Tributes to voice actor Kevin Conroy have been paid by his fellow Batman: The Animated Series co-stars Mark Hamill, Diane Pershing and Tara Strong.
Conroy, best known for voicing Batman in cartoons, died on Thursday aged 66 after a short battle with cancer, according to a statement provided by DC Entertainment.
The stage, film and television actor – who guested starred in Cheers, Murphy Brown, Spenser: For Hire and Matlock – voiced the Dark Knight in 60 different productions from September 1992 onwards.
These included 15 films like Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and 15 animated series, such as Batman: The Animated Series, spanning nearly 400 episodes and more than 100 hours of television, as well as video games.
Mark Hamill, who played the Joker opposite Conroy’s Batman, said in a statement: “He was one of my favourite 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.”
The 71-year-old actor, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars film series and has also done a lot of voice work, added: “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.”
DC is deeply saddened at the passing of Kevin Conroy, a legendary actor and the voice of Batman for multiple generations. He will be forever missed by his friends, family, and fans. https://t.co/GgdfYvoKVL pic.twitter.com/pSy8h29h6r
— DC (@DCComics) November 11, 2022
Conroy was born on November 30, 1955 in Westbury, New York, and raised in Westport, Connecticut.
He studied at The Julliard School alongside Christopher Reeve, Frances Conroy, and his roommate Robin Williams.
Conroy was also featured as a live-action Bruce Wayne when DC Comics shows Arrow, Supergirl, The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and Batwoman had several crossover episodes.
The Arrowverse’s Crisis On Infinite Earths event was from 2019 to 2020.
Pershing, who played Poison Ivy opposite Conroy, wrote on Facebook said: “He really put in a lot of time at the (Comic Con events), to the joy of all of his fans.
“He will be sorely missed not just by the cast of the series but by his legion of fans all over the world.”
I don’t have the words. Not today. My heart is broken. There will never be another. He IS #Batman. #RIPLEGEND pic.twitter.com/hJcUVEVeWm
— tara strong (@tarastrong) November 11, 2022
Tara Strong, who voiced Batgirl, also paid tribute, saying: “I don’t have the words. Not today. My heart is broken. There will never be another. He IS #Batman.”
Emmy Award-winning casting and dialogue director Andrea Roman, whose work includes Batman: The Animated Series, said in a statement: “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.
“Kevin’s warm heart, delightfully deep laugh and pure love of life will be with me forever.”
Conroy is survived by his husband Vaughn C Williams, sister Trisha Conroy and brother Tom Conroy.