Kevin Conroy

Kevin Conroy (born November 30, 1955) is an American actor and voice actor[2]. He is best known for his voice role as the DC Comics character Batman in many entertainment media, particularly on the 1990s Warner Bros. television show Batman: The Animated Series,[3] 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, the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham video games, and in fall 2019 he played a live action Bruce Wayne in the Arrowverse adaptation of Crisis on Infinite Earths.

For other people with the same name, see Kevin Conway.
Kevin Conroy
Conroy at the May 2018 MCM London Comic Con
Born (1955-11-30) November 30, 1955[1]
Westbury, New York, U.S.
EducationJuilliard School (BFA)
OccupationActor, voice actor
Years active1978–present
Known forVoice of Batman
Websitewww.realkevinconroy.com
Signature

Personal life

Conroy was born on November 30, 1955 in Westbury, New York,[1] into an Irish Catholic family. He 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.[4] 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.[5][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. Conroy 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 Edward Albee's adaptation of Lolita and Eastern Standard. He told The New York Times that, as a gay man living in New York in the time of the AIDS epidemic, he "went to so many funerals that I felt such a sense of obligation" to portray the character of a TV producer secretly living with AIDS in Eastern Standard.[6]

In 1984, Conroy 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. Conroy played gay lawyer Bart Fallmont on Dynasty from 1985 to 1986.[7] 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. Conroy has also guest starred on shows such as Cheers, Search for Tomorrow, Matlock and Murphy Brown.[8]

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 (1992–95).[9][10] He continued to voice Batman in numerous animated spin off projects, 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 (1997–99), Batman Beyond (1999–2001, in which he portrays an elderly Bruce Wayne retired from crimefighting), Justice League (2001–04) and Justice League Unlimited (2004–06) as well as the theatrical film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993),[11][12] 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.[5] 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), Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) and Justice League vs. the Fatal Five (2019).[8][13][14]

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"[15]) 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.[16]

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.[17]

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.[18] In March 4, 2014, a new Arkham game titled Batman: Arkham Knight was announced with Conroy reprising his role.[19]

Conroy at the 2019 WonderCon to promote Justice League vs. the Fatal Five

He confirmed on Twitter in October 2013 that he had filmed a role on Tim Daly's web series The Daly Show,[20] where Conroy parodied his role as Batman in a fight with Daly parodying Superman (whom Daly previously voiced in Superman: The Animated Series).[21]

Conroy portrays Bruce Wayne in live-action in the Batwoman episode of Arrowverse crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths".[22]

Filmography

Live-action

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

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1978How to Pick Up Girls!BartenderTelevision film
1980Another WorldJerry Grove6 episodes
1982Born BeautifulStanTelevision film
1982A Midsummer Night's DreamLysanderTelevision film
1983A Fine RomancePhilTelevision film
1983KennedyTed KennedyMiniseries
1984George WashingtonJohn Laurens1 episode
1984–85Search for TomorrowChase Kendall4 episodes
1985CovenantStephenTelevision film
1985–86DynastyBart FallmontRecurring role
8 episodes
1986MatlockClark HarrisonEpisode: "The Affair"
1986Kay O'BrienDavidEpisode: "Princess of the City"
1986Spenser: For HireGallagherEpisode: "Shadowsight"
1987OharaCaptain Lloyd HamiltonRecurring role
11 episodes
1987–88Tour of DutyCaptain Rusty WallaceRecurring role
12 episodes
1988Killer InstinctDr. Steven NelsonTelevision film
1990So Proudly We HailFrancis CrosbyTelevision film
1989–90CheersDarryl Mead2 episodes
1990The Face of FearFrank Dwight BollingerTelevision film
1990WIOULenny LubinskyEpisode: "Pilot"
1991Murphy BrownRoger HarrisEpisode: "Terror on the 17th Floor"
1991Hi Honey – I'm DeadBrad StadlerTelevision film
1992Rachel Gunn, R.N.Dr. David DunkleMain role
13 episodes
1992The Secret Passion of Robert ClaytonHunter Roy EvansTelevision film
1992Battle in the Erogenous ZoneMondo RayTelevision short
1994Island CityColonel Tom ValdoonTelevision film
1995The OfficeSteve GilmanRecurring role
6 episodes
2015Lair of the Mega SharkNarrator1 episode
2019BatwomanBruce Wayne / Batman (Earth-99)Episode: “Crisis on Infinite Earths” [23]
2019Crisis AftermathHimselfGuest[24]

Voice acting

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1993 Batman: Mask of the Phantasm[25] Bruce Wayne / Batman
1998 Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero[25] Direct-to-video
2000 Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker[25]
2003 Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman[25]
2005 The Complete Robin Storyboard Sequence Short film
Direct-to-video
2008 Batman: Gotham Knight[25] Direct-to-video
2009 Superman/Batman: Public Enemies[25]
2010 Superman/Batman: Apocalypse[25]
2012 Justice League: Doom[25]
2013 Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie The Mayor of Red Bank
2013 Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox[25] Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video
2014 Batman: Assault on Arkham[25]
2015 Batman vs. Robin Thomas Wayne
2016 Batman: The Killing Joke[25] Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video
Limited theatrical release
2017 Batman and Harley Quinn[25] Direct-to-video
2019 Justice League vs. the Fatal Five

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1992–95Batman: The Animated SeriesBruce Wayne / Batman, Additional VoicesMain role
85 episodes[25]
1996The Real Adventures of Jonny QuestHardmanEpisode: "Manhattan Maneater"
1997–99The New Batman AdventuresBruce Wayne / Batman, HenchmanMain role
24 episodes[25]
1997–99Superman: The Animated SeriesBruce Wayne / Batman5 episodes[25]
1999–2001Batman BeyondBruce Wayne, Stage BatmanMain role
48 episodes[25]
2001The Zeta ProjectBruce WayneEpisode: "Shadows"[25]
2001–04Justice LeagueBruce Wayne / Batman, Additional VoicesMain role
37 episodes[25]
2002–04Static ShockBruce Wayne / Batman5 episodes[25]
2004–06Justice League UnlimitedBruce Wayne / Batman, Joe Chill, Lee Travis / Crimson AvengerMain role
18 episodes[25]
2006The BatmanJohn GraysonEpisode: "A Matter of Family"[25]
2008Ben 10: Alien ForceBellicus, Alien X, Warrior #2Episode: "X Equals Ben Plus 2"[25]
2009, 2013The Venture Bros.Captain Sunshine2 episodes
2010Batman: The Brave and the BoldBatman of Zur-En-Arrh, Phantom Stranger2 episodes[25]
2013Tales of MetropolisBruce Wayne / BatmanEpisode: "Lois Lane"
2014Batman BeyondBruce WayneTelevision short
2014Batman: Strange DaysBruce Wayne / BatmanTelevision short
2014Green ArrowPolice ScannerEpisode: "Ono-Bot"
2014Shazam!ZeusEpisode: "Wisdom"
2015Turbo FASTStingerEpisode: "The Sting of Injustice"[25]
2016–18Justice League ActionBruce Wayne / BatmanMain role[25]
2018Teen Titans Go!Episode: "Real Orangins"[25]
2019Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?1 episode
2019Welcome to the WaynePrismal5 episodes[25]
2020Masters of the Universe: RevelationMer-Man[26]

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 [25]
2001 Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy Fisherman [25]
2003 Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Lord Jack, Cleaner, Commando
2003 Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu Bruce Wayne / Batman [25]
2003 Lords of EverQuest Lord Palasa
2009 Batman: Arkham Asylum Bruce Wayne / Batman, Thomas Wayne [25]
2011 DC Universe Online Bruce Wayne / Batman [25]
2011 Batman: Arkham City Bruce Wayne / Batman, Thomas Elliot / Hush
2011 Batman: Arkham City Lockdown Bruce Wayne / Batman
2013 Injustice: Gods Among Us
2015 Infinite Crisis [27][28]
2015 Batman: Arkham Knight Bruce Wayne / Batman, Thomas Elliot / Hush
2016 Batman: Arkham Underworld Bruce Wayne / Batman
2016 View-Master Batman Animated VR Bruce Wayne / Batman [25]
2016 Batman: Arkham VR Bruce Wayne / Batman, Thomas Wayne [25]
2017 Injustice 2 Bruce Wayne / Batman [25]
2018 Lego DC Super-Villains [25]

References
  1. "Happy Birthday To Westport's Kevin Conroy". The Daily Voice. November 30, 2015. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  2. https://www.todayfm.com/podcasts/maireadronan/mairead-meets-man-batman-27-years#:~:text=With%20a%20name%20like%20Kevin,spent%20a%20semester%20in%20UCD!
  3. "Top 10 Comic to TV Adaptations". IGN. Archived from the original on August 28, 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  4. Rodriguez, Lee (November 18, 2009). "PoP! Interviews Kevin Conroy". Panels on Pages. Archived from the original on July 12, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  5. Murphy, Joel (October 1, 2009). "One on One with Kevin Conroy". HoboTrashcan. Archived from the original on February 26, 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  6. Muskus, Jeff (July 29, 2016). "'Batman: The Killing Joke' Finds Kevin Conroy Back Under the (Animated) Cowl". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 29, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  7. Tropiano, Stephen (May 10, 2002). The Prime Time Closet: A History of Gays and Lesbians on TV. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 273. ISBN 1-55783-557-8. Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019 – via Google Books.
  8. "Conroy On Voicing The Caped Crusader In 'Batman: Gotham Knight'". World's Finest Online. Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  9. Collura, Scott; et al. "A History of Batman on TV". IGN. Archived from the original on November 23, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  10. George, Richard (January 26, 2007). "The Greatest Comic Book Cartoons Of All Time". IGN. Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  11. Pirrello, Phil; et al. (June 24, 2010). "Top 25 Animated Movies of All-Time". IGN. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  12. "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Archived from the original on January 30, 2008. Retrieved January 21, 2008.
  13. Harvey, James (February 29, 2008). "Kevin Conroy to play Batman in 'Batman: Gotham Knight'". World's Finest Online. Archived from the original on April 9, 2008.
  14. 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.
  15. "I am Vengeance. I am the Night. I AM BATMAN!". YouTube. September 19, 2011. Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  16. Batman: Gotham Knight audio commentary.
  17. Hub Network (July 17, 2012). "Batman: The Animated Series Rises (Promo)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  18. Kubba, Sinan (June 11, 2013). "Batman: Arkham Origins doesn't feature Kevin Conroy after all". Joystiq. Archived from the original on June 14, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  19. Dyer, Mitch (March 4, 2014). "Arkham Knight Has No Multiplayer, Kevin Conroy Returns as Batman". IGN. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  20. @RealKevinConroy (October 7, 2013). "Filming episode of the Daly Show with Tim Daly" (Tweet). Retrieved 31 October 2018 – via Twitter.
  21. DalyShowTV (November 12, 2013). "Batman vs. Superman - The Daly Show". YouTube. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  22. Mitovich, Matt Webb (August 4, 2019). "Arrowverse 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' Crossover Adds Black Lightning Stars, Bruce Wayne — Get Full Schedule". TVLine. Archived from the original on August 4, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  23. Agard, Chancellor (November 19, 2019). "New 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' photos reveal Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 20, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  24. Bucksbaum, Sydney (December 8, 2019). "3 things to expect from the CW's 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' after-show". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  25. "Behind The Voice Actors - Kevin Conroy". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on July 8, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  26. "Mark Hamill Will Voice Skeletor on the New 'Masters of the Universe'". Screen Rant. February 14, 2020. Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  27. Turbine, Inc. Infinite Crisis. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Scene: Credits, Voice Over Talent.
  28. "Credits". Infinite Crisis. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014.
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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