Arlene Sorkin
De Cercone/Everett Collection
Arlene Sorkin, who played Calliope Jones on the NBC TV series days of our lives He served as the original voice of DC Comics character Harley Quinn, and has died. She was 67 years old.
A source said Sorkin died Thursday Hollywood Reporter. Health problems have kept her out of acting in recent years.
DC President James Gunn wrote on Instagram Saturday: “Rest in peace, Arlen Sorkin, the talented original voice of Harley Quinn, who helped create the character so many of us love. Love to her family and friends.”
Mark Hamill, who often recorded his lines as the Joker opposite Sorkin, also remembered her in a tribute, writing: “We were devastated to learn we’ve lost the incredible Arlene Sorkin. Not just an amazing talent, but a truly amazing person. I’m grateful not only to have worked with her, But because I was her friend, I send my heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.”
Harley Quinn was supposed to be a one-episode character when she first appeared Batman: The Animated Series in the 1992 episode “Joker Favor”, in which she is introduced as Joker’s henchman Hamill.
Paul Dini, co-creator of Harley Quinn W Batman A writer, she was a college friend of Sorkin’s and he said he was inspired to star in her after she got sick at home one day and saw her on an episode of days of our liveswhere she played the clown in a dream sequence.
“I thought of a character like her at the time, who was the charismatic and wise blonde,” Denny said. THR in 2016.
The character proved successful, and Sorkin returned for eight more episodes and reprized the role for video games, animated films, and animated series over the years, including Gotham Girls, Justice League, Batman Superman: World’s Finest and more.
“I was singing in the car on my way to work – Adelaide’s Lament from Guys and dolls. “When I got there, I was ready,” Sorkin said. THR in 2016. “Adelaide Min Guys and dolls He’s someone I’ve always wanted to play. So it was very easy for me to find Harley’s voice. But I made it more extreme.”
Harley Quinn has grown to be internationally known, with Margot Robbie portraying her on the big screen.
Tara Strong, who has voiced Harley Quinn in other versions, Sorkin called “The inspiration, heart and soul of this iconic character.”
Born October 14, 1955, in Washington, Sorkin worked in a stand-up comedy troupe and cabaret performer in the 1970s and 1980s, then played Jones in days of our lives From 1984 to 1990, with the return of contracts in the years 1992, 2001, 2006 and 2010.
Her other acting credits include duet, open house, In the dream, Ted and Venus, I don’t buy kisses anymore And Fraser. From 1990 to 1992 she co-hosted The funniest people in America Along with Dave Collier.
Sorkin has also worked as a writer and producer on television shows How to marry a billionaire And caughtHe co-wrote the 1997 movie Picture perfect and wrote two episodes for Little Toon Adventures.
Among the survivors are her husband, producer and writer Christopher Lloyd, and their two children.
“Lifelong beer expert. General travel enthusiast. Social media buff. Zombie maven. Communicator.”