Harley Quinn, the Max original adult-animated superhero series, recently aired the tenth and final episode of its fourth season.
The episode paid a heartwarming tribute to the late voice actor Arleen Sorkin, who passed away in August, aged 67, from from pneumonia and multiple sclerosis. Sorkin was well-known for her role as Calliope Jones in Days of Our Lives, as well as the beloved original voice of Harley Quinn in various DC animated projects.
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Sorkin’s connection with the iconic character dates back to 1992, when she provided her voice for the character’s first-ever appearance. Unlike most DC Comics characters, Harley Quinn was, in fact, created for Batman: The Animated Series, and debuted in the seventh episode of Season 1, “Joker’s Favor,” as a sidekick and problematic love interest of the Clown Prince of Crime. The episode was written by Paul Dini, while artist Bruce Timm provided the character designs.
The Harley Quinn Season 4 finale, “Killer’s Block,” released earlier this week, features a touching homage to Sorkin. The episode opens with an image displaying early sketches of the original Harley, which date back to 1993. The image is accompanied by the heartfelt message, “In Memory of Arleen Sorkin 1955-2020.”
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Arleen Sorkin’s husband and ABC sitcom Modern Family‘s creator, Christopher Lloyd also wrote a moving tribute to his late wife in painting a vivid picture of their life together. Lloyd also reflected on the connection between Sorkin’s essence and the character of Harley Quinn, emphasizing the character’s loyalty and the refusal to lead with anything but her heart.
Over the years, Sorkin continued to lend her voice to the character across the television shows The New Batman Adventures, Superman: The Animated Series, Gotham Girls, Static Shock, and Justice League. She also provided her voice in the games The Adventures of Batman & Robin, Batman Vengeance, Batman: Arkham Asylum, and lastly DC Universe Online, popularizing Harley Quinn to fans worldwide.
Margot Robbie took on the role in live-action films, Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey, and The Suicide Squad, while Kaley Cuoco has been providing her voice in the animated series, Harley Quinn, since 2019. Additionally, Cuoco’s The Big Bang Theory co-star, Melissa Rauch also voiced the character in 2017’s DC Universe Original Movie, Batman and Harley Quinn. Lady Gaga is set to play Harley Quinn in the upcoming Todd Phillips film, Joker: Folie ? Deux.
Harley Quinn is available to stream on Max.
Source: Max
DC and Max’s animated series, Harley Quinn, honors the late voice actress Arleen Sorkin in its Season 4 finale. Read More