Arleen Sorkin dead aged 67 – Days of Our Lives star and original Harley Quinn voice dies as tributes paid
TRIBUTES have been paid to Arleen Sorkin, star of Days of Our Lives and the original voice actor for Harley Quinn, who has died aged 67.
Sorkin, who was the inspiration for the Joker’s sidekick, voiced the iconic villain in Batman: The Animated Series.
Her cause of death has not yet been released.
Sorkin got her breakthrough on the soap Days of Our Lives, on which she played Calliope Jones from 1984 through to 1990.
She would reprise the role several more times, most recently in 2010.
But it was her role as the Joker’s twisted sidekick Harley Quinn in the animated Batman series that was to be her most famous performance.
Sorkin was college friends with Paul Dini, who created the character and based it on her.
In addition to her voice acting and soap opera roles, Sorkin co-hosted America’s Funniest People with comedian Dave Coulier in the early 1990s.
She is survived by her husband, fellow actor Christopher Lloyd, and two sons.
Fans have shared tributes on social media in memory of Sorkin.
“It broke my heart to hear… the original voice of Harley Quinn, Arlene Sorkin has passed away. I adored her work as HQ & as Calliope in ‘Days of Our Lives,'” one person wrote.
“It’s truly sad to see key voice actors for Batman TAS have now passed on. Without Arlene Sorkin, Harley Quinn would not have become a breakout character. I hope she knows how much we all appreciate her,” another tweeted.
“Sad hearing that Arlene Sorkin has passed away. She helped give life to one of the best characters ever, and she will always be remembered for it. Say hi to Kevin for us. We will always adore you both,” someone else chimed in.
“It cannot be understated what an impact Arleen Sorkin as Harley Quinn had on comics & our imagination. She left a tremendous legacy & we’re the better for it,” another wrote.