Kevin Conroy voiced Bruce Wayne/Batman in ‘Batman: The Animated Series.’
Kevin Conroy, the fan favorite voice actor best known for playing Batman in a number of animated TV shows and films, has passed away. He is 66 years old.
Born November 30, 1955, in Westbury, New York, and raised in Westport, Connecticut, Conroy began to establish himself in the acting community while under the tutelage of John Houseman at The Julliard School, where he studied with the likes of Christopher Reeve, Frances Conroy, and her roommate, Robin Williams.
Conroy began his career following his love of theatre, keeping him on stage in New York and at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego. The actor received rave reviews for his starring performances in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at the Public Theatre, Eastern Standard on Broadway, Arthur Miller’s ‘The Last Yankee’, and in the lead role of Hamlet at the 1984 New York Shakespeare Festival.
He also appeared in film and television, especially in the mid-1980s when he had recurring roles in ‘Dynasty’, ‘Tour of Duty’ and the crime drama ‘Ohara’, had success in the soap opera ‘Search for Tomorrow’ and others. World’, and guest roles in hit series like ‘Cheers’, ‘Murphy Brown’, ‘Spenser: For Hire’ and ‘Matlock’.
Kevin Conroy played Bruce Wayne / Batman in ‘Batman: The Animated Series.’
But as a Caped Crusader he truly found his calling. He provided the voice of Bruce Wayne/Batman in ‘Batman: The Animated Series’, which was released in 1992. And from there took on roles in several Bat projects including shows such as ‘Batman Beyond’ and ‘Justice League/Justice League Unlimited’, films began from ‘Batman: the Killing Joke’ and ‘Batman: Gotham Knight’ to ‘Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero’ and ‘Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman’. And he’s also been part of the cast for more than two dozen video games. In 2019, he realized a longtime ambition for the character, playing the live action Bruce Wayne in the Arrowverse crossover event ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’.
“Kevin is so much more than an actor I have the pleasure of casting and directing – he is a dear friend of 30+ years whose kindness and charitable spirit knows no bounds,” said casting/dialogue director Andrea Romano. “Kevin’s warm heart, deep laugh and pure love will live with me forever.”
“Kevin is a brilliant actor,” said Mark Hamill, who played the Joker to winning effect opposite Conroy for years. “For generations, he has been the definitive Batman. It was one of those perfect scenarios where they got the right guy for the right part, and the world was a better place for it. Rhythm and subtlety, tone and delivery – they also help inform my performance. He was the ideal partner – it was a complementary creative experience. I can’t do it without him. He will always be my Batman.”
And it’s not just on the job side where Conroy shines, according to Hamill. “He is one of my favorite people on this planet, and I love him like a brother. He genuinely cares about those around him – his courtesy radiates through everything he does. Every time I see or talk to him, my spirits rise.”
Conroy is survived by husband Vaughn C. Williams, sister Trisha Conroy, and brother Tom Conroy.
Kevin Conroy (far right) participates in a Comic-Con International panel.
