Benzinga Buzz: A Tribute To 'Harley Quinn' Actress Arleen Sorkin

Each week, Benzinga Buzz compiles the latest entertainment news into a cohesive column for your consideration. Read on for the latest updates — both useful and irreverent.

This weekend, a voice from my childhood went silent.

Arleen Sorkin, the first actor to portray iconic DC villain Harley Quinn, passed away at 67 years old.

How often I sat, as a kid, transfixed by the opening theme of "Batman: The Animated Series." And when it was an episode featuring Sorkin, you knew it was going to be special.

What a joy, and rarity, it was to hear the cadence of an authentic Brooklyn accent in a superhero cartoon. Indeed, it was similar to many of the voices I had heard growing up among family members.

Not only did Sorkin clock in the most air-time as Harley, but she was also the inspiration for the character in the first place. Her college pal, Paul Dini, was a co-creator of the Batman show. He based the character of "Harleen Quinzel" on Sorkin, who played a jester in a dream sequence on the daytime soap opera "Days of Our Lives."

Sorkin would go on to voice Harley over the course of about three decades — episodic television, feature-length movies and video games.

Without this gorgeous, talented goddess, #HarleyQuinn would have never existed. She was the inspiration & the heart & soul of this iconic character. I was in awe as #Batgirl watching her alongside @MarkHamill & Kevin. Sending love to her family #RipArleenSorkin �🖤 🦇 pic.twitter.com/8zQdHsyOyM

— tara strong (@tarastrong) August 26, 2023

To those who are only familiar with Margot Robbie's portrayal in live-action films, check out the episode "Mad Love" on Max, the Warner Bros. Discovery streamer. Harley Quinn does something her maniacal boss/love interest, the Joker (Mark Hamill), never could — defeat The Dark Knight. You go in thinking it's just another Saturday morning cartoon. But Sorkin and Dini managed to tell a horrific, powerful, and yet thought-provoking story about a toxic relationship in just 22 minutes.

Here, Hamill laments the loss of his late acting partner:

Devastated to learn we've lost the brilliant Arleen Sorkin. Not just a wonderful talent, but a truly wonderful person. I'm grateful not only to have worked with her, but to have been her friend. 🙏 Sending my heartfelt condolences to her family & loved ones. 💔 pic.twitter.com/g1Mb3BWoKn

— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) August 27, 2023

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For the last edition of Benzinga Buzz, click here.

Image: Pixabay