The Joker Actors Ranked From Worst to Best
The Joker Actors Ranked From Worst to Best
1. Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for his performance as Arthur Fleck, a failed comedian who becomes the Joker, in "Joker" (2019). Phoenix's Joker is a tragic figure, a victim of society's neglect and cruelty, who embraces violence and chaos as a means of self-expression and revenge. Phoenix's performance was hailed as a tour de force, a raw and unsettling portrayal of a man's descent into madness. Phoenix's Joker is also notable for its political and social commentary, as it touches upon themes of class struggle, mental illness, and the power of media.
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Jared Leto's portrayal of the Joker in "Suicide Squad" (2016) was controversial and divisive. Leto's Joker was a tattooed, grinning gangster with a love for bling and violence. He was a far cry from the iconic versions of the Joker, such as Jack Nicholson's or Heath Ledger's. Leto's performance was criticized for being over-the-top, hammy, and disconnected from the story. Many fans also disliked his look and demeanor, which seemed more like a caricature than a real character.
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Cesar Romero played the Joker in the 1960s TV series "Batman" and the subsequent movie adaptation. Romero's Joker was a campy, clownish villain with a penchant for bad puns and silly pranks. He was more of a comic relief than a serious threat, and his performance was mostly aimed at entertaining children. Romero's Joker is remembered for his colorful costumes, his painted mustache, and his infectious laugh.
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Cameron Monaghan played the Joker, or rather, a proto-Joker, in the TV series "Gotham" (2014-2019). Monaghan's character, Jerome Valeska, was a deranged and charismatic young man who inspired a cult of followers and became the archenemy of the show's protagonist, Jim Gordon. Monaghan's performance was praised for its energy, its unpredictability, and its homage to various versions of the Joker, from Heath Ledger's to Jack Nicholson's. However, some fans felt that Monaghan's Joker was too derivative and lacked originality.
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Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker in The Dark Knight is so remarkable that it raises questions about whether his reputation precedes him. His work is not simply "good," but rather surpasses that level entirely.
Article continues below advertisementArticle continues below advertisementSome people were initially surprised by Ledger's casting, given his previous roles, which did not suggest that he would be a suitable fit for such an iconic and villainous character. However, this is precisely the beauty of his job as an actor - to surprise and challenge expectations. And he effortlessly proved all of the doubters wrong.
Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy aimed to depict a more realistic world, and so he sought a Joker who would fit into that world. As a result, the traditional comedic aspects of the character were eliminated, and there was no vat of chemicals in sight. Instead, The Joker was used as a symbol by the unnamed villain, demonstrating how the corruption of Gotham City could give birth to an anarchic demon like himself - much like how it gave birth to The Batman.
What made Ledger's portrayal of The Joker so terrifying was its believability. He was a genuine threat to the real world, using his own madness as a means of revealing the true, twisted nature of Gotham City. He sought to dismantle the system because it was already broken. However, Batman was the only incorruptible force in a world of corruption.
Despite the realistic approach taken by Nolan, Ledger managed to make his Joker every bit as larger-than-life as his comic book counterpart. His disturbing worldview raised a number of intriguing questions and, paradoxically, in an insane world, he seemed surprisingly sane. And that is what made him so terrifying.
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Tim Burton's 1989 Batman movie is widely regarded as a noir masterpiece. While it may have been titled Batman, the film was just as much about The Joker, played brilliantly by Jack Nicholson. In fact, some argue that The Joker was the true star of the movie, overshadowing even Michael Keaton's Caped Crusader. In this article, we will explore Nicholson's iconic portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime and why it remains a beloved performance to this day.
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Mark Hamill has voiced the Joker in various animated series, movies, and video games since the late 1980s. Hamill's Joker is a mix of menace, humor, and madness, a character who delights in causing chaos and tormenting his arch-nemesis, Batman. Hamill's performance is widely regarded as one of the best interpretations of the Joker, thanks to his versatility, his range, and his dedication to the role. Hamill's Joker is also praised for his distinctive voice, his iconic laugh, and his ability to convey both the horror and the comedy of the character.
Article continues below advertisementArticle continues below advertisementThe Joker is a character that has been portrayed by many actors in many ways, but only a few have managed to capture his essence and his impact. In this ranking, we have seen how different actors have interpreted the Joker, from the campy Cesar Romero to the tragic Joaquin Phoenix. Each version has its own merits and flaws, and each actor has brought something new to the character. In the end, the ranking is subjective, and opinions may differ. However, what remains undeniable is the enduring appeal of the Joker, a character that continues to fascinate and terrify audiences, and the talent and dedication of the actors who have brought him to life.
Adopting the Beloved Traits of the Comic Book Character
Nicholson's Joker brought many beloved traits of the comic book character to life in the movie. His twisted sense of humor and disregard for human life were on full display, as was his obsession with creating chaos and destruction. The Joker believed himself to be a homicidal artist, and he used extreme and twisted methods to achieve his goals. In his mind, the collateral damage caused by a few deaths along the way was worth it if it meant he could create true art.
Article continues below advertisementArticle continues below advertisementNicholson's Joker was originally a mobster named Jack Napier. His boss, Carl Grissom, set him up, which ultimately led to his demise at Axis Chemicals. However, this also led to his rebirth as The Joker. Like Romero's Joker before him, Nicholson's Joker transformed into a boisterous, loud, and campy maniac. The difference was that Nicholson's Joker was completely self-aware of his campiness and hammed it up, making him all the more sinister.
The Joker Actors Ranked From Worst to Best - FAQs
1. Who played the Joker in the Batman TV series?Cesar Romero played the Joker in the 1960s "Batman" TV series.
2. Who played the Joker in "Suicide Squad"?Jared Leto played the Joker in "Suicide Squad."
3. Who won an Oscar for playing the Joker?Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for his performance as the Joker in the 2019 movie "Joker."
4. Who voiced the Joker in the Batman animated series?Mark Hamill has voiced the Joker in various Batman animated series, movies, and video games.
5. What is the Joker's real name?The Joker's real name is not known, as he is a fictional character with multiple origins and identities.
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