Whatever happened to the cast of Batman: The Animated Series?

Are you constantly kept awake by the burning question: Whatever happened to the cast of ground-breaking animated show, Batman: The Animated Series?

Well, prepare to rest easy, for today I have an answer to that very question!

From the magnificent heroes, to the despicable villains, this post gives a rundown of what the core cast of Batman: The Animated Series went on to do following the conclusion of the series.

Here we go…

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Kevin Conroy – Batman/Bruce Wayne

After taking on the mantle of Batman in Batman: The Animated Series, Conroy continued to maintain the Batman legacy through voice-over roles in games, TV shows and movies (both small screen and big screen). Some of these projects were a continuation of the Animated Series (Batman Beyond, Justice League: Unlimited etc), whilst others were unconnected projects such as Justice League: Doom (2012), Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014), or guest spots on shows such as Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

During the late ‘00s and into the ‘10s, Conroy amassed a new following, thanks to his voice work on the Arkham gaming series: Arkham Asylum (2009), Arkham City (2011) and Arkham Knight (2015). He also voiced Batman for DC Universe Online (2011), Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013) and Injustice 2 (2017).

In later years, Conroy reprised the role of Batman for animated movies, The Killing Joke – opposite his Batman: The Animated Series co-star, Mark Hamill – and Batman: Harley Quinn (2017). The actor also voiced Batman for the animated show, Justice League Action, and played the role of Bruce Wayne (this time in live-action), for the Arrowverse crossover, Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Sadly, on November 10th 2022, Kevin Conroy passed away from cancer. With his passing he left behind a huge body of work, and for a whole generation of fans he will forever be Batman.

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Loren Lester – Robin/Dick Grayson

Prior to the role of Robin on Batman: The Animated Series, Loren Lester was quite a seasoned voice actor, having provided voice over duties on such shows as G.I. Joe, Defenders of the Earth and New Kids on the Block. After his stint on Batman, Lester voiced characters in Men in Black: The Series, Extreme Ghostbusters and Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, before taking on the role of Nightwing (the adult version of Robin), for The New Batman Adventures.

Outside of animation, Lester has appeared on numerous TV shows, including Joey, Desperate Housewives, Criminal Minds, The West Wing and Bones as well as various films, including American Wedding (2003), Red Eye (2005) and 17 Again (2009). He’s even found time to provide voice work for a bunch of computer games, including the 2015 game, Batman: Arkham Knight, where he took on the role of Karl Langstrom aka Man-Bat.

Lester returned to the role of Dick Grayson for the 2017 animated movie, Batman: Harley Quinn.

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Efrem Zimbalist Jr – Alfred Pennyworth

Long before he voiced Bruce Wayne’s incredibly loyal butler, Alfred Pennyworth, Efrem Zimbalist Jr had a very successful acting career, appearing in various films and TV shows. TV credits alone included The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Rawhide, Fantasy Island, Remington Steele and Zorro.

After appearing on Batman: The Animated Series in the early ‘90s, Zimbalist Jr continued to appear on TV, with regular roles in Babylon 5, Iron Man, Gargoyles and Spider-Man (he voiced fan-favourite character, Doctor Octopus). He then continued his acting into the ‘00s, even reprising the role of Alfred for Batman spin-off shows, Justice League and Static Shock.

In May 2014, at the age of 95, Efrem Zimbalist Jr died of natural causes.

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Bob Hastings – Commissioner Gordon

Bob Hastings, like many on this list, enjoyed a strong career in TV, providing voice over work on various cartoons and making appearances in popular shows such as Wonder Woman, The Incredible Hulk, Quincy M.E., The Love Boat, The Rockford Files, Ironside and The Munsters. During the 1960s, Hastings was perhaps best known for his role as Lt. Elroy Carpenter on McHale’s Navy.

In 1992, Hastings took on the role of Commissioner Gordon on Batman: The Animated Series, a role that he continued for the next decade in the various Batman spin-off shows, including Superman, The New Batman Adventures, Gotham Girls and Static Shock. In 2003 Hastings reprised the role of Commissioner Gordon for computer game, Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu and for direct-to-DVD movie, Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman.

Mystery of the Batwoman marked the final time Hastings would play the part of Batman’s trusted friend and his last acting role was in 2010 in the video game, Mafia II.

In June 2014, at the age of 89, Bob Hastings died of prostate cancer.

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Robert Costanzo – Harvey Bullock

Even if you’re not familiar with his name, you’ll recognise Robert Costanzo because he has appeared in countless TV shows and films over the years, perhaps most notably NYPD Blue, Total Recall (1990) and Die Hard 2 (1990). He also played the role of Joey Tribbiani Sr in the first season of Friends.

Since appearing in Batman: The Animated Series as Detective Harvey Bullock, Costanzo has continued to appear in TV shows and films, ranging from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Murder She Wrote, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Kenan & Kel and Party of Five, to Caroline in the City, Teen Angel, Rugrats, ER, Family Guy and much, much more.

With regards to Batman, Costanzo returned to the role of Harvey Bullock for Batman spin-off shows, The New Batman Adventures and Superman, as well as direct-to-DVD movie, Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003). In 2013, Costanzo voiced Bullock one more time in computer game, Batman: Arkham Origins (2013).

More recent roles have included a part in horror comedy, Beast Mode (2016) and a guest spot on TV series, 2 Broke Girls. He also appeared in movies, Snowbird (2020) and Dutch (2021).

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Melissa Gilbert – Batgirl/Barbara Gordon

Although Batgirl’s role on Batman: The Animated Series was limited to only a handful of appearances, it was still memorable and included the popular stories, Shadow of the Bat and Batgirl Returns. Here Batgirl was voiced by none other than Melissa Gilbert, who many will remember as little Laura Ingalls on the hugely successful TV show, Little House on the Prairie.

But it’s not just Batgirl and Laura Ingalls that have defined Gilbert’s career. Since getting her big break in the 1960s, Gilbert has had a regular flow of work, appearing in various movies and TV shows, including Babylon 5, The Outer Limits, Touched by an Angel, 7th Heaven and Nip/Tuck, to name a few. In 2015, Gilbert appeared in an episode of The Night Shift.

Outside of her TV work, Gilbert has been involved in politics, having thrown her hat into the ring for Michigan’s 8th congressional district in the 2016 elections to the United States House of Representatives. However, she was forced to pull out of the campaign due to health reasons.

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Mark Hamill – The Joker

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Mark Hamill was best known for a role in a small sci-fi movie called Star Wars (1977). Have you heard of it?

Oh how I jest, of course you’ve heard of Star Wars, which is why I don’t need to tell you that Hamill recently reprised the role of Luke Skywalker for The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017). But did you know that between Star Wars movies, Hamill has had a very successful career in television? Well he has.

Outside of his role as the Joker on Batman: The Animated Series and its various spin-off shows, Hamill has provided voiceover work on countless cartoons including Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four, The Simpsons, Phantom 2040, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Totally Spies, Family Guy, Robot Chicken and Ultimate Spider-Man, among others. Fans of The Flash will have also seen Hamill take on the part of the Trickster in two different versions of the show: the ‘90s Flash and the series and the Arrowverse Flash.

Similar to Kevin Conroy, Hamill’s work on Batman: The Animated Series never really left him and he’s continued to play the Joker on and off in various Batman movies and games, including the Arkham series of games and animated movie, The Killing Joke (2016). More recently, Hamill voiced various characters on Justice League Action, including, yep you guessed it – the Joker!

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Harley Quinn – Arleen Sorkin

And here we have a very important cast member for a very specific reason: Without Arleen Sorkin there would be no Harley Quinn.

This is a fact.

Not only did Sorkin voice the character of Harley Quinn on Batman: The Animated Series, she also provided the inspiration for the character. You see, Sorkin is good friends with Harley Quinn co-creator, Paul Dini, so when Dini was trying to come up with a character who could act as a foil for the Joker, Sorkin was at the forefront of his mind. No Sorkin = no Quinn.

So what has Sorkin been up to as of late? Well, since appearing on Batman: The Animated Series during the ‘90s, Sorkin’s acting work was few and far between, and mostly centred on guest spots as Harley on the various Batman spin-off shows as well as a few video games including Arkham Asylum and DC Universe Online.

Outside of Batman, Sorkin’s most prolific job was as co-writer on the 1997 Jennifer Aniston film, Picture Perfect. She has since retired from show business.

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And now for some of the other cast members…

Diana Muldaur – Dr. Leslie Thompkins

Although she only appeared in five episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, her role as Dr. Leslie Thompkins won Diana Muldaur a legion of fans. Nowadays the actress pops up on the convention circuit where she will sign autographs and talk about her extensive TV career, which included the role of Dr. Katherine Pulaski on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Lloyd Bochner – Mayor Hamilton Hill

Following his role on Batman: The Animated Series and follow-up show, The New Batman Adventures, Bochner appeared in a couple of projects including the TV movie, Before I say Goodbye. In 2005, the actor passed away.

Kate Mulgrew – Red Claw

After voicing the villainous Red Claw for three episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, Kate Mulgrew went on to appear in a little ol’ show called Star Trek: Voyager, playing Captain Janeway, and another little show called Orange is the New Black. Have you heard of them?

In 2021, Mulgrew reprised the role of Captain Janeway for the animated show, Star Trek: Prodigy.

Adrienne Barbeau – Selina Kyle/Catwoman

Jeez, what hasn’t Adrienne Barbeau done since Batman: The Animated Series? The actress is very, very busy and has a long list of credits to her name appearing in TV shows, movies, shorts and video games. She is also a regular on the convention circuit.

John Glover – Edward Nygma/Riddler

Another busy bee, Glover has had an extensive career since completing work on Batman, appearing in shows ranging from The Blacklist and Agent Carter to The Goodwife and Perception. Regardless of what role he takes on, for many genre fans Glover is perhaps recognised mostly for his lengthy stint on Smallville, as Lionel Luthor.

Diane Pershing – Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy

Since the conclusion of Batman: The Animated Series, Pershing reprised the role of Poison Ivy for web series, Gotham Girls as well as animated shows, Static Shock and Justice League. Her most recent credit was voice over work for the 2010 video game, Fallout: New Vegas.

Roddy McDowall – Jervis Tetch/Mad Hatter

Roddy McDowall continued acting after Batman: The Animated Series in projects such as A Bug’s Life (1998) and Godzilla: The Series. The actor passed away at the age of 70 in 1998.

Ron Perlman – Matt Hagen/Clayface

As if I need to tell you what Ron Perlman has been up to since his Batman days. Two Hellboy movies, a long-standing stint on Sons of Anarchy, various voice over roles (The Book of Life, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Adventure Time, Transformers: Power of the Primes) and so on. The actor has various projects in pre-production.

David Warner – Ra’s al Ghul

Manchester born Warner was a well-known face on TV and film prior to voicing Ra’s Al Ghul, and he continued to have an extensive career in various TV shows (Wallander, Ripper Street etc) after his stint on Batman: The Animated Series. His last movie role was in the 2018 Disney film, Mary Poppins Returns, but he continued voice acting in cartoons and audio dramas up until his death in July 2022.

Paul Williams – Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin

Another actor with an extensive career, both before and after Batman, Williams is constantly in work, notably as a writer and lyricist. Recent projects have included an episode of Black Mirror, and in 2020 he voiced Brainiac in Superman: Red Son.

Richard Moll – Harvey Dent/Two-Face

Richard Moll’s post-Batman career is very long. Very, very long. The actor has appeared in various TV shows and TV movies, including Whispers and Shadows.

Mathew Valencia – Tim Drake/Robin II

Following his turn as Tim Drake in The New Batman Adventures, Valencia reprised the role for spin-off movie, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. The actor’s most recent acting credit was in 2002 for an episode of As Told by Ginger.

Tara Strong – Barbara Gordon/Batgirl

And finally, Tara Strong is another very, VERY busy human being. Her voice-over work is extensive (and legendary), having taken on parts in Teen Titans, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and Ben 10, amongst many, MANY others.

If you name a cartoon, chances are that Strong has provided a voice in the show. In 2021 she even joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe to voice Miss Minutes in the television series, Loki.

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Batman: The Animated Series was jam-packed with so many famous actors, that if I covered everyone I would be here all day. However, I believe it’s worth noting the show also featured the dulcet tones of: Jeffrey Combs, Lori Petty, Marc Singer, John Vernon, Adam Ant, LeVar Burton, Dana Delany, Harry Hamlin, Malcolm McDowell, Adam West, Treat Williams, Michael York, Michael Ansara, Ed Asner, Aron Kincaid, Billy Zane and amongst many, many others.

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