Arleen Sorkin, best known for her role as Calliope Jones on the NBC soap opera “Days of Our Lives” and as the original voice of Harley Quinn in DC Comics, has passed away at the age of 67.
According to a source from The Hollywood Reporter, Sorkin died on Thursday. In recent years, she had been dealing with health issues that prevented her from continuing her acting career.
James Gunn, the director of DC’s “The Suicide Squad,” paid tribute to Sorkin on Instagram. He wrote, “Rest in Peace, Arleen Sorkin, the incredibly talented original voice of Harley Quinn, who helped to create the character so many of us love. Love to her family and friends.” Gunn’s post was accompanied by a photo of Sorkin’s iconic portrayal of Harley Quinn.
Mark Hamill, who often recorded his lines as the Joker opposite Sorkin’s Harley Quinn, also expressed his sadness at her passing. In a tweet, he said, “Devastated to learn we’ve lost the brilliant Arleen Sorkin. Not just a wonderful talent, but a truly wonderful person. I’m grateful not only to have worked with her, but to have been her friend. Sending my heartfelt condolences to her family & loved ones.”
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Harley Quinn was initially intended to be a one-off character when she debuted on “Batman: The Animated Series” in 1992. However, her popularity soared, and Sorkin’s portrayal resonated with audiences. She returned to voice the character in eight more episodes of the animated series and reprised the role for video games, animated movies, and other animated shows over the years. Sorkin’s portrayal of Harley Quinn helped solidify the character’s place in pop culture.
The creation of the character itself was inspired by Sorkin’s persona as a snappy, wisecracking blonde. Paul Dini, the co-creator of Harley Quinn and a writer for “Batman,” knew Sorkin from their college days and cast her in the role after seeing her on an episode of “Days of Our Lives,” where she played a harlequin in a dream sequence.
In a 2016 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sorkin spoke about finding Harley Quinn’s voice. She mentioned that she would sing “Adelaide’s Lament” from “Guys and Dolls” in the car on her way to work, and that helped her get into character. Sorkin described Harley Quinn’s voice as an even more extreme version of Adelaide.
Over the years, Harley Quinn has become an internationally recognized and beloved character, with Margot Robbie portraying her in various live-action films.
Tara Strong, another actress who has voiced Harley Quinn in different iterations, referred to Sorkin as “the inspiration and the heart and soul of this iconic character” in a tweet honoring her memory.
Born on October 14, 1955, in Washington, D.C., Sorkin had a diverse acting career. In addition to her work on “Days of Our Lives” and as Harley Quinn, she appeared in TV shows like “Duet,” “Open House,” “Dream On,” and “Frasier.” She co-hosted “America’s Funniest People” from 1990-92 alongside Dave Coulier. Sorkin also wrote and produced TV shows, including “How to Marry a Billionaire” and “Fired Up,” and co-wrote the 1997 film “Picture Perfect.” She even contributed as a writer to “Tiny Toon Adventures.”
Sorkin is survived by her husband, producer-writer Christopher Lloyd, and their two children.
Arleen Sorkin’s legacy as the original voice of Harley Quinn and her contributions to the world of television and entertainment will not be forgotten. Her talent and the indelible mark she left on popular culture will continue to inspire and entertain audiences for years to come.
