place among the pantheon of Joker actors. Epcar's rendition of the Joker has been praised for its engaging and immersive qualities, earning him a dedicated fan base.

Voice acting as the Joker in "The New Batman Adventures" and Batman: The Killing Joke, Jeff Bergman demonstrated his versatility in bringing the character to life, from adapting Mark Hamill's iconic portrayal to crafting his own distinctive spin. Bergman's performances captured the Joker's unsettling humor and menacing presence, adding depth to the character's rich history. Memorable moments from his work include the chilling confrontation with Barbara Gordon in The Killing Joke. Bergman's renditions have been praised for their authenticity and engaging qualities, earning him respect in the world of Batman voice actors.

Jeff Bennett's voice acting as the Joker in the Batman: Brave and the Bold animated series provided a lively, entertaining take on the character, blending elements of past portrayals with a more light-hearted approach. Bennett's performance showcased the Joker's whimsical humor and penchant for chaos, resulting in a memorable and enjoyable interpretation of the villain. Memorable episodes, such as "Emperor Joker!" and "Joker: The Vile and the Villainous!", highlight Bennett's unique contribution to the Joker's legacy. Fans and critics alike appreciate Bennett's distinctive performance as a refreshing and engaging take on the iconic character.

Lennie Weinrib's voice acting as the Joker in the 1970s animated series The New Adventures of Batman imbued the character with a lively, humorous energy that captured the spirit of the era. Weinrib's performance combined elements of Cesar Romero's campiness with a then-modern flair, creating a unique and entertaining version of the villain. While not as widely known as other portrayals, Weinrib's Joker added depth to the character's history and remains a testament to his enduring popularity and adaptability.