Kevin Conroy, who voiced the iconic Batman character in numerous animated films, TV series episodes and video games since the 1990s, has died from cancer at the age of 66, DC Comics announced Friday.
The company called him “the most beloved voice of Batman in the animated history of the character,” and fans and colleagues were taking to social media to mourn him Friday, one day after his death.
Conroy was born in Westbury, New York, and studied acting at Juilliard alongside soon-to-be famous peers Christopher Reeve and Robin Williams. He debuted as the voice of the caped crusader in “Batman: The Animated Series” in 1992, and went on to voice the comic book character in 15 films and another 15 animated series — spanning nearly 400 episodes — as well as two dozen video games.
“Kevin was perfection,” said actor Mark Hamill, who voiced the Joker opposite Conroy’s crime fighter in the animated series. “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.”
“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,” Hamill added. “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.”
Warner Bros. Animation said Conroy’s “iconic performance of Batman will forever stand among the greatest portrayals of the Dark Knight in any medium. We send our warmest thoughts to his loved ones and join fans around the world in honoring his legacy.”
