Kevin Conroy, the beloved voice of the animated version of Batman, has died after a short battle with cancer. He was 66.
A noted stage, film, and television performer, Conroy rose to unparalleled voice acting fame as the title character of the landmark Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1996). He would establish never-to-be-broken records as the quintessential voice of Batman, bringing the superhero to animated life in nearly 60 different productions, including 15 films - highlighted by the acclaimed Batman: Mask of the Phantasm; 15 animated series, spanning nearly 400 episodes and more than 100 hours of television; as well as two dozen video games. Conroy was also featured as a live-action Bruce Wayne in the Arrowverse's 2019-2020 "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover event.
He was also a popular fixture on the Con circuit, who greeted his fans with warmth, respect, and enthusiasm.
"Kevin was far more than an actor whom I had the pleasure of casting and directing - he was a dear friend for 30+ years whose kindness and generous spirit knew no boundaries," said Emmy Award-winning casting/dialogue director Andrea Romano. "Kevin's warm heart, delightfully deep laugh, and pure love of life will be with me forever."
"Kevin was perfection," recalled Mark Hamill, who redefined the Joker playing opposite Conroy's Batman. "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."
He added, "Kevin was a brilliant actor," Hamill said. "For several generations, he has been the definitive Batman. 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. 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."
Conroy was born November 30, 1955, in Westbury New York. He began his career in the theater and even studied alongside Christopher Reeve, Frances Conroy, and his roommate Robin Williams at Julliard.
It was his incomparable, nuanced performance as the voice of Batman that put Conroy on the map - and the fans' radar - when Batman: The Animated Series debuted on September 5, 1992. From that point on, Conroy would forever be linked to the Dark Knight - in TV series like Batman Beyond and Justice League/Justice League Unlimited; films ranging from Batman: The Killing Joke and Batman: Gotham Knight to Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero and Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman; and more than two dozen video games.
Conroy is survived by his husband Vaughn C. Williams, sister Trisha Conroy, and brother Tom Conroy. Memorial services are pending.
