https://www.superherohype.com/news/545532-arleen-sorkin-passes-away-harley-quinn

Harley Quinn (https://www.superherohype.com/comics/545324-the-history-of-harley-quinn-and-harlequin-at-dc-comics) voice actress Arleen Sorkin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arleen_Sorkin) has passed away at the age of 67.

The news was broken by fellow veteran voice actor Neil Kaplan on Twitter (https://twitter.com/NeKap/status/1695523728010994081). “It broke my heart to hear… the original voice of Harley Quinn, [Arleen] Sorkin has passed away,” said Kaplan. “I adored her work as HQ & as Calliope in Days of Our Lives.”

Sorkin was the first to voice Quinn, who was created by her college friend Paul Dini, in the legendary Batman: The Animated Series. She would reprise the role, which she wound up inspiring, in several series, such as Superman: The Animated Series, Gotham Girls, Static Shock, and Justice League, as well as several video games. Sorkin also appeared as Ms. Bambi in the movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and reprised her Quinn role in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

Prior to voice acting, Sorkin played Calliope Jones in Days of Our Lives and was a co-host on America’s Funniest People. She was married to television producer Christopher Lloyd (co-creator of Modern Family) and had two sons.

SuperHeroHype sends condolences to Sorkin’s friends and family.

https://extratv.com/2023/08/26/arleen-sorkin-dies/

Arleen Sorkin, known for her performance as Calliope on "Days of Our Lives" and as the original voice of Harley Quinn, has died at 67.

Her passing was confirmed on Twitter by Neil Kaplan, a fellow voice actor, who wrote, "It broke my heart to hear… the original voice of Harley Quinn, Arlene Sorkin has passed away. I adored her work as HQ & as Calliope in “Days of Our Lives.”

Sorkin was born October 14, 1955, in Washington, D.C. She was a cabaret performer and worked in a comedy troupe in the '70s and '80s, and found fame as Calliope Jones on "Days of Our Lives" (1984-1990; 1992; 2001; 2006; 2010).

She was also a regular on the series "Duet" (1987-1989), was a co-host on "America's Funniest People" (1990), and as a writer worked on "Tiny Toon Adventures" (1990-1992) and the Jennifer Aniston vehicle "Picture Perfect" (1997).

It was Sorkin who inspired the character of Harley Quinn, the Joker's girlfriend — her college roommate, Paul Dini, created the character, which first appeared on "Batman: The Animated Series" (1992). The character was directly influenced by a series of out-there dream sequences Sorkin performed in on "Days," and Sorkin was the first voice actor to breathe life into Harley Quinn, doing so in several TV series and other projects.

Lady Gaga will be seen as Harley Quinn in the feature film "Joker: Folie à Deux," coming in 2024.

She won four Soap Opera Digest Awards and shared a Peabody Award with Jessica Hernández.

Sorkin is survived by her husband of 26 years, TV producer and writer Christopher Lloyd; and their sons Eli and Owen.

It's a shame what happened to that character. The original Harley Quinn was supposed to be this cute, innocent goofball. Over time, they turned her into a trashy bimbo. Some people will disagree, but Arleen Sorkin will always be the true HQ.

Arleen Sorkin's 10 Best Performances as Harley Quinn (https://www.cbr.com/arleen-sorkin-best-harley-quinn-performances/)

Arleen Sorkin was the inspiration for Harley Quinn and played the character to perfection in the DCAU. Here are her 10 most memorable performances.

Arleen Sorkin's 10 Best Performances as Harley Quinn (https://www.cbr.com/arleen-sorkin-best-harley-quinn-performances/)

Arleen Sorkin was the inspiration for Harley Quinn and played the character to perfection in the DCAU. Here are her 10 most memorable performances.

I have heard Paul Dini say that so many times. I don't believe him, because there are two other sources that seemed to have been a more direct inspiration than his claim that he was inspired by her wearing a clown costume on TV--Judy Holliday and Daryl Hannah's character from Blade Runner.

This isn't to take away from Arleen Sorkin as the signature actress who defined the role of Harley Quinn or begrudge Dini for wanting to immortalize her as such, but his claims ring false in terms of what inspired the character. Sometimes, as a form of deflection, people will try to claim they were inspired by someone or something else other than the truth source, and as a creative myself, I can't stand it when people do that. Just honor Sorkin by saying that she gave life to the character.

Every DCAU Harley Quinn Episode, Ranked (https://www.cbr.com/every-harley-quinn-dcau-episode-ranked/)

Harley Quinn began with Batman: The Animated Series and Arleen Sorkin's indelible vocal performance. Here's every time she appeared in the DCAU.