Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, Jared Leto and Joaquin Phoenix are the best-known live-action Joker actors. Barry Keoghan also appears as a Joker version in The Batman. Animation adds a separate group of performers, including Mark Hamill and Alan Tudyk.
There is no useful single count without deciding what to include. A leading film performance, a television role, a brief appearance and an animated voice are different credits. This guide covers the main screen versions and selected English-language voices, rather than claiming to list every dub, parody or game appearance.
Main live-action Joker actors
| Actor | Where to watch that version | What distinguishes it |
|---|---|---|
| Cesar Romero | Batman television series (1966–1968) and Batman: The Movie (1966) | The colorful, theatrical version from the Adam West era. |
| Jack Nicholson | Batman (1989) | Tim Burton’s gangster-turned-Joker, Jack Napier. |
| Heath Ledger | The Dark Knight (2008) | The criminal mastermind in Christopher Nolan’s Gotham. |
| Jared Leto | Suicide Squad (2016) and Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) | The version associated with those DC films; the latter appearance is in Snyder’s cut. |
| Joaquin Phoenix | Joker (2019) and Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) | Arthur Fleck in Todd Phillips’ separate story. |
| Barry Keoghan | The Batman (2022) | A brief Arkham appearance, with a longer deleted scene released separately. |
DC’s pages for Batman and The Dark Knight identify their casts. Its Jared Leto feature explains the Snyder-cut return. Keoghan’s brief and deleted scenes are discussed in his casting report.
Joaquin Phoenix has two Joker films
A list that stops at the 2019 film is missing Joker: Folie à Deux. DC’s official film page confirms Phoenix’s return alongside Lady Gaga. This is the Arthur Fleck story, not a sequel to Ledger’s or Nicholson’s film.
For a first watch, start with Joker before its sequel. For the other versions, choose the film or series you are interested in rather than trying to make every performance fit one timeline.
Selected animated Joker voices
- Mark Hamill: the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series and several related animated films. DC’s Mask of the Phantasm feature identifies him as the Joker opposite Kevin Conroy’s Batman.
- Alan Tudyk: the Joker in the adult animated Harley Quinn series, as noted in DC’s performer overview.
These are voice roles. Hamill’s performance can be familiar even if you have never seen his face in Joker makeup. Also check a show’s age rating: animation does not automatically mean a film or series is aimed at young children.
What about Cameron Monaghan in Gotham?
Monaghan plays Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska in Gotham. They belong in a discussion of Joker-inspired television characters, but calling every one of those appearances a straightforward credit as “the Joker” hides that distinction.
When choosing a film presentation, our IMAX format guide explains why the cinema format is separate from the film’s story or cast. Streaming catalogs and language tracks vary by country, so check the service listing for the exact title.
Frequently asked questions
Who played the Joker in the 1960s Batman series?
Cesar Romero played the Joker opposite Adam West in the television series and the 1966 film.
Who voices the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series?
Mark Hamill provides the familiar English-language Joker voice in that series and several related animated films.
Is Joaquin Phoenix in Joker: Folie à Deux?
Yes. He returns as Arthur Fleck in the 2024 sequel to Joker, which belongs to Todd Phillips’ separate story.
Are all Joker actors playing the same version of the character?
No. These films and series include separate continuities and different interpretations. Do not treat them as one continuous biography.