The original inspiration for the DC character Harley Quinn, Arleen Sorkin, has passed away at age 67. Sorkin is best known for her role as Calliope Jones Bradford on Days of Our Lives and whom the Joker affectionately called, “Pooh,” on Batman: The Animated Series.
News of her passing was shared by DC Studios CEO James Gunn on social media:
Sorkin’s husband, television producer and screenwriter Christopher Lloyd, confirmed that she died after a long battle with multiple sclerosis and released a statement about her passing, “We will always remember our dear Arleen for her immense generosity of spirit,” the family said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.
“Talented, yes, and dogged, too, as evidenced by her tenacious, decades-long fight with a terrible disease. But more than that, she was a loving presence in the lives of her two boys, Eli and Owen; her mother, Joyce; her brothers, Robert and Arthur; and the countless other children, old and young, whom she took under her beautiful wing over the years.”
“It’s a sad day for us, but a joyous one, too, knowing how many people today are summoning her memory and smiling.”
Sorkin was born in Washington, D.C., on October 14, 1955. Sorkin attended Georgetown University, where she studied theater and acting. After completing her education, she began pursuing her passion for acting and comedy. Her comedic skills and vibrant personality quickly led her to opportunities in both television and voice acting.
She gained early recognition for her role as Calliope Jones Bradford on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives. Her portrayal of Calliope, a vivacious and eccentric character, showcased her comedic timing and ability to bring humor to the screen. The iconic dream sequence where Calliope appeared in a jester costume became a memorable moment in soap opera history and was the inspiration for the character of Harley Quinn.
In 1992, the Batman: The Animated Series team was working on an episode titled “Joker’s Favor.” Paul Dini, one of the show’s writers and creators, was struggling to come up with a henchwoman character for the Joker. Around the same time, he happened to watch a rerun of the soap opera Days of Our Lives, in which Sorkin, his friend, was portraying a humorous dream sequence in which she was dressed as a court jester.
The combination of Sorkin’s jester-like appearance and her comedic performance in the soap opera sparked an idea in Dini’s mind. He envisioned a female character with a playful, clown-like demeanor who would be the perfect match for the Joker’s chaotic personality. He decided to adapt the jester concept for the new character and named her Harley Quinn, a play on “harlequin,” the traditional jester character from commedia dell’arte.
Dini then pitched the idea to his colleagues, and the concept was embraced by the show’s producers. Sorkin was eventually brought in to voice the character of Harley Quinn, and her distinctive voice and comedic timing further brought the character to life.
Harley Quinn’s popularity skyrocketed after her debut. She quickly gained a cult following and became a recurring character in the Batman comics as well as other media adaptations, eventually becoming one of the most recognizable and beloved characters in the DC Comics universe.
In addition to Days of Our Lives and her iconic portrayal of Harley Quinn on Batman: The Animated Series, Sorkin has appeared in a variety of other movies and TV shows. Here are some of her notable appearances:
In the sitcom Duet, she portrayed Geneva, contributing to the comedic dynamics of two couples at a diner. In 1994, she guest-starred as Mira on the science fiction series Babylon 5.
Her vocal talents shone in the animated series Justice League as she voiced Cheetah/Barbara Minerva, a DC Comics character. Sorkin lent her voice to Jinx, Raven’s sister, in the animated series Teen Titans and voiced several characters in Superman: The Animated Series, including the villain Livewire. Her portrayal of Quinn was a highlight; she reprised the role in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker and Batman: The Killing Joke, showcasing her enduring impact on the Batman universe.
REELated:
Mark Hamill, who played the Joker opposite Sorkin’s Harley Quinn, also shared a touching tribute on social media:
Tara Strong, the voice actress who has also played Harley Quinn, shared a photo of Sorkin and posted:
Harley Quinn creator Paul Dini was visibly moved by Sorkin’s death:
Days of Our Lives star Diedra Hall shared a video of the two of them in a scene together:
Stephen Nichols also from Days of Our Lives shared his own tribute:
Others took to social media to pay their prospects as well:
Sorkin is survived by her husband, Christopher Lloyd, and their two sons, Eli and Owen Lloyd. The family asks that any donations be made to the National MS Society.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
