It’s been said before by many that the identity of Bruce Wayne is just a mask worn by the Dark Knight, and that the Batman persona is his true face. While the extent to which this saying is true can vary wildly between each of the hero’s incarnations, there’s no denying that Batman and Bruce Wayne are so different that they might as well be separate characters.
With most superheroes, their costumed identity feels like a larger-than-life reflection of their civilian personality — take Superman, Spider-Man, or Daredevil, for instance — while other heroes have no dual identity to begin with. But in Batman’s case, the difference between his two sides is quite literally like night and day, and as such the actors playing him must be able to capture both aspects of the character. So with that in mind, it’s time to take a look at every big-screen Batman actor and see which side of the Caped Crusader they portrayed the best.
Adam West — Batman
While he first played the World’s Greatest Detective on television, the show’s 1966 spin-off movie makes Adam West the first actor to portray Batman in a feature-length motion picture. West’s take on the character is much brighter than the Dark Knight is usually depicted these days, but it can’t be denied that he still brings a certain dignified gravitas to the role. But while Adam West’s take on Batman remains iconic to this day, his Bruce Wayne is less memorable by comparison.
Michael Keaton — Bruce Wayne
Jumping ahead to the 1989 Batman and its sequel Batman Returns, we have Michael Keaton’s beloved depiction of the Caped Crusader. Keaton’s Batman is very much the stoic, brooding version of the character that’s become ubiquitous over the past few decades. But while Keaton does have some memorable scenes as Batman, it’s as Bruce Wayne that he really shines. Keaton portrays Bruce not as a suave playboy, but as an awkward, emotionally distant recluse who struggles to connect with others. Michael Keaton may be cool as Batman, but he brings Bruce Wayne to life with a level of depth and nuance that few actors can match.
Kevin Conroy — Batman
Another TV Batman who made the leap to film, Kevin Conroy first voiced Bruce in the 1992 Batman: The Animated Series cartoon, later reprising the role in the Justice League series and the Arkham Asylum video games. However, his best performance in the role is arguably in the 1993 animated feature Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. Throughout the film, Conroy perfectly brings Bruce’s internal struggle to life, capturing the humanity beneath the cowl. But even so, it’s hard to deny that Conroy’s deep, rich voice makes his Batman one of the most unforgettable iterations ever.
Val Kilmer — Bruce Wayne
Keaton and Conroy are certainly tough acts to follow, so it’s only natural that Val Kilmer, who took over the role for 1995’s Batman Forever, is perhaps the most overlooked Dark Knight of them all. But that’s a real shame, because Kilmer does an excellent job balancing Batman’s stone-faced facade with his more heroic, compassionate side. In particular, Kilmer deserves credit for highlighting Bruce Wayne’s hidden vulnerability and trauma in a way that no actor before had done.
George Clooney — Bruce Wayne
Likely the most maligned entry on this list, George Clooney may have garnered acclaim for most of his major performances, but his portrayal of Batman has earned little praise over the years. On the one hand, it’s true that Clooney’s wisecracking Caped Crusader is a far cry from previous versions, arguably even more lighthearted than Adam West’s portrayal. But at the same time, Clooney’s effortless charisma makes him a perfect fit for Bruce Wayne’s public persona. And in a film infamous for being campy from start to finish, the one scene that manages to stir genuine emotion is a sincere, understated heart-to-heart between Bruce and an ailing Alfred.
Christian Bale — Bruce Wayne
While Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy is widely hailed as one of the best cinematic interpretations of the character, Christian Bale’s performance is somewhat controversial — mostly because of his absurdly gravelly voice whenever he dons the cowl, which often feels more forced and comical than intimidating. Bale seems to be more at home outside of the Batsuit, excelling at capturing both Bruce Wayne’s airheaded playboy facade and his deep inner turmoil.
Will Arnett — Batman
The most offbeat performance on this list belongs to Will Arnett of Arrested Development and BoJack Horseman fame, who lends his voice to Batman in The Lego Movie and its 2017 spin-off, The Lego Batman Movie. Arnett offers a much more comedic take on Batman’s dark, gritty image, portraying him as a narcissistic man-child who’s obsessed with looking cool and edgy. Arnett proves more than capable of conveying Bruce’s hidden tenderness when the scene calls for it, but it's his over-the-top antics as the Caped Crusader that make his performance truly memorable.
Ben Affleck — Batman
Probably the single darkest Dark Knight on this list, Ben Affleck’s Bruce in Batman v Superman and Justice League is a broken, vengeful man, tortured by years of pain and loss. He initially plays Batman as a bitter, hateful symbol of terror, obsessed with stopping Superman at any cost. And while this characterization has proven incredibly divisive among fans, there’s no denying that Affleck sells it well. Later, in Justice League, Affleck gets the chance to play a more humanized Batman who’s gone from a coldhearted loner to a capable leader.
Robert Pattinson — Batman
The most recent big-screen iteration, Robert Pattinson’s Batman eschews his Bruce Wayne side almost completely, choosing instead to devote his entire being to his crime-fighting mission. The lack of Bruce Wayne in The Batman is hardly a flaw, however. Not only does this decision serve the story well, but it’s also made up for by how perfectly Pattinson captures Batman’s intense, ruthless pursuit of vengeance. But beyond that, Pattinson also manages to imbue Batman with a level of humanity and vulnerability that elevates his performance to even greater heights.