Actors Who Played the Joker — From Cesar Romero to Joaquin Phoenix

Discover the actors who have portrayed Batman’s most famous enemy!

The First Joker: Cesar Romero

Cesar Romero was an American actor of Cuban origin, born on February 15, 1907, in New York and who died on January 1, 1994, in Santa Monica, California.
He is best known for portraying the Joker in the Batman television series, broadcast from 1966 to 1968.

The show, starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, was a popular production and a major success at the time.
A reference to Cesar Romero can also be found inside the Joker Room at Batman Escape Game Paris.

Romero’s Joker was a colorful and often comedic incarnation of the famous villain from the Batman universe.
He was recognizable for his trademark laugh, eccentric costumes, and diabolical schemes to spread chaos throughout Gotham City.

This actor brought boundless energy and a touch of madness to the character, transforming him into one of the most iconic villains in the series.

His interpretation of the Joker:
Played by Cesar Romero, this supervillain was a lighter and less dark version compared to later portrayals.
He was loved by many fans for his ability to bring humor and entertainment to the screen, helping make the Joker an enduring figure of pop culture.

Romero’s performance in the Batman series was praised for its liveliness and eccentricity.
It captivated audiences and became deeply rooted in popular culture, solidifying the Joker’s reputation as one of Batman’s greatest enemies.

The Revelation: Jack Nicholson

Jack Nicholson was chosen to bring the Joker to life on the big screen in Batman, directed by Tim Burton and released in 1989.
This film marked a major turning point for the Joker character in cinema, offering a dark and memorable portrayal of Gotham City’s most infamous villain.

The makeup for Nicholson’s Joker, designed by the legendary artist Nick Dudman, became instantly iconic — pale white skin, crimson lips stretched into a sinister smile, and black-rimmed eyes.

Nicholson’s Joker in Detail:
In the film, the clown-faced villain is presented as Jack Napier, a cruel gangster who becomes the Joker after falling into a vat of acid during a confrontation with Batman.

Nicholson’s Joker combines charisma, madness, and menace — terrifying yet captivating, with twisted humor and unpredictable violence.
He also brings depth to the character, exploring the Joker’s psyche and motivations.

Nicholson’s performance was widely acclaimed by both fans and critics as one of the actor’s greatest roles — and one of the most defining portrayals in Batman’s cinematic history.
His work helped elevate the Joker to legendary villain status, and Tim Burton’s film remains a classic of the superhero genre.

The Most Beloved: Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger also portrayed the Joker in The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan and released in 2008.
His version is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential of all time.

Heath Ledger also portrayed the Joker in The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan and released in 2008.
His version is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential of all time.

In The Dark Knight, the villain appears as an agent of chaos, an anarchist determined to spread destruction throughout Gotham City and push Batman to his limits.
Ledger brought to the role a frightening intensity and total unpredictability, embodying a psychopathic figure whose motives remain mysterious and elusive.

The actor completely immersed himself in the character, transforming his voice and physicality.
His makeup — marked by grotesque scars forming a permanent smile — became legendary, as did his chilling laughter and unsettling facial expressions.

Critical Reception:
What made Ledger’s Joker so remarkable was the depth and complexity he gave to the role.
Despite his violent actions, the Joker displays a Machiavellian intelligence and a profound understanding of human nature.
He uses chaos as a tool to expose truth and challenge society’s sense of morality and order.

Tragically, Ledger died before the film’s release, adding a note of tragedy to an already legendary performance.
He posthumously received numerous awards, including the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Ledger’s contribution to cinema remains undeniable — his Joker became the benchmark for all future portrayals and one of the greatest performances in film history.

The Gangster Clown: Jared Leto

Jared Leto portrayed the Joker in Suicide Squad (2016), directed by David Ayer.
His performance sparked mixed reactions from fans and critics alike.

In Suicide Squad, the Joker is a ruthless, unpredictable criminal obsessed with Harley Quinn (played by Margot Robbie).
Leto’s Joker stood out for his eccentric appearance — tattoos, metal teeth, and neon green hair — as well as his erratic and flamboyant behavior.

His deep, gravelly voice added menace to his chaotic energy.

However, his version was criticized for being overly stylized and lacking emotional depth.
Additionally, much of his footage was cut from the final edit, leading to speculation about what could have been.

Despite controversy, Leto’s Joker brought a modern and flashy twist to the character — and, though brief, left a mark on the DC cinematic universe.

The Latest Joker: Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix is, to date, the most recent actor to embody Batman’s nemesis, in Joker (2019), directed by Todd Phillips.
His performance was universally acclaimed and earned him the Oscar for Best Actor.

In the film, the protagonist Arthur Fleck gradually descends into madness.
Phoenix delivered a haunting and emotional performance as a man plagued by mental illness and social isolation, whose transformation into the Joker is both tragic and terrifying.

Phoenix’s physical transformation — including significant weight loss and a distinctive walk and laugh — added authenticity to his portrayal.

Unlike traditional superhero films, Joker offers a realistic and disturbing psychological portrait of a broken man turned symbol of rebellion and chaos.

Phoenix’s performance is often considered one of the best of his career and one of the most complex portrayals of the Clown Prince of Crime in cinema.

What’s Next?

As you can see, playing the Joker is no small task.
Batman’s nemesis leaves as strong an impression as the hero himself.

In 2024, Joaquin Phoenix’s sadistic murderer is set to return in the upcoming sequel Joker: Folie à Deux.
The film is expected to continue exploring the dark psychological themes that made the first movie so successful — possibly delving deeper into Phoenix’s evolution and his relationship with Gotham City.

The Joker and Harley Quinn Duo

And what if more actors took up the mantle?

Imagine new talents bringing unseen dimensions to the character — theater-trained performers exploring his tormented psyche, action stars delivering a more physical menace, or comedians adding a darkly humorous twist.

Would they win the same acclaim, perhaps even an Oscar?
The bar is set high — but Hollywood is surely already thinking about who could succeed Phoenix, because what works at the box office… always attracts big money.

Still Fascinated by the Joker?

Come face him yourself in Gotham City!
Step into his world through the immersive Batman Escape Game in Paris, where you take the lead role in a thrilling adventure full of traps set by the Joker himself.

Choose your allies wisely… or risk ending up in Arkham Asylum.