Actor Kevin
Conroy, the most beloved voice of Batman in the animated history of the
character, died Thursday at age 66 after a short battle with cancer.
A noted
stage, film and television performer, Conroy rose to unparalleled voice acting fame
as the title character of the landmark Batman: The Animated Series
(1992-1996). He would establish never-to-be-broken records as the quintessential
voice of Batman, bringing the super hero to animated life in nearly 60
different productions, including 15 films – highlighted by the acclaimed Batman:
Mask of the Phantasm; 15 animated series, spanning nearly 400 episodes and
more than 100 hours of television; as well as two dozen video games. Conroy was
also featured as a live-action Bruce Wayne in the Arrowverse’s 2019-2020 “Crisis
on Infinite Earths” crossover event.
In recent
years, Conroy was a notable fixture on the Con circuit, greeting fans with the
same warmth, respect and enthusiasm they reserved for him.
“Kevin was
far more than an actor whom I had the pleasure of casting and directing – he
was a dear friend for 30+ years whose kindness and generous spirit knew no
boundaries,” said Emmy Award winning casting/dialogue director Andrea Romano.
“Kevin’s warm heart, delightfully deep laugh and pure love of life will be with
me forever.”
“Kevin was
perfection,” recalled Mark Hamill, who redefined the Joker playing opposite
Conroy’s Batman. “He was one of my favorite people on the planet, and I loved
him like a brother. He truly cared for the people around him – his decency
shone through everything he did. Every time I saw him or spoke with him, my
spirits were elevated.”
Born on November 30, 1955 in Westbury, New York, and raised in Westport, CT, Conroy began establishing himself in the acting community while under the tutelage of John Houseman at The Julliard School – where he studied alongside the likes of Christopher Reeve, Frances Conroy, and his roommate Robin Williams.
Conroy
began his career following his love of the theatre, keeping him on stage in both
New York and at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. The actor received rave
reviews for his starring performances in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
at the Public Theater, Eastern Standard on Broadway, Arthur Miller’s The
Last Yankee, and in the title role of Hamlet at the 1984 New York
Shakespeare Festival. In addition, he performed in films and television – most
notably in the mid-1980s when he had recurring roles on Dynasty, Tour
of Duty and Ohara; successful runs on soap operas Search for Tomorrow
and Another World; and guest roles on popular series like Cheers,
Murphy Brown, Spenser: For Hire and Matlock.
But it was
his incomparable, nuanced performance as the voice of Batman that put Conroy on
the map – and the fans’ radar – when Batman: The Animated Series debuted
on September 5, 1992. From that point on, Conroy would forever be linked to the
Dark Knight – in TV series like Batman Beyond and Justice League/Justice
League Unlimited; films ranging from Batman: the Killing Joke and Batman:
Gotham Knight to Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero and Batman:
Mystery of the Batwoman; and more than two dozen video games.
“Kevin was
a brilliant actor,” Hamill said. “For several generations, he has been the
definitive Batman. It was one of those perfect scenarios where they got the
exact right guy for the exact right part, and the world was better for it. His
rhythms and subtleties, tones and delivery – that all also helped inform my
performance. He was the ideal partner – it was such a complementary, creative
experience. I couldn’t have done it without him. He will always be my Batman.”
“Kevin
brought a light with him everywhere,” said Paul Dini, producer of Batman:
The Animated Series, “whether in the recording booth giving it his all, or
feeding first responders during 9/11, or making sure every fan who ever waited
for him had a moment with their Batman. A hero in every sense of the word.
Irreplaceable. Eternal.”
Conroy is
survived by his husband Vaughn C. Williams, sister Trisha Conroy, and brother
Tom Conroy. Memorial services are pending.
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