DC Database

Arleen Sorkin (b. October 14, 1955 – d.August 24, 2023) was an American actress best known as the voice and inspiration for Harley Quinn in the DC Animated Universe, primarily on Batman: The Animated Series and The New Batman Adventures.

Professional History

Arleen Sorkin was an American actress and a friend of Paul Dini's since college. She first gained media attention for her portrayal of Calliope Jones on the soap opera Days of Our Lives, and went on to play the waitress Geneva on the sitcom Duet, and co-hosted America's Funniest People.

While watching an episode of Days of Our Lives in which Sorkin appeared in a dream sequence as a jester, Dini, who was working on Batman: The Animated Series at the time, modeled the character of Harley Quinn, the Joker's henchwoman, off of her, and asked her to voice the character in the episode "Joker's Favor". The positive response to Harley led to Sorkin returning in future episodes, and reprising the role in The Batman/Superman Movie, The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, Justice League, and more.

Harley Quinn eventually made her way to the comics, and has since become one of the most popular characters in the DC Universe. Sorkin also voiced Harley in the video games Batman: Arkham Asylum and DC Universe Online before retiring from the role. She passed away in 2023.


Work History


Acting Credits

Batman: The Animated Series 1992-1995 Harley Quinn
     "Joker's Favor" September 11, 1992 Harley Quinn
     "Almost Got 'Im" November 10, 1992 Harley Quinn
     "The Laughing Fish" January 10, 1993 Harley Quinn
     "Harley and Ivy" January 18, 1993 Harley Quinn
     "The Man Who Killed Batman" February 1, 1993 Harley Quinn
     "Trial" May 16, 1994 Harley Quinn
     "Harlequinade" May 23, 1994 Harley Quinn
     "Harley's Holiday" October 15, 1994 Harley Quinn
     "Lock-Up" November 19, 1994 Harley Quinn
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm December 25, 1993 Ms. Bambi
Superman: The Animated Series 1996-2000 Harley Quinn
     "World's Finest, Part I" October 4, 1997 Harley Quinn
     "World's Finest, Part II" October 4, 1997 Harley Quinn
     "World's Finest, Part III" October 4, 1997 Harley Quinn
The Batman/Superman Movie October 4, 1997 Harley Quinn
The New Batman Adventures 1997-1999 Harley Quinn
     "Holiday Knights" September 13, 1997 Harley Quinn
     "Joker's Millions" February 21, 1998 Harley Quinn
     "Over the Edge" May 23, 1998 Harley Quinn
     "Girl's Night Out" October 17, 1998 Harley Quinn
     "Beware the Creeper" November 7, 1998 Harley Quinn
     "Mad Love" January 16, 1999 Harley Quinn
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker December 12, 2000 Harley Quinn
Gotham Girls 2000-2002 Harley Quinn
     "The Vault" July 27, 2000 Harley Quinn
     "Trick or Trick, Part One" August 24, 2000 Harley Quinn
     "Trick or Trick, Part Two" August 24, 2000 Harley Quinn
     "More Than One Way" October 5, 2000 Harley Quinn
     "Pave Paradise" October 19, 2000 Harley Quinn
     "The Three Babes" November 16, 2000 Harley Quinn
     "The Gardener's Apprentice" November 30, 2000 Harley Quinn
     "Lady-X" December 14, 2000 Harley Quinn
     "Miss Un-Congeniality" June 19, 2001 Harley Quinn
     "Strategery" July 3, 2001 Harley Quinn
     "Baby Boom" July 17, 2001 Harley Quinn
     "Catsitter" August 28, 2001 Harley Quinn
     "Gotham Noir" September 11, 2001 Harley Quinn
     "Scout's Dis-Honor" September 25, 2001 Harley Quinn
     "I'm Badgirl" October 9, 2001 Harley Quinn
     "Ms.-ing in Action" July 16, 2002 Harley Quinn
     "Gotham in Pink" July 30, 2002 Harley Quinn
     "Hear Me Roar" August 13, 2002 Harley Quinn
     "Gotham in Blue" August 27, 2002 Harley Quinn
     "A Cat in the Hand" September 10, 2002 Harley Quinn
     "Jailhouse Wreck" September 24, 2002 Harley Quinn
     "Honor Among Thieves" October 8, 2002 Harley Quinn
     "No, I'm Batgirl" October 22, 2002 Harley Quinn
     "Signal Fires" November 5, 2002 Harley Quinn
     "Cold Hands, Cold Heart" November 19, 2002 Harley Quinn
Batman: Vengeance September 18, 2001 Harley Quinn
Static Shock 2000-2004 Harley Quinn
     "Hard as Nails" January 25, 2003 Harley Quinn
Justice League 2001-2004 Harley Quinn
     "Wild Cards, Part I" December 6, 2003 Harley Quinn
     "Wild Cards, Part II" December 6, 2003 Harley Quinn
Batman: Arkham Asylum August 25, 2009 Harley Quinn
DC Universe Online January 11, 2011 Harley Quinn


External Links

References