Kevin Conroy

Kevin Conroy
Born (1955-11-30) November 30, 1955
Westbury, New York, U.S.
Education Juilliard School (BFA)
Occupation Actor, voice actor
Years active 1978–present
Known for Batman (voice)
Children 1
Website www.realkevinconroy.com

Kevin Conroy (born November 30, 1955) is an American actor and voice actor best known for his voice role as the DC Comics character Batman on the 1990s Warner Bros. television series Batman: The Animated Series,[1] as well as various other TV series and feature films in the DC animated universe. Due to the popularity of his performance as Batman, Conroy went on to voice the character for multiple films under the DC Universe Animated Original Movies banner and various video games, including the acclaimed Batman: Arkham series.

Personal life

Born in Westbury, New York to an Irish Catholic family, Conroy moved to Westport, Connecticut when he was about 11 years old. He moved to New York City in 1973 when he earned a full scholarship to attend Juilliard's drama division, studying under actor John Houseman. While there, he roomed with Robin Williams, who was in the same group as both Conroy and Kelsey Grammer.[2] After graduating from Juilliard in 1978, he toured with Houseman's acting group The Acting Company, and the following year he went on the national tour of Ira Levin's Deathtrap.[3][4] Filmreference.com lists Conroy as having been married, and having a child,[5] though an interview with The New York Times in 2016 officially confirmed that he is gay.[6]

Career

In 1980, Conroy decided to try his hand in television and moved out to California. He landed a role in the daytime soap opera Another World. He became associated with the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California, where he performed in productions of Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. From 1980 to 1985, he acted in a variety of contemporary and classic theatre pieces, including the Broadway productions of Eastern Standard and Edward Albee's adaptation of Lolita. In 1984, he played the title role in Hamlet at the New York Shakespeare Festival. He returned to television in the 1985 TV movie Covenant and had a role on another daytime soap drama, Search for Tomorrow. He was a series regular on Ohara in 1987, and as the company commander on Tour of Duty from 1987 to 1988, before starring in a series of television movies. Though initially cast as one of the show's main characters, his role on the show was reduced while it filmed in Hawaii and he ended up spending much of his time doing portraits of tourists on the Honolulu boardwalk. He has also guest starred on shows such as Cheers, Dynasty, Search for Tomorrow, Matlock and Murphy Brown.[7]

As Batman

As a voice actor, Kevin Conroy is best known for his starring role as Bruce Wayne/Batman in the acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995).[8][9] He continued to voice Batman in numerous animated projects from which the series was spun off into, which collectively took place in what is known as the DC animated universe (DCAU). These spin-offs include the TV shows The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999), Batman Beyond (1999–2001, in which he portrays an elderly Bruce Wayne retired from crimefighting), Justice League (2001–2004) and Justice League Unlimited (2004–2006) as well as the theatrical film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993),[10][11] and the direct-to-video films Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998), Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000) and Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003). He also voiced Batman for the character's guest appearances in the DCAU's Superman: The Animated Series, Static Shock and The Zeta Project.

Conroy speaking at the 2017 Phoenix Comicon

Conroy is distinguished for being the first voice actor to use two distinct voices to portray Bruce Wayne and Batman, which Michael Keaton had previously done in Tim Burton's live-action Batman films.[3] In a tally of performances that include every episode and movie portrayal of Batman in live-action and animation, Conroy has portrayed the character longer than any other actor. The previous record-holder was Olan Soule, who voiced Batman in various animated works between the late 1960s and early 1980s; including Super Friends. Apart from the DCAU, Conroy has also portrayed Batman in the direct-to-video DC Universe Animated Original Movies: Batman: Gotham Knight (2008), Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009), Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010), Justice League: Doom (2012), Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013), Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014) and Batman: The Killing Joke (2016).[7][12][13]

After the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City, Conroy participated in relief efforts by volunteering to cook for police officers and firefighters. During an audio commentary on Batman: Gotham Knight, Conroy expressed his surprise at the reaction of the emergency service workers to his presence. At the behest of another cook, Conroy called out from the kitchen to the dining area in his "Batman voice", reciting the iconic line, "I am vengeance! I am the night! I am Batman!" (from the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Nothing to Fear"[14]) This was greeted by cheers and applause from emergency service personnel, many of whom had been fans of Batman: The Animated Series during its airing in the 1990s. Conroy confessed to being humbled and deeply flattered by the reaction.[15]

In preparation for the theatrical release of the 2012 live-action film The Dark Knight Rises, Conroy re-dubbed Christian Bale's Batman lines for an animated version of one of the film's trailers.[16]

Conroy stated at the 2013 Dallas Comic Con that he had been working on "the next Arkham", leading to rampant speculation that he would reprise his role as Batman in Batman: Arkham Origins. In June 2013, however, it was confirmed that Conroy would not be involved in Arkham Origins, meaning Conroy may have been referring to an yet-unannounced game from the Rocksteady Arkham series.[17] In March 4, 2014, a new Arkham game titled Batman: Arkham Knight was announced with Conroy reprising his role.[18]

He confirmed on Twitter that he filmed a role on Tim Daly's web series The Daly Show,[19] where Conroy parodied his role as Batman in a fight with Daly parodying Superman (whom Daly previously voiced in Superman: The Animated Series).[20]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1978How to Pick Up Girls!BartenderTV movie
1980Another WorldJerry Grove(2 episodes)
1982Born BeautifulStanTV movie
1982A Midsummer Night's DreamLysanderTV movie
1983A Fine RomancePhilTV movie
1983KennedyTed KennedyTV mini-series
1984George WashingtonJohn LaurensTV mini-series; 1 episode
1984–85Search for TomorrowChase Kendall(4 episodes); "Episode 8556", "Episode 8574", "Episode 8669", "Episode 8670"
1985CovenantStephenTV movie
1985–86DynastyBart FallmontRecurring role; 8 episodes
1986MatlockClark Harrison(1 episode); "The Affair"
1986Kay O'BrienDavid(1 episode); "Princess of the City"
1986Spenser: For HireGallagher(1 episode); "Shadowsight"
1987OharaCaptain Lloyd HamiltonRecurring role; 11 episodes
1987–88Tour of DutyCaptain Rusty WallaceRecurring role; 12 episodes
1988Killer InstinctDr. Steven NelsonTV movie
1990So Proudly We HailFrancis CrosbyTV movie
1989–90CheersDarryl Mead(2 episodes); "The Ghost & Mrs. LeBec", "Death Takes a Holiday on Ice"
1990The Face of FearFrank Dwight BollingerTV movie
1990WIOULenny Lubinsky(1 episode); "Pilot"
1991Murphy BrownRoger Harris(1 episode); "Terror on the 17th Floor"
1991Hi Honey - I'm DeadBrad StadlerTV movie
1992Rachel Gunn, R.N.Dr. David DunkleMain role; 13 episodes
1992The Secret Passion of Robert ClaytonHunter Roy EvansTV movie
1992Battle in the Erogenous ZoneMondo RayTV short movie
1994Island CityColonel Tom ValdoonTV movie
1995The OfficeSteve GilmanRecurring role; 6 episodes
2015Lair of the Mega SharkNarrator(1 episode, Shark Week 2015)

Television (animated)

Year Title Role Notes
1992–95Batman: The Animated SeriesBruce Wayne / Batman / Additional VoicesMain role; 85 episodes
1996The Real Adventures of Jonny QuestHardman(1 episode); "Manhattan Maneater"
1997–99The New Batman AdventuresBruce Wayne / Batman / HenchmanMain role; 24 episodes
1997–99Superman: The Animated SeriesBruce Wayne / Batman(5 episodes);
  • "World's Finest" (Part 1-3)
  • "Knight Time"
  • "The Demon Reborn"
1999–01Batman BeyondBruce WayneMain role; 48 episodes
2001The Zeta ProjectBruce Wayne(1 episode); "Shadows"
2001–04Justice LeagueBruce Wayne / Batman / Technician / Cop / Civilian / Lord Batman / High Council ThanagarianMain role; 37 episodes
2002–04Static ShockBruce Wayne / Batman(5 episodes);
  • "The Big Leagues"
  • "Hard as Nails"
  • "A League of Their Own" (Part 1-2)
  • "Future Shock"
2004–06Justice League UnlimitedBruce Wayne / Batman / Joe Chill / Crimson Avenger (Lee Travis) / Pilot / Sky Patrol OfficerMain role; 18 episodes; also performed, though uncredited, the song "Am I Blue?" in the episode "This Little Piggy"
2006The BatmanJohn Grayson(1 episode); "A Matter of Family"
2008Ben 10: Alien ForceBellicus / Warrior #2(1 episode); "X Equals Ben Plus 2"
2010Batman: The Brave and the BoldBatman of Zur-En-Arrh / Phantom Stranger(2 episodes)
  • "The Super-Batman of Planet X!" (as Batman of Zur-En-Arrh)
  • "Chill of the Night!" (as Phantom Stranger)
2009–13The Venture Bros.Captain Sunshine(2 episodes);
  • "Handsome Ransome"
  • "Bot Seeks Bot"
2013Tales of MetropolisBruce Wayne / Batman(1 episode); "Lois Lane"
2014Batman BeyondBruce WayneTV short
2014Batman: Strange DaysBruce Wayne / BatmanTV short
2015Turbo FASTStinger(1 episode); "The Sting of Injustice"[21]
2016–2018Justice League ActionBruce Wayne / BatmanMain role

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1992 Chain of Desire Joe
2013 Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics Himself
2013 I Know That Voice Himself
2014 Russian Yeti: The Killer Lives The Narrator Documentary film
2014 Alfred Alfred Short film
2016 Yoga Hosers Canadian Bat, Man!

Film (animated)

Year Title Role Notes
1993 Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Bruce Wayne / Batman Theatrical release
1998 Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero Direct-to-video
2000 Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
2003 Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
2005 The Complete Robin Storyboard Sequence Direct-to-video
Short film
2008 Batman: Gotham Knight Direct-to-video
2009 Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
2010 Superman/Batman: Apocalypse
2012 Justice League: Doom
2013 Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie The Mayor of Red Bank
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video
2014 Batman: Assault on Arkham
2015 Batman vs. Robin Thomas Wayne
2016 Batman: The Killing Joke Bruce Wayne / Batman Limited theatrical release/Direct-to-video
2017 Batman and Harley Quinn Direct-to-video

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
1994 The Adventures of Batman & Robin Bruce Wayne / Batman Sega CD version
1999 Crusaders of Might and Magic Drake
2001 Batman: Vengeance Bruce Wayne / Batman
2001 Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy Fisherman Did recording again for the remastered version for the PS3 version download and disc due to problems with audio.
2003 Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Lord Jack / Cleaner / Commando
2003 Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu Bruce Wayne / Batman
2003 Lords of EverQuest Lord Palasa
2009 Batman: Arkham Asylum Bruce Wayne / Batman / Thomas Wayne
2011 DC Universe Online Bruce Wayne / Batman
2011 Batman: Arkham City Bruce Wayne / Batman / Thomas Elliot / Hush
2011 Batman: Arkham City Lockdown Bruce Wayne / Batman
2012 Harley Quinn's Revenge Bruce Wayne / Batman
2013 Injustice: Gods Among Us Bruce Wayne / Batman
2015 Infinite Crisis Bruce Wayne / Batman [22][23]
2015 Batman: Arkham Knight Bruce Wayne / Batman / Thomas Elliot / Hush
2016 Batman: Arkham VR Bruce Wayne / Batman / Thomas Wayne
2017 Injustice 2 Bruce Wayne / Batman
2018 Lego DC Super-Villains Bruce Wayne / Batman

Stage plays

Stage PlayCharacter playedLocation performedYear
Accounts?Hudson Guild?
Come Back, Little Sheba?Roundabout Theatre?
DeathtrapClifford Anderson(on Broadway)1979[24]
Eastern Standard[24]Peter KiddeGolden Theatre (Broadway)[24]1989
The Greeks[25]OrestesHartford Stage1982
HamletLaertes[24]New York Shakespeare Festival1984
HamletLaertesOld Globe Theatre, San Diego?
King LearEdgarSan Diego Shakespeare Festival?
The Last YankeeLenny HamiltonSignature Theatre12/30/97 - 2/8/98
Lolita[24]?(on Broadway)?
A Midsummer Night's DreamLysander[24]New York Shakespeare Festival1984
A Midsummer Night's DreamLysanderOld Globe Theater, San Diego1982
Mother Courage???
Much Ado About NothingClaudioSan Diego Shakespeare Festival?

References

  1. ↑ "Top 10 Comic to TV Adaptations". IGN. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  2. ↑ "PoP! Interviews Kevin Conroy". Panels on Pages.
  3. 1 2 Murphy, Joel (2009-10-01). "One on One with Kevin Conroy". HoboTrashcan.
  4. ↑ Muskus, Jeff (2016-07-29). "'Batman: The Killing Joke' Finds Kevin Conroy Back Under the (Animated) Cowl". The New York Times.
  5. ↑ http://www.filmreference.com/film/2/Kevin-Conroy.html
  6. ↑ ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ Finds Kevin Conroy Back Under the (Animated) Cowl
  7. 1 2 "Conroy On Voicing The Caped Crusader In Batman: Gotham Knight". World's Finest Online.
  8. ↑ "A History of Batman on TV". IGN. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  9. ↑ "The Greatest Comic Book Cartoons of All Time". IGN. January 26, 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Top 25 Animated Movies of All-Time". IGN. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  11. ↑ "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Archived from the original on 30 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  12. ↑ Harvey, James (February 29, 2008). "Kevin Conroy to play Batman in Batman: Gotham Knight". World's Finest Online.
  13. ↑ McMillan, Graeme (April 25, 2012). "Batman Voice Actor Kevin Conroy Spills DC's Potential Animated 'Flashpoint' Plans". ComicsAlliance. Archived from the original on April 28, 2012.
  14. ↑ "I am Vengeance. I am the Night. I AM BATMAN!". YouTube.com. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  15. ↑ Batman: Gotham Knight audio commentary.
  16. ↑ BTAS/TDKR trailer on The Hub on YouTube, Web Video.
  17. ↑ Kubba, Sinan (June 11, 2013). "Batman: Arkham Origins doesn't feature Kevin Conroy after all". Joystiq. AOL. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  18. ↑ Dyer, Mitch (March 4, 2014). "Arkham Knight Has No Multiplayer, Kevin Conroy Returns as Batman". IGN. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Kevin Conroy on Twitter". Twitter.
  20. ↑ Video on YouTube
  21. ↑ "The Sting of Injustice". Turbo F.A.S.T. Season 2. Episode 8. July 31, 2015. Netflix.
  22. ↑ Turbine, Inc. Infinite Crisis. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Scene: Credits, Voice Over Talent.
  23. ↑ "Infinite Crisis Credits". Archived from the original on 2014-10-11.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Kevin Conroy - Other Works - IMDb". IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  25. ↑ Gussow, Mel (February 28, 1982). "STAGE: 'THE GREEKS,' 9 CLASSICS CONDENSED". New York Times. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
Preceded by
Adam West		 Voice of Batman
1992–2006		 Succeeded by
Rino Romano
Preceded by
Jeremy Sisto		 Voice of Batman
2008–present		 Succeeded by
Various Others (concurrent)
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