Arleen Sorkin, known to animation and DC fans as the original voice and inspiration for fan-favorite character Harley Quinn, died Thursday, August 24 at age 67. The actress also graced screens for over 25 years off and on as the recurring character Calliope Jones on the ABC soap Days of Our Lives.
A representative for Sorkin’s husband, television writer-producer Christopher Lloyd (Modern Family), confirmed to EW that her cause of death was multiple sclerosis — health problems had kept the actress from working in recent years. The pair married in 1995 and had two sons together. The following statement was provided:
“We will always remember our dear Arleen for her immense generosity of spirit. Talented, yes, and dogged, too, as evidenced by her tenacious, decades-long fight with a terrible disease. But more than that, she was a loving presence in the lives of her two boys, Eli and Owen; her mother, Joyce; her brothers, Robert and Arthur; and the countless other children, old and young, whom she took under her beautiful wing over the years.
“It’s a sad day for us, but a joyous one, too, knowing how many people today are summoning her memory and smiling.”
Mark Hamill, who played opposite Sorkin as the voice of The Joker in Bruce Timm and Paul Dini’s classic noir-inspired saga Batman: The Animated Series, shared a memorial post to his former co-star, writing that she was “not just a wonderful talent, but a truly wonderful person.”
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. 💔 pic.twitter.com/g1Mb3BWoKn
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) August 27, 2023
Sorkin was born October 14, 1955 in Washington, DC, and began her entertainment career in cabaret as a member of comedy troupe The High-Heeled Women through the 1970s and ’80s. She began her long-running, eccentric role on Days of Our Lives in 1984. In fact, it was Calliope’s appearance as a jester in a dream sequence on the show that inspired B:TAS co-creator Dini to model a moll-ish henchwoman/foil for Joker on a classic comedia dell’arte Harlequin.
Dini and Sorkin were college pals, and the producer applied many of her characteristics to the new villainess — everything from her name, “Harleen” (Dr. Harleen Quinzel) to her mannerism and personality as a “very snappy, wisecracking, bubbly blonde” and Jewish identity. Sorkin read for the character in her normal Brooklyn accent with a dash of Yiddish. Dini’s rough design was finessed for animation by series co-creator Bruce Timm, who added the bold red and black color scheme. The combination proved such a hit that the original walk-on character for one episode (1992’s “Joker’s Favor” became a series regular and one an immensely popular part of the DCU.
Tara Strong, who took over voice duties for Harley in Justice League Action and DC Super Hero Girls, shared her credit to Sorkin, “the inspiration & the heart & soul of this iconic character.”
Without this gorgeous, talented goddess, #HarleyQuinn would have never existed. She was the inspiration & the heart & soul of this iconic character. I was in awe as #Batgirl watching her alongside @MarkHamill & Kevin. Sending love to her family #RipArleenSorkin ❤️🖤 🦇 pic.twitter.com/8zQdHsyOyM
— tara strong (@tarastrong) August 26, 2023
Sorkin went on to voice Harley Quinn in the critically acclaimed B:TAS movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) and future Batman animated series and videogames, as well as other DC toons like Superman: The Animated Series, Gotham Girls, Static Shock and Justice League. Her most recent credits as the character were in the DC Universe Online and DC Universe Online: The Last Laugh games in 2011 and 2012.
Also a producer and writer, Sorkin won a Peabody Award in 2011 for the Bhutto episode of documentary series Independent Lens, shared with Jessica Hernández. She was twice Emmy-nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress for Days of Our Lives, and received a nod for her VO work in Batman: Arkham Asylum from the Spike Video Game Awards.
Sorkin is credited with writing two episodes of the ’90s animated classic Tiny Toon Adventures and the Jennifer Aniston romcom Picture Perfect. Her notable live-action roles also include Geneva on the romantic ’80s sitcom Duet and its spinoff, Open House.
Sorkin is survived by husband Christopher Lloyd and their sons, Eli and Owen. The family requests that any donations in her honor be made to the National MS Society.
[Sources: Hollywood Reporter, EW]
