DC’s Joker is one of the most iconic supervillains in comic book history. The Joker is known for his chaotic nature, dark humor, and twisted morality. The character is famous for being Batman’s archenemy, a role he has dutifully played for eight decades. Interestingly, the Joker was first introduced in the first Batman comic book, published on April 25, 1940. However, it wasn’t until 1966 that the supervillain made his debut in film and television.
Over half a century later, the Joker has appeared in numerous film adaptations of the Batman franchise, becoming a symbol of madness and an unforgettable counterpart to Batman’s justice-driven persona. Since then, several actors have embraced the darkness of the supervillain, contributing to the Joker’s enduring legacy as one of cinema’s most complex villains. Here are the actors who have played the Joker in a live-action movie.
Cesar Romero
With the success of the 1966 Batman TV series, a feature-length film of the same name was released in the same year. Most of the cast members from the TV show, including Cesar Romero, reprised their roles in the movie. The 1966 Batman became the first feature-length film to feature the iconic Batman superhero and the Joker. Actor Adam West portrayed Batman in the movie. Cesar Romero portrayed the Joker in a flashy and campy style, bringing a theatrical energy to the character that matched the overall tone of the 1960s Batman.
Romero’s Joker was a playful, over-the-top villain who loved pranks and flamboyant crimes. His Joker leaned heavily into humor rather than menace. One of Cesar Romero’s unique quirks as the Joker was his famous refusal to shave his mustache for the role. As such, make-up artists had to apply the Joker’s iconic white face paint over it. This created a memorable and slightly absurd look that became a part of Joker’s legacy. Although Cesar Romero’s Joker may not have been as sinister or menacing as modern interpretations of the supervillain, Romero brought a distinct charisma that still resonates with fans of classic superhero cinema.
Hugo Blick
Before British actor Hugo E. Blick portrayed the younger Jack Napier/The Joker, David U. Hodges also portrayed the character. However, Hodges’s portrayal appeared in a flashback scene as a young Joker in Joel Schumacher’s 1995 Batman Forever. For better context, it was the movie that starred Val Kilmer as Bruce Wayne/Batman, with Tommy Lee Jones portraying Harvey Dent/Two-Face. Although a brief appearance, it’s a worthy mention since the character was featured in a live-action movie.
Hugo E. Blick starred as the young Jack Napier/The Joker in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman movie. Like David U. Hodges, Blick’s portrayal was in a flashback, depicting the moment when the character first encounters a young Bruce Wayne. In this short but pivotal scene, Blick’s version of Jack Napier embodies a youthful and sinister vibe. It perfectly foreshadowed his ruthlessness that eventually transformed into the movie’s Joker. Blick’s appearance adds to the film’s backstory by showcasing the connection between Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) and the Joker.
Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of Jack Napier, who eventually becomes the Joker, is widely celebrated for its theatrical and darkly comedic take on the iconic villain. Nicholson brought his unique charisma to the role. Combining his trademark mischievous charm with a sinister, unpredictable edge perfectly matched the film’s dark, gothic tone. Jack Nicholson’s Joker was a flamboyant gangster.
Jack Napier was a mobster who, after a traumatic chemical accident, took on the Joker persona to take over Gotham City. Unlike Cesar Romero’s Joker, Nicholson’s Joker combines humor and menace. While retaining a strong sense of humor, he delights in chaos. Jack Nicholson’s performance is often credited with setting the standard for cinematic supervillains, balancing the line between comic-book energy and genuine menace.
Heath Ledger
The late Heath Ledger joined the cast of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy as the Joker in its second installment. Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker is widely celebrated as one of cinema’s most complex and intense villain performances. His take on the Joker was deeply unsettling, blending chaos and intelligence with an unpredictable, violent edge that captivated audiences. In the billion-dollar-grossing The Dark Knight movie, Heath Ledger’s interpretation of the Joker deviated from earlier, more theatrical portrayals.
Ledger fully committed to the role, reportedly spending weeks isolated in a hotel room. He experimented with voice and mannerisms to create the Joker’s unique, unsettling demeanor. Every detail, from his unnerving facial tics to his oddly charismatic speeches, contributed to the Joker being a master of chaos. Heath Ledger’s Joker wasn’t only an adaptation of a comic book villain but became a cultural icon. Ledger received a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance.
Jared Leto
With the creation of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) in 2013, a new actor was cast to portray the iconic Joker. American actor and musician Jared Leto portrayed the Joker in the DCEU. Leto was initially set to debut as the Joker in Zack Snyder’s 2016 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. However, Leto’s scenes were cut from the movie. Jared Leto made his debut as the Joker in David Ayer’s 2016 Suicide Squad.
Leto’s Joker portrayal received a highly mixed reception. He took a unique approach to the character, aiming for a modernized, gangster-like Joker. His Joker had tattoos, wore flashy jewelry, and had a chaotic personality. While Jared Leto’s Joker was criticized as underwhelming and inconsistent, others appreciated his attempt to create a fresh interpretation. Leto reprised the role in a non-speaking appearance in Cathy Yan’s 2020 Birds of Prey and Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021).
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix is currently the face of the iconic DC supervillain, Joker, on the big screen today. Phoenix’s portrayal of the Joker was widely acclaimed for its intense, unique, and unsettling depth. Joaquin Phoenix made his debut as the Joker in Todd Phillips’s 2019 Joker movie. Unlike previous portrayals that leaned into the Joker’s chaotic villainy or dark humor, Phoenix’s Joker was a raw, psychologically layered character study. Phoenix introduces the character as Arthur Fleck, a struggling comedian with mental health issues who is gradually pushed over the edge by societal neglect and personal trauma.
He portrayed the character as sympathetic and terrifying, with his performance notable for his physical transformation. Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker’s laughter also stood out, portraying it as a painful, involuntary condition rather than a sign of joy or insanity. Unsurprisingly, Joaquin Phoenix’s performance earned him an Oscar nomination and win, solidifying his version as one of the most iconic in cinematic history. Although the 2019 film was a billion-dollar hit, its 2024 sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, in which Phoenix reprised his role as the Joker, was a critical and commercial failure.
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