Kevin Conroy | |
|---|---|
 Conroy in 2021 | |
| Born | (1955-11-30)November 30, 1955 Westbury, New York, U.S. |
| Died | November 10, 2022(2022-11-10) (aged 66) New York City, U.S. |
| Education | Juilliard School (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1978–2022 |
| Spouse | Vaughn C. Williams |
| Signature | |
 | |
Kevin Conroy (November 30, 1955 – November 10, 2022) was an American actor. He appeared in a variety of stage performances, television series, and television films. Conroy earned fame for voicing theDC Comics superheroBatman in various animated media, beginning withBatman: The Animated Series in 1992.[1][2] Conroy went on to voice the character for dozens of animated television series, feature films, and video games over the next three decades.[3][4][5]
Kevin Conroy was born on November 30, 1955, inWestbury, New York,[6] into an Irish Catholic family. He moved toWestport, Connecticut, when he was about 11 years old. He had three older siblings.[7] Conroy held dual American and Irish citizenship.[8]
Due to the tumultuous environment in his home, Conroy lived with a family friend during his last year of high school. Conroy's father was an alcoholic and once attempted suicide while Conroy was in high school.[9] In adulthood, Conroy was estranged from his father for many years but they reconciled shortly before his death. He was at both his mother's side and his father's side when they died.[10][11][non-primary source needed]
Conroy moved to New York City in 1973 when he earned a full scholarship to attend theJuilliard School's drama division, studying under actor/directorJohn Houseman. While there, he roomed withRobin Williams, who was in the same group as both Conroy andKelsey Grammer.[12] After graduating from Juilliard in 1978, he toured with Houseman's performing groupThe Acting Company, and the following year he went on the national tour ofIra Levin'sDeathtrap.[13][7] Conroy and his co-starBrian Bedford did not get along, and got into an on-stage brawl during the opening night performance ofDeathtrap at theKennedy Center.[10]
In 1980, after playing the role of Jerry Grove in the New York City-based daytime soap operaAnother World, Conroy moved out to California to pursue further work in television. Conroy became associated with theOld Globe Theatre in San Diego, California, where he performed in productions ofHamlet andA Midsummer Night's Dream. From 1980 to 1985, he acted in a variety of contemporary and classic theatre pieces, including theBroadway productions ofEdward Albee's adaptation ofLolita andEastern Standard. He toldThe New York Times that, as a gay man living in New York City in the time of theAIDS epidemic, he "went to so many funerals that [he] felt such a sense of obligation" to portray the character of a TV producer secretly living with AIDS inEastern Standard.[7]
Conroy returned to television in the 1985 TV filmCovenant and had a role on another daytime soap drama,Search for Tomorrow. Conroy played gay lawyerBart Fallmont onDynasty from 1985 to 1986.[14] He was a series regular onOhara in 1987, and as the company commander onTour of Duty from 1987 to 1988, before starring in a series of television films. Though initially cast as one of the show's main characters, his role on the show was reduced while it filmed in Hawaii and he ended up spending much of his time making portraits of tourists on theHonolulu boardwalk. Conroy also guest starred on shows such asCheers,Search for Tomorrow,Matlock andMurphy Brown.[15]
As a voice actor, Conroy is known for his starring role inBatman: The Animated Series (1992–1995).[16][17] He was notably the first voice actor to alter his voice tone between portraying Batman and Bruce Wayne, whichMichael Keaton had previously done inTim Burton's live-actionBatman films.[13] However, Conroy based his dual-voice performance onLeslie Howard in the 1934 filmThe Scarlet Pimpernel.[18] He continued to voice Batman in various animated spin-off productions, which collectively took place in what is known as theDC Animated Universe (DCAU). These spin-offs include the TV showsThe New Batman Adventures (1997–1999),Batman Beyond (1999–2001, in which he portrays an elderly Bruce Wayne retired from crimefighting),Justice League (2001–2004), andJustice League Unlimited (2004–2006), as well as the theatrical filmBatman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993),[19][20] and thedirect-to-video filmsBatman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998),Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000), andBatman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003). He also voiced the DCAU Batman for guest appearances inSuperman: The Animated Series,Static Shock andThe Zeta Project.[21]
I often marveled at how appropriate it was that I should land this role. As a gay boy growing up in the 1950s and '60s in a devoutly Catholic family, I'd grown adept at concealing parts of myself. Of putting aspects of myself in a separate box and locking it away.
Conroy went on to voice Batman in the direct-to-videoDC Universe Animated Original Movies:Batman: Gotham Knight (2008),Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009),Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010),Justice League: Doom (2012),Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013),Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014),Batman: The Killing Joke (2016),Batman and Harley Quinn (2017), andJustice League vs. the Fatal Five (2019).[15][23][24] He later returned to voicing Batman on TV for the animated seriesJustice League Action (2016–2018),[25] along with guest appearances onTeen Titans Go! andScooby-Doo and Guess Who?. In a tally of the actor's performances that include his every episode and film portrayal of Batman, Conroy portrayed the character longer than any other actor in live-action and animation.[26] The previous record-holder wasOlan Soule, who voiced Batman in various animated works between the late 1960s and early 1980s (includingSuper Friends).
After theSeptember 11, 2001, attacks in New York City, Conroy participated in relief efforts by volunteering to cook for people. During an audio commentary onBatman: Gotham Knight, Conroy expressed his surprise at the reaction of the emergency service workers to his presence. At the behest of another cook, Conroy called out from the kitchen to the dining area in his "Batman voice", reciting the iconic line, "I am vengeance! I am the night! I am Batman!" (from theBTAS episode "Nothing to Fear"[27]). This was greeted by cheers and applause from emergency service personnel, many of whom had been fans ofBatman: The Animated Series during its airing in the 1990s. Conroy confessed to being humbled and deeply flattered by the reaction.[28]
Conroy also voiced Batman for multiple video games, including theBatman: Arkham series. Following the release ofBatman: Arkham Asylum (2009) andBatman: Arkham City (2011), he stated at the 2013Dallas Comic Con that he had been working on "the next Arkham", leading to rampant speculation that he would reprise his role inBatman: Arkham Origins. In June 2013, however, it was confirmed that Conroy would not be involved inArkham Origins (Batman was instead voiced byRoger Craig Smith in that game), meaning Conroy may have been referring to a yet-unannounced game from theArkham series.[29] He would ultimately reprise the role for the fourth game in the series, titledBatman: Arkham Knight (2015).[30]
In October 2013, Conroy appeared onTim Daly's web seriesThe Daly Show,[31] parodying his role as Batman, with Daly reprising the role ofSuperman fromSuperman: The Animated Series.[32]
Conroy portrayed Bruce Wayne of Earth-99 in live-action in theArrowverse crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths". This was his only live-action portrayal of the character.[33]
Mark Hamill, Conroy's frequent voice actor co-star as theJoker, spoke highly of working with him. Regarding his willingness to be involved in a Batman-related project, Hamill said, "When they offer me roles now, I say, 'Is Kevin doing it?' ... I don't even have to read the script, if Kevin's doing it, I'll do it."[34] In 2023, following Conroy's death, Hamill stated he would no longer voice the Joker, citing his Joker quote "Without Batman, crime has no punchline".[35]
In 2024, his final time voicing the character were in the spin-off title to theArkham series,Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and a brief cameo inJustice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three.[36] The following year, Conroy was revealed to have a posthumous role in theDevil May Cry anime series as Vice President William Baines.[37]
In a 2016 interview withThe New York Times promoting theanimated adaptation ofBatman: The Killing Joke, Conroy revealed that he was gay.[7] As part ofDC Comics' 2022 Pride anthology, Conroy wrote "Finding Batman", a story that recounted his life and experiences as a gay man. It received critical acclaim upon release,[38] and posthumously won Conroy the 2023Eisner Award for Best Short Story.
He was married to Vaughn C. Williams at the time of his death.[39][40]
Conroy made an effort to conceal his homosexuality throughout most of his career. He spoke in "Finding Batman" about the discrimination he faced once potential collaborators and employers discovered his homosexuality. Conroy said that on multiple occasions he had been removed from consideration for acting jobs due to his sexual orientation.[41][42]
Conroy made frequent appearances atcomic book conventions; his last convention was inConnecticut in July 2022.[43]
Conroy died atMount Sinai Hospital[44] in New York City on November 10, 2022, at age 66, ofintestinal cancer.[45] Upon news of his death, DC Comics gave free online access to "Finding Batman" as a way to honor Conroy.[46] "Finding Batman" went on to win the2023 Eisner Award for Best Short Story.[47] His co-stars, includingMark Hamill,[48]Tim Daly,[49]Tara Strong,[50] and numerous other figures paid tribute to Conroy on social media.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | How to Pick Up Girls! | Bartender | Television film[58] |
| 1980 | Another World | Jerry Grove | Recurring role[59] |
| 1982 | Born Beautiful | Stan[60][61] | Television film |
| A Midsummer Night's Dream | Lysander[62] | ||
| 1983 | A Fine Romance | Phil[63] | |
| Kennedy | Ted Kennedy | Miniseries[64] | |
| 1984 | George Washington | John Laurens | 1 episode[65] |
| 1984–1985 | Search for Tomorrow | Chase Kendall | 79 episodes[59] |
| 1985 | Covenant | Stephen | Television film[66][67] |
| 1985–1986 | Dynasty | Bart Fallmont | Recurring role; season 6[52] |
| 1986 | Matlock | Clark Harrison | Episode: "The Affair"[52] |
| Kay O'Brien | David | Episode: "Princess of the City" | |
| Spenser: For Hire | Gallagher | Episode: "Shadowsight"[68] | |
| 1987 | Ohara | Captain Lloyd Hamilton | Main role; season 1[52] |
| 1987–1988 | Tour of Duty | Captain Rusty Wallace | Recurring role; season 1[52] |
| 1988 | Killer Instinct | Dr. Steven Nelson | Television film[69] |
| 1990 | So Proudly We Hail | Francis Crosby | Television film[70] |
| 1989–1990 | Cheers | Darryl Mead | 2 episodes[71] |
| 1990 | The Face of Fear | Frank Dwight Bollinger | Television film[72] |
| WIOU | Lenny Lubinsky | Episode: "Pilot"[73] | |
| 1991 | Murphy Brown | Roger Harris | Episode: "Terror on the 17th Floor"[71] |
| Hi Honey – I'm Dead | Brad Stadler | Television film[74] | |
| 1992 | Rachel Gunn, R.N. | Dr. David Dunkle | Main role[75] |
| The Secret Passion of Robert Clayton | Hunter Roy Evans | Television film[76] | |
| Battle in the Erogenous Zone | Mondo Ray | Television short[77] | |
| 1992–1995 | Batman: The Animated Series | Bruce Wayne / Batman, additional voices | Main voice role[21] |
| 1994 | Island City | Colonel Tom Valdoon | Television film[78] |
| 1994 | The New Adventures of Captain Planet | Army Corps of Engineers Official | Voice, episode: "Jail House Flock"[71] |
| 1995 | The Office | Steve Gilman | Main role[72] |
| 1996 | The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest | Hardman | Voice, episode: "Manhattan Maneater"[71] |
| 1997–1999 | The New Batman Adventures | Bruce Wayne / Batman | Main voice role[21] |
| Superman: The Animated Series | Voice, recurring role[21] | ||
| 1999–2001 | Batman Beyond | Bruce Wayne / Batman, Stage Batman | Main voice role[21] |
| 2001 | The Zeta Project | Bruce Wayne / Batman | Voice, episode: "Shadows"[21] |
| 2001–2004 | Justice League | Bruce Wayne / Batman, additional voices | Voice, main role[21] |
| 2002–2004 | Static Shock | Bruce Wayne / Batman | Voice, 5 episodes[21] |
| 2004–2006 | Justice League Unlimited | Bruce Wayne / Batman,Joe Chill | Main voice role[21] |
| 2006 | The Batman | John Grayson | Voice, episode: "A Matter of Family"[21] |
| 2008 | Ben 10: Alien Force | Bellicus | Voice, episode: "X = Ben + 2"[21] |
| 2009, 2013 | The Venture Bros. | Captain Sunshine | Voice, 2 episodes[71] |
| 2010 | Batman: The Brave and the Bold | Batman of Zur-En-Arrh,Phantom Stranger | Voice, 2 episodes[21] |
| 2013 | DC Nation Shorts: Tales of Metropolis | Bruce Wayne / Batman | Voice, episode: "Lois Lane"[79] |
| 2014 | DC Nation Shorts:Batman Beyond | Voice, television short[80] | |
| DC Nation Shorts:Batman: Strange Days | Voice, television short[81] | ||
| DC Nation Shorts: Shazam! | Zeus | Voice, episode: "Wisdom"[21] | |
| 2015 | Turbo Fast | Stinger | Voice, episode: "The Sting of Injustice"[21] |
| 2016–2018 | Justice League Action | Bruce Wayne / Batman | Main voice role[21] |
| 2018 | Teen Titans Go! | Voice, episode: "Real Orangins"[21] | |
| 2019 | Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? | Voice, episode: "What a Night, For a Dark Knight!"[82] | |
| Welcome to the Wayne | Prismal | Voice, 7 episodes[21] | |
| Batwoman | Bruce Wayne (Earth-99) | Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two";[83] Final on-screen role | |
| Crisis Aftermath | Himself | Guest[84] | |
| 2021 | Masters of the Universe: Revelation | Mer-Man | Voice, episode: "The Most Dangerous Man in Eternia"[85] |
| 2022 | He-Man and the Masters of the Universe | Hordak | Voice, episode: "The End of the Beginning (Part 2)"[86] |
| 2025 | Devil May Cry | VP William Baines, Various voices | Voice; posthumous release[37][21] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Justice League: Battle for Metropolis | Bruce Wayne / Batman | [99] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | Ollie & Scoops | The Creature (voice) | Posthumous release; final role |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Hamlet | Performer | Old Globe Theatre[100] |
| 1981 | Lolita | Broadway[101] | |
| 1982 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Old Globe Theatre[102] | |
| 1989 | Eastern Standard | Peter Kidde | Broadway[45] |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Annie Award | Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting by a Male Performer in an Animated Television Production | Batman Beyond, "Out of the Past" | Nominated | [103][104] |
| 2012 | Behind the Voice Actors Awards | Best Vocal Ensemble in a Video Game | Batman Arkham City | Won | [105] |
| 2013 | Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short | Justice League: Doom | Won | ||
| Best Male Vocal Performance in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short | Won | ||||
| 2014 | Best Vocal Ensemble in a Video Game | Injustice: Gods Among Us | Won | ||
| 2015 | Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short | Batman: Assault on Arkham | Won | ||
| Play Legit's Best | Best Actor | Batman: Arkham Knight | Won | [106] | |
| 2017 | Behind the Voice Actors Awards | Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short | Batman: The Killing Joke | Won | [105] |
| 2018 | Behind the Voice Actors Awards | Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series | Justice League Action | Nominated | |
| Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short | Batman and Harley Quinn | Nominated | |||
| 2023 | Eisner Awards | Eisner Award for Best Short Story | DC Pride, "Finding Batman" | Won | [107] |
4. Tales of Metropolis One of the newer DC Nation Shorts, Tales of Metropolis also easily ranks as one the funniest things we've seen. ..., and the recent Lois Lane short brought in even more harmonious hilarity. Plus, it features Batman voiced byKevin Conroy, which is ALWAYS an amazing thing.
CA: Is Kevin Conroy the voice of Batman in this short? BT: Yes. He is. It's funny... he's got one line of dialogue. CA: Wow. BT: It's two words! He got a very good payday that day for word to dollar ratio!
Conroy has lent his voice to the Caped Crusader in cartoons and games for many years, with his first video game credit being The Adventures of Batman and Robin on the Sega Mega CD in 1994.
| Preceded by | Voice ofBatman 1992–2006 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Voice ofBatman 2008–2022 | Succeeded by Various Others (concurrent) |
