Kevin Conroy — the American actor known best for his work voicing DC Comics superhero Batman — has died. Conroy's Thursday death (November 10) was confirmed by DC today, revealing the actor passed away following "a short battle with cancer." He was 66.
Conroy, who was also a stage, film and television performer, rose to fame through voicing the caped crusader as the star of Batman: The Animated Series, which ran from 1992 to 1996.
He would go on to voice the character in nearly 60 additional productions. According to DC, that includes "15 films ... 15 animated series, spanning nearly 400 episodes and more than 100 hours of television; as well as two dozen video games."
In a statement, Mark Hamill — who starred opposite Conroy as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series — called Conroy "a brilliant actor," adding, "For several generations, he has been the definitive Batman. It was one of those perfect scenarios where they got the exact right guy for the exact right part, and the world was better for it. His rhythms and subtleties, tones and delivery – that all also helped inform my performance. He was the ideal partner – it was such a complementary, creative experience. I couldn't have done it without him. He will always be my Batman."
Born November 30, 1955, in Westbury, NY, Conroy attended the Julliard School, rooming with Robin Williams and studying acting alongside the likes of Christopher Reeve and Frances Conroy. In the world of theatre, Conroy delivered acclaimed performances in the Broadway production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Arthur Miller's The Last Yankee, and as the titular Hamlet at the 1984 New York Shakespeare Festival.
Conroy's work for film and television includes recurring roles on Dynasty, Tour of Duty and Ohara; spots on soap operas Search for Tomorrow and Another World; and guest appearances on series including Cheers, Matlock and Spenser: For Hire.
Conroy is survived by his husband Vaughn C. Williams, sister Trisha Conroy and brother Tom Conroy.
Conroy, who was also a stage, film and television performer, rose to fame through voicing the caped crusader as the star of Batman: The Animated Series, which ran from 1992 to 1996.
He would go on to voice the character in nearly 60 additional productions. According to DC, that includes "15 films ... 15 animated series, spanning nearly 400 episodes and more than 100 hours of television; as well as two dozen video games."
In a statement, Mark Hamill — who starred opposite Conroy as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series — called Conroy "a brilliant actor," adding, "For several generations, he has been the definitive Batman. It was one of those perfect scenarios where they got the exact right guy for the exact right part, and the world was better for it. His rhythms and subtleties, tones and delivery – that all also helped inform my performance. He was the ideal partner – it was such a complementary, creative experience. I couldn't have done it without him. He will always be my Batman."
Born November 30, 1955, in Westbury, NY, Conroy attended the Julliard School, rooming with Robin Williams and studying acting alongside the likes of Christopher Reeve and Frances Conroy. In the world of theatre, Conroy delivered acclaimed performances in the Broadway production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Arthur Miller's The Last Yankee, and as the titular Hamlet at the 1984 New York Shakespeare Festival.
Conroy's work for film and television includes recurring roles on Dynasty, Tour of Duty and Ohara; spots on soap operas Search for Tomorrow and Another World; and guest appearances on series including Cheers, Matlock and Spenser: For Hire.
Conroy is survived by his husband Vaughn C. Williams, sister Trisha Conroy and brother Tom Conroy.