On Thursday, the 10th of November 2022, Kevin Conroy died of cancer at 66 years old and the world lost one of its greatest voices in film and its greatest Dark Knight.
By Joseph Leon
With Kevin Conroy's upbringing in a strict Irish Catholic home in Westbury New York, he was no comic book nerd. Overall his later taking to the iconic role of the caped crusader was wholly unlikely. But he did have a natural taking to the preforming arts. At 17 years old he would attend Julliard under a full ride scholarship, graduating in 1978. From 1979 to 1988 he would build an impressive filmography, and star in a menagerie of films and shows. In 1979 he joined John Housman's acting group The Acting Company, a professional, touring theater company. The soap opera Another World, he performed in A Midsummer Night's Dream and in Hamlet at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre. In 1988 to 1985 he starred in Broadway shows Eastern Standard and Lolita and in 1984 he starred as the title role in Hamlet in the New York Shakespeare Festival. He moved from the stage back to television with his rolls in Covenant in 1985, Ohara in 1987, and the movie Tour of Duty in 1988.
In 1992, he began his acclaimed career as Batman in Batman: The Animated Series. For over twenty three years he played the iconic character in shows, films, and games. He would play the same character as well as additional roles such as Thomas Wayne and Joe Chill in Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond, Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, and many, many more. He would even lend his voice to the Batman Arkham series of games. For many fans of these works and of DC in general, his voice is the definitive Batman. The life he breathed into the fictional world along side the likes of Mark Hammil would raise the character to unforeseen heights in the minds of viewers everywhere. His casting in 1992 can be seen as his “break out role” as he would be critically acclaimed as Batman and he would become all too inseparable with the character, bringing his career to new heights voicing in nearly 60 different productions according to NBC New York.
He himself could not see how far this would carry him. In an interview by Tim Beedle, Behind the Bat: An Interview With Kevin Conroy, he said, ”No, I had absolutely no expectation that this job would turn into what it became. I started recording it in 1991, and it went on the air on Fox in 1992 as a prime time series. Then over 23 years, it just evolved from Batman: The Animated Series to The Adventures of Batman and Robin to Justice League and then Batman Beyond. Since then, there’s been the direct-to-video movies and now the Arkham games. He’s such an iconic character. He’s such a part of the American cultural landscape. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of and to have contributed to.”
Comicbook in there article, DC Fans Remember Batman Icon Kevin Conroy After His Death, feature a list of comments from DC fans and coworkers of Conroy giving thanks to him and what his work has done. One from DC comics itself reads, "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”. He has played an enormous role in the lives of the many who love these comics, who grew up with these stories. Who draw strength and courage from characters like Batman. Who can relate to the pain of the character, a pain he fueled with his life experience..
Conroy would come out as gay in the New York Times Article, Batman: The Killing Joke’ Finds Kevin Conroy Back Under the (Animated) Cowl. He would draw strength from his role as Batman to come out in an industry riddled with homophobia as he himself drew upon the experiences of his own life to fit into the mold of Batman. He would write a story for the comic DC Pride #1 titled, Finding Batman, detailing how he navigated through his life and his industry and assimilated himself into the role of Batman. Hiding behind a mask to be shown to the public, a mask that hides conflict and wounds. The loss of family and loved ones, cruelly ripped away from him. Leaving him, unsure of his own identity, not knowing whether or not who he presented was really him. From the final page of the comic story. “ It seemed to roar from thirty years of frustration, confusion, denial, love, yearning…Yes, I can relate. Yes, this is terrain I know well.”
In the Collider article, Kevin Conroy’s Death Inspires Moving Tributes Mark Hamill, Tara Strong, and More, fellow voice actors, screen writers, directors, and artists would give their respects to the man. Diane Pershing who voiced Poison Ivy in the DCAU would comment on his behavior at Conventions, ”he really put in a lot of time at the cons, 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." Mark Hamill, iconic voice the the Joker would give a heart felt statement on his experience working with Conroy. He states, ”Kevin was perfection. He was one of my favorite 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. Kevin was a brilliant actor. 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."
Kevin Conroy will always be my definitive Bruce Wayne and Batman. The care and passion he syphoned into the role as Batman has shaped my childhood. Shaped my interests, my passions. His voice was truly one of the DCAU’s and a spastic, spongy, creative kid’s greatest blessings. I can confidently say I wouldn’t have felt as strongly about the DC universe if it wasn't for him. The world has lost a great and talented soul and I will never forget him.
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