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Kevin Conroy

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Not to be confused with Kevin Conway (actor).
Kevin Conroy
Conroy at 2009 San Diego Comic-Con International
Born (1955-11-30) November 30, 1955 (age 69)
Westbury, New York, U.S.
Alma materJuilliard School
Occupation(s)Actor, voice actor
Years active1978–present
Known forBatman (voice)
Websitewww.realkevinconroy.com

Kevin Conroy (born November 30, 1955) is an American actor and voice actor best known for his voice role as the DC Comics character Batman on the 1990s Warner Bros. television series Batman: The Animated Series,[1] as well as various other TV series and feature films in the DC animated universe. Due to the popularity of his performance as Batman, Conroy went on to voice the character for multiple films under the DC Universe Animated Original Movies banner and various video games, including the acclaimed Batman: Arkham series.

Personal life

Born in Westbury, New York, Conroy moved to Westport, Connecticut when he was about 11 years old. He moved to New York City in 1973 when he earned a full scholarship to attend Juilliard's drama division, studying under actor John Houseman. While there, he roomed with Robin Williams who was in the same group as both Conroy and Kelsey Grammer.[2] After graduating from Juilliard in 1978, he toured with Houseman's acting group The Acting Company, and the following year he went on the national tour of Ira Levin's Deathtrap.[3] In 2016, an article in The New York Times noted that Conroy is gay. [4]

Career

In 1980, Conroy decided to try his hand in television and moved out to California. He landed a role in the daytime soap opera Another World. He became associated with the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California, where he performed in productions of Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. From 1980 to 1985, he acted in a variety of contemporary and classic theatre pieces, including the Broadway productions of Eastern Standard and Edward Albee's adaptation of Lolita. In 1984, he played the title role in Hamlet at the New York Shakespeare Festival. He returned to television in the 1985 TV movie Covenant and had a role on another daytime soap drama, Search for Tomorrow. He was a series regular on Ohara in 1987, and as the company commander on Tour of Duty from 1987 to 1988, before starring in a series of television movies. Though initially cast as one of the show's main characters, his role on the show was reduced while it filmed in Hawaii and he ended up spending much of his time doing portraits of tourists on the Honolulu boardwalk. He has also guest starred on shows such as Cheers, Dynasty, Search for Tomorrow, Matlock and Murphy Brown.[5]

As Batman

As a voice actor, Kevin Conroy is best known for his starring role as Bruce Wayne/Batman in the acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995).[6][7] He continued to voice Batman in numerous animated projects from which the series was spun off into, which collectively took place in what is known as the DC animated universe (DCAU). These spin-offs include the TV shows The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999), Batman Beyond (1999–2001, in which he portrays an elderly Bruce Wayne retired from crimefighting), Justice League (2001–2004) and Justice League Unlimited (2004–2006) as well as the theatrical film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993),[8][9] and the direct-to-video films Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998), Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000) and Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003). He also voiced Batman for the character's guest appearances in the DCAU's Superman: The Animated Series, Static Shock and The Zeta Project.

Conroy speaking at the 2017 Phoenix Comicon

Conroy is distinguished for being the first voice actor to use two distinct voices to portray Bruce Wayne and Batman, which Michael Keaton had previously done in Tim Burton's live-action Batman films.[3] In a tally of performances that include every episode and movie portrayal of Batman in live-action and animation, Conroy has portrayed the character longer than any other actor. The previous record-holder was Olan Soule, who voiced Batman in various animated works between the late 1960s and early 1980s; including Super Friends. Apart from the DCAU, Conroy has also portrayed Batman in the direct-to-video DC Universe Animated Original Movies: Batman: Gotham Knight (2008), Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009), Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010), Justice League: Doom (2012), Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013), Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014) and Batman: The Killing Joke (2016).[5][10][11]

After the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City, Conroy participated in relief efforts by volunteering to cook for police officers and firefighters. During an audio commentary on Batman: Gotham Knight, Conroy expressed his surprise at the reaction of the emergency service workers to his presence. At the behest of another cook, Conroy called out from the kitchen to the dining area in his "Batman voice", reciting the iconic line, "I am vengeance! I am the night! I am Batman!" (from the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Nothing to Fear"[12]) This was greeted by cheers and applause from emergency service personnel, many of whom had been fans of Batman: The Animated Series during its airing in the 1990s. Conroy confessed to being humbled and deeply flattered by the reaction.[13]

In preparation for the theatrical release of the 2012 live-action film The Dark Knight Rises, Conroy re-dubbed Christian Bale's Batman lines for an animated version of one of the film's trailers.[14]

Conroy stated at the 2013 Dallas Comic Con that he had been working on "the next Arkham", leading to rampant speculation that he would reprise his role as Batman in Batman: Arkham Origins. In June 2013, however, it was confirmed that Conroy would not be involved in Arkham Origins, meaning Conroy may have been referring to an yet-unannounced game from the Rocksteady Arkham series.[15] In March 4, 2014, a new Arkham game titled Batman: Arkham Knight was announced with Conroy reprising his role.[16]

He confirmed on Twitter that he filmed a role on Tim Daly's web series The Daly Show,[17] where Conroy parodied his role as Batman in a fight with Daly parodying Superman (whom Daly previously voiced in Superman: The Animated Series).[18]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1978 How to Pick Up Girls! Bartender TV movie
1980 Another World Jerry Grove (2 episodes)
1982 Born Beautiful Stan TV movie
1982 A Midsummer Night's Dream Lysander TV movie
1983 A Fine Romance Phil TV movie
1983 Kennedy Ted Kennedy TV mini-series
1984 George Washington John Laurens TV mini-series; 1 episode
1984–85 Search for Tomorrow Chase Kendall (4 episodes); "Episode 8556", "Episode 8574", "Episode 8669", "Episode 8670"
1985 Covenant Stephen TV movie
1985–86 Dynasty Bart Fallmont Recurring role; 8 episodes
1986 Matlock Clark Harrison (1 episode); "The Affair"
1986 Kay O'Brien David (1 episode); "Princess of the City"
1986 Spenser: For Hire Gallagher (1 episode); "Shadowsight"
1987 Ohara Captain Lloyd Hamilton Recurring role; 11 episodes
1987–88 Tour of Duty Captain Rusty Wallace Recurring role; 12 episodes
1988 Killer Instinct Dr. Steven Nelson TV movie
1990 So Proudly We Hail Francis Crosby TV movie
1989–90 Cheers Darryl Mead (2 episodes); "The Ghost & Mrs. LeBec", "Death Takes a Holiday on Ice"
1990 The Face of Fear Frank Dwight Bollinger TV movie
1990 WIOU Lenny Lubinsky (1 episode); "Pilot"
1991 Murphy Brown Roger Harris (1 episode); "Terror on the 17th Floor"
1991 Hi Honey - I'm Dead Brad Stadler TV movie
1992 Rachel Gunn, R.N. Dr. David Dunkle Main role; 13 episodes
1992 The Secret Passion of Robert Clayton Hunter Roy Evans TV movie
1992 Battle in the Erogenous Zone Mondo Ray TV short movie
1994 Island City Colonel Tom Valdoon TV movie
1995 The Office Steve Gilman Recurring role; 6 episodes
2015 Lair of the Mega Shark Narrator (1 episode, Shark Week 2015)

Television (animated)

Year Title Role Notes
1992–95 Batman: The Animated Series Bruce Wayne / Batman / Additional Voices Main role; 85 episodes
1996 The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest Hardman (1 episode); "Manhattan Maneater"
1997–99 The New Batman Adventures Bruce Wayne / Batman / Henchman Main role; 24 episodes
1997–99 Superman: The Animated Series Bruce Wayne / Batman (5 episodes);
  • "World's Finest" (Part 1-3)
  • "Knight Time"
  • "The Demon Reborn"
1999–01 Batman Beyond Bruce Wayne Main role; 48 episodes
2001 The Zeta Project Bruce Wayne (1 episode); "Shadows"
2001–04 Justice League Bruce Wayne / Batman / Technician / Cop / Civilian / Lord Batman / High Council Thanagarian Main role; 37 episodes
2002–04 Static Shock Bruce Wayne / Batman (5 episodes);
  • "The Big Leagues"
  • "Hard as Nails"
  • "A League of Their Own" (Part 1-2)
  • "Future Shock"
2004–06 Justice League Unlimited Bruce Wayne / Batman / Joe Chill / Crimson Avenger (Lee Travis) / Pilot / Sky Patrol Officer Main role; 18 episodes; also performed, though uncredited, the song "Am I Blue?" in the episode "This Little Piggy"
2006 The Batman John Grayson (1 episode); "A Matter of Family"
2008 Ben 10: Alien Force Bellicus / Warrior #2 (1 episode); "X Equals Ben Plus 2"
2010 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Batman of Zur-En-Arrh / Phantom Stranger (2 episodes)
  • "The Super-Batman of Planet X!" (as Batman of Zur-En-Arrh)
  • "Chill of the Night!" (as Phantom Stranger)
2009–13 The Venture Bros. Captain Sunshine (2 episodes);
  • "Handsome Ransome"
  • "Bot Seeks Bot"
2013 Tales of Metropolis Bruce Wayne / Batman (1 episode); "Lois Lane"
2014 Batman Beyond Bruce Wayne TV short
2014 Batman: Strange Days Bruce Wayne / Batman TV short
2015 Turbo FAST Stinger (1 episode); "The Sting of Injustice"[19]
2016–present Justice League Action Bruce Wayne / Batman Main role

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1992 Chain of Desire Joe
2013 Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics Himself
2013 I Know That Voice Himself
2014 Russian Yeti: The Killer Lives The Narrator Documentary film
2016 Yoga Hosers Canadian Bat, Man!

Film (animated)

Year Title Role Notes
1993 Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Bruce Wayne / Batman Theatrical release
1998 Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video
2000 Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video
2003 Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video
2005 The Complete Robin Storyboard Sequence Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video
Short film
2008 Batman: Gotham Knight Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video
2009 Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video
2010 Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video
2012 Justice League: Doom Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video
2013 Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie The Mayor of Red Bank
2013 Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video
2014 Batman: Assault on Arkham Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video
2015 Batman vs. Robin Thomas Wayne Direct-to-video
2016 Batman: The Killing Joke Bruce Wayne / Batman Limited theatrical release/Direct-to-video
2017 Batman and Harley Quinn Bruce Wayne / Batman Direct-to-video

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
1994 The Adventures of Batman & Robin Bruce Wayne / Batman Sega CD version
1999 Crusaders of Might and Magic Drake
2001 Batman: Vengeance Bruce Wayne / Batman
2001 Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy Ollie the Fisherman Did recording again for the remastered version for the PS3 version download and disc due to problems with audio.
2003 Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Lord Jack / Cleaner / Commando
2003 Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu Bruce Wayne / Batman
2003 Lords of EverQuest Lord Palasa
2009 Batman: Arkham Asylum Bruce Wayne / Batman / Thomas Wayne
2011 DC Universe Online Bruce Wayne / Batman
2011 Batman: Arkham City Bruce Wayne / Batman / Thomas Elliot / Hush
2011 Batman: Arkham City Lockdown Bruce Wayne / Batman
2012 Harley Quinn's Revenge Bruce Wayne / Batman
2013 Injustice: Gods Among Us Bruce Wayne / Batman
2015 Infinite Crisis Bruce Wayne / Batman [20][21]
2015 Batman: Arkham Knight Bruce Wayne / Batman / Thomas Elliot / Hush
2016 Batman: Arkham VR Bruce Wayne / Batman / Thomas Wayne
2017 Injustice 2 Bruce Wayne / Batman

Stage plays

Stage Play Character played Location performed Year
Accounts ? Hudson Guild ?
Come Back, Little Sheba ? Roundabout Theatre ?
Deathtrap Clifford Anderson (on Broadway) 1979[22]
Eastern Standard[22] Peter Kidde Golden Theatre (Broadway)[22] 1989
The Greeks[23] Orestes Hartford Stage 1982
Hamlet Laertes[22] New York Shakespeare Festival 1984
Hamlet Laertes Old Globe Theatre, San Diego ?
King Lear Edgar San Diego Shakespeare Festival ?
The Last Yankee Lenny Hamilton Signature Theatre 12/30/97 - 2/8/98
Lolita[22] ? (on Broadway) ?
A Midsummer Night's Dream Lysander[22] New York Shakespeare Festival 1984
A Midsummer Night's Dream Lysander Old Globe Theater, San Diego 1982
Mother Courage ? ? ?
Much Ado About Nothing ? San Diego Shakespeare Festival ?

References

  1. ^ "Top 10 Comic to TV Adaptations". IGN. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  2. ^ "PoP! Interviews Kevin Conroy". Panels on Pages.
  3. ^ a b Murphy, Joel (2009-10-01). "One on One with Kevin Conroy". HoboTrashcan.
  4. ^ Muskus, Jeff (2016-07-29). "'Batman: The Killing Joke' Finds Kevin Conroy Back Under the (Animated) Cowl". The New York Times.
  5. ^ a b "Conroy On Voicing The Caped Crusader In Batman: Gotham Knight". World's Finest Online.
  6. ^ "A History of Batman on TV". IGN. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  7. ^ "The Greatest Comic Book Cartoons of All Time". IGN. January 26, 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  8. ^ "Top 25 Animated Movies of All-Time". IGN. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  9. ^ "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Archived from the original on 30 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Harvey, James (February 29, 2008). "Kevin Conroy to play Batman in Batman: Gotham Knight". World's Finest Online.
  11. ^ McMillan, Graeme (April 25, 2012). "Batman Voice Actor Kevin Conroy Spills DC's Potential Animated 'Flashpoint' Plans". ComicsAlliance. Archived from the original on April 28, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "I am Vengeance. I am the Night. I AM BATMAN!". YouTube.com. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  13. ^ Batman: Gotham Knight audio commentary.
  14. ^ BTAS/TDKR trailer on The Hub on YouTube, Web Video.
  15. ^ Kubba, Sinan (June 11, 2013). "Batman: Arkham Origins doesn't feature Kevin Conroy after all". Joystiq. AOL. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  16. ^ Dyer, Mitch (March 4, 2014). "Arkham Knight Has No Multiplayer, Kevin Conroy Returns as Batman". IGN. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Kevin Conroy on Twitter". Twitter.
  18. ^ Video on YouTube
  19. ^ "The Sting of Injustice". Turbo F.A.S.T. Season 2. Episode 8. July 31, 2015. Netflix.
  20. ^ Turbine, Inc. Infinite Crisis. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Scene: Credits, Voice Over Talent.
  21. ^ "Infinite Crisis Credits". Archived from the original on 2014-10-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ a b c d e f "Kevin Conroy - Other Works - IMDb". IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  23. ^ Gussow, Mel (February 28, 1982). "STAGE: 'THE GREEKS,' 9 CLASSICS CONDENSED". New York Times. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
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Preceded by Voice of Batman
1992–2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Voice of Batman
2008–present 		Succeeded by
Various Others (concurrent)
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