Multiple sources have confirmed that Batman: The Animated Series voice actor Kevin Conroy has passed away at the age of 66 after a short battle with cancer.
Although Conroy was best known for voicing Batman and Bruce Wayne in Batman: The Animated Series, he also played the character in numerous other DC animated films and video games. News of Conroy's passing was shared by fellow voice actor Diane Pershing, known for voicing Poison Ivy in Batman: The Animated Series.
In a heartfelt post on Facebook, Pershing wrote, "Very sad news: our beloved voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy, died yesterday. He's been ill for a while, but 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." Pershing also shared several photos of Conroy with fellow voice actors Loren Lester and Tara Strong, as well as a picture of herself with Conroy and a huge audience during one of their convention panels. Fans and celebrities have reacted to the news on social media. In a statement, Conroy's Batman: The Animated Series co-star Mark Hamill wrote, “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.”
A classically trained actor, Conroy studied acting at the prestigious Julliard School, where he learned his craft alongside other famous performers such as Robin Williams and Kelsey Grammar. Throughout the 1980s, Conroy performed in several Shakespeare productions, including Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. In 1992, Conroy would be cast as the voice of Batman/Bruce Wayne in Batman: The Animated Series, a role that would go on to largely define his career. Conroy voiced the character for all 85 episodes of the original series as well as the show's numerous animated spin-offs, including The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited, as well as the 1993 theatrical film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.
Throughout his distinguished career, Conroy continued to voice Batman in various animated films as well as the Arkham Asylum video game series. He was even given the opportunity to portray the character in live-action during the CW's crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths. Conroy was set to voice Thomas Wayne in the upcoming animated series Batman: Caped Crusader. Unfortunately, the series will no longer be moving forward on HBO Max but it is reportedly seeking a new streaming home.
For fans of the DC Animated Universe, Conroy's passing is an incalculable loss. For many DC fans, Conroy's deep baritone voice will forever be remembered as the definite on-screen version of the caped crusader. He will be sorely missed.
Batman: The Animated Series is available on HBO Max.
Source: Peter Mayhew Foundation