Kevin ConroyA defined rich voice actor Batman Generation after generation, dead. He was 66. The actor died Thursday, Warner Bros. announced.
Conroy starred in voice-over accolades Batman: The Animated Series From 1992-96, he continued the role through nearly 60 different productions, including 15 films and 400 episodes of television and video games. In recent years, he has been a fixture on the comic convention circuit.
“Kevin is so much more than just an actor I’ve had the pleasure of acting and directing—he’s been a dear friend for 30+ years, and his compassion and generosity know no bounds,” said Andrea Romano, Director of Casting and Dialogue. “Kevin’s kind heart, happy deep laugh and pure love of life will be with me forever.”
Mark Hamill, who played Conroy’s on-screen foil The Joker, mourned his collaborator in a statement.
“Kevin was perfect,” Hamill recalls. “He was one of my favorite people on the planet and I loved him like a brother. He truly cared about the people around him – his dignity shone through in everything he did. Whenever I saw him or talked to him, my spirits lifted.
Conroy was born in Westbury, New York on November 30, 1955, and grew up in Westport, Connecticut. He studied acting at Juilliard with such notable actors as Christopher Reeve and was roommates with Robin Williams. He worked on stage in the 1980s before appearing in television series. Citizen, Tour of Duty And O’Hara. He also appeared in soaps Look for tomorrow And Alien And there were guest spots Cheers, Murphy Brown, Spencer: For rent And Matlock.
In 1992 his life and career path changed forever Batman: The Animated Series Launched on September 5.
“I remember Mark and I were at WB Sound Studios doing ADR work and we got to watch the opening credits,” Conroy says. said The Hollywood Reporter In 2017. “We hear the opening theme with strings and lush colors and it’s incredibly dramatic. I looked at Mark and said, ‘You know this is what we do?’ He said, ‘No, I’ve flown!’ We both felt part of something very special.
JJ Abrams and the series still resonates 30 years later Batman Joined by filmmaker Matt Reeves Batman: The Animated Series‘Bruce Timm was called in for a new take The Caped CrusaderIt is unknown if Conroy will be involved.
Although Conroy is known operating system, he stepped into the live-action DC universe in 2019 to play Bruce Wayne in the CW’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover story. He recently voiced Batman in a video game Multiverse.
Over the decades, many actors have put their stamp on the voice of Batman, most notably Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, and Ben Affleck, who have received both praise and parody for their live-action renditions. For Conroy, finding a voice was a challenge and a choice that would define his legacy.
“In the beginning, I said, ‘This is the most famous and powerful guy in Gotham. You’re saying he’s wearing a mask and no one knows it’s him? Seriously? There’s got to be more to the disguise,'” Conroy said. THR In 2017. “My template for Two Voices was a 1930s movie Scarlet Pimpernel. I played Bruce Wayne as a quirky playboy to counter Batman’s brooding nature.
Among the crowning moments of his career as Batman was a 1993 animated feature Mask of the Phantasm, which he considered his favorite. It dealt with Bruce Wayne’s unresolved feelings towards his late parents, which Conroy would later say he could relate to in his own tumultuous relationship with his father.
“Andrea came in and gave me a hug when the recording was over.” Conroy said THR In 2018, he voiced a particularly striking scene. “Andrea said, ‘I don’t know where you went [emotionally], but it was a beautiful performance.’ She knew I had drawn something.
“Friend of animals everywhere. Devoted analyst. Total alcohol scholar. Infuriatingly humble food trailblazer.”