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The Clown Prince Of Chaos: Every Actor Who Played The Joker And What They’re Doing Now (2025 Update)

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The Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime, is arguably the most iconic and complex villain in comic book history. His chaotic, nihilistic, and ever-evolving nature has made him a coveted role for actors across generations, with each performer bringing a unique, often Oscar-worthy, interpretation to the character. As of the current date, December 25, 2025, the conversation around "who plays The Joker" is more dynamic than ever, centered on the highly anticipated return of an Academy Award-winning star and the dark, mysterious future of another.

Currently, the mantle is firmly held by Joaquin Phoenix, who is set to reprise his role in the musical sequel, *Joker: Folie à Deux*. However, the DC cinematic landscape is a complex tapestry, also featuring the terrifying, scarred version introduced by Barry Keoghan in Matt Reeves' *The Batman* universe. This article provides a deep dive into every major live-action actor who has portrayed the legendary villain, detailing their performance, legacy, and the latest updates on the character's cinematic future.

The Definitive List of Live-Action Joker Actors and Their Biography

The Joker has been brought to life by six main actors in live-action theatrical films and major television series, each leaving an indelible mark on the character’s legacy. This list details the essential facts about the men behind the makeup.

  • Cesar Romero (1966–1968)
    • Born: February 15, 1907 (New York City, New York, U.S.)
    • Died: January 27, 1994 (Santa Monica, California, U.S.)
    • Portrayal: The original live-action Joker in the *Batman* TV series and 1966 film. His version was a playful, campy prankster, reflecting the bright, pop-art tone of the era.
    • Key Fact: Famously refused to shave his signature mustache, which can be seen under his white makeup.
  • Jack Nicholson (1989)
    • Born: April 22, 1937 (Neptune City, New Jersey, U.S.)
    • Net Worth: Estimated at $400 million.
    • Portrayal: Jack Napier, the mobster who falls into a vat of chemicals in Tim Burton’s *Batman* (1989). His performance was a blend of gangster menace and vaudevillian showmanship.
    • Key Fact: Nicholson negotiated a legendary contract that included a percentage of the film's gross and merchandising, earning him an estimated $60–$90 million.
  • Heath Ledger (2008)
    • Born: April 4, 1979 (Perth, Western Australia, Australia)
    • Died: January 22, 2008 (New York City, New York, U.S.)
    • Portrayal: The anarchist terrorist in Christopher Nolan’s *The Dark Knight*. His interpretation was a gritty, scarred, and truly psychopathic agent of chaos.
    • Key Fact: He won a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, a rare and monumental achievement for a comic book film performance.
  • Jared Leto (2016, 2021)
    • Born: December 26, 1971 (Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.)
    • Net Worth: Estimated at $90 million.
    • Portrayal: A modern, tattooed, "gangster" version of the villain in David Ayer’s *Suicide Squad* (2016) and Zack Snyder's *Justice League* (2021).
    • Key Fact: His method acting approach and controversial on-set antics generated significant media attention, though his screen time was ultimately limited in the theatrical cut of *Suicide Squad*.
  • Cameron Monaghan (2015–2019)
    • Born: August 16, 1993 (Santa Monica, California, U.S.)
    • Portrayal: Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska in the TV series *Gotham*. While the show never officially called the character "The Joker," Monaghan played the proto-Joker figures, embodying the character's madness across multiple forms.
    • Key Fact: He played two separate but genetically linked characters, Jerome (the anarchist) and Jeremiah (the mastermind), allowing him to explore different facets of the Joker's personality.
  • Joaquin Phoenix (2019, 2024)
    • Born: October 28, 1974 (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
    • Net Worth: Estimated at $80–$85 million.
    • Portrayal: Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill, failed stand-up comedian who descends into madness in Todd Phillips' *Joker*. This version is a grounded, character-study approach to the origin story.
    • Key Fact: Phoenix won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in *Joker*, making him the second actor to win an Oscar for playing the role.

The Current King of Chaos: Joaquin Phoenix and *Joker: Folie à Deux* (2024)

The most relevant and up-to-date answer to "who plays The Joker" is undoubtedly Joaquin Phoenix. His portrayal of Arthur Fleck in the 2019 film *Joker* was a cultural phenomenon, redefining the character as a tragic figure whose madness is a reaction to societal neglect.

The momentum continues with the sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, which is set for release on October 4, 2024. The title, translating to "folly of two," hints at a shared madness, which will be explored through the introduction of a new, major character: Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn (Dr. Harleen Quinzel).

This sequel is confirmed to be a musical, a radical departure from the first film and a significant creative risk by director Todd Phillips. The film will explore the deepening relationship between Arthur Fleck and Harley Quinn, primarily set within the confines of Arkham Asylum and potentially beyond. The inclusion of musical elements is a bold choice, promising a unique, theatrical, and potentially surreal experience that will once again challenge audience expectations of the Joker character.

The Future of Madness: Barry Keoghan in The Batman Universe

While Phoenix occupies the standalone, non-DCEU space, a different, equally terrifying version of The Joker is waiting in the wings of director Matt Reeves' universe, which began with *The Batman* (2022).

This iteration is played by Irish actor Barry Keoghan. Keoghan’s brief, unsettling appearance as the "Unseen Arkham Prisoner" at the end of *The Batman* and in a chilling deleted scene confirmed him as a deeply scarred, already established version of the villain.

Keoghan’s portrayal is distinct: his face and hands are covered in severe, grotesque scarring, suggesting a much earlier, more brutal origin story than Fleck's. Director Matt Reeves has expressed a desire to explore this character further, potentially within the walls of Arkham State Hospital, though no official sequel announcement has been made regarding the Joker’s full-fledged return. The anticipation for Keoghan's take—a truly monstrous, yet intelligent, version—is extremely high among fans and critics, offering a stark contrast to Phoenix's psychologically grounded performance.

The Immortal Legacy of Heath Ledger and Jack Nicholson

No discussion of The Joker is complete without acknowledging the two performances that set the modern standard for cinematic villainy: Heath Ledger and Jack Nicholson. Their contrasting styles highlight the character’s versatility and topical authority.

Heath Ledger's Anarchist Icon in The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger’s Joker in Christopher Nolan's *The Dark Knight* (2008) is often cited as the definitive modern portrayal. Ledger famously immersed himself in the role, keeping a diary to capture the character's fractured psyche. He described his Joker as a "psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy."

Ledger’s method acting resulted in a performance that was less about gags and more about philosophical chaos. The character’s scarred, sloppy makeup and unsettling mannerisms—such as the lip-licking tic—were deliberate choices that cemented this Joker as a force of nature, driven by the pure desire to prove that "everyone is only as good as the world allows them to be." The posthumous Oscar win confirmed the performance as one of the greatest in film history.

Jack Nicholson's Vaudevillian Gangster in Batman (1989)

Jack Nicholson brought his signature manic energy to the role in Tim Burton’s 1989 *Batman*. His Joker was a theatrical villain, a man who loved the showmanship of crime. Nicholson's version, unlike Ledger's, had a clear origin as a mob lieutenant named Jack Napier. His transformation was a descent into vanity and madness, obsessed with art, pop culture, and his own bizarre sense of humor.

Nicholson's performance was a bridge between the campy, colorful Cesar Romero and the darker, more psychological Jokers to come. His massive financial success from the film is a testament to his star power and the character's enduring appeal, proving that The Joker is one of the most profitable roles in Hollywood history.

The Voice Behind the Laugh: Mark Hamill's Enduring Portrayal

While the live-action actors receive the most mainstream attention, the most consistent and beloved portrayal of The Joker belongs to voice actor Mark Hamill. Best known for playing Luke Skywalker in the *Star Wars* saga, Hamill has voiced the character since *Batman: The Animated Series* in 1992.

Hamill’s Joker is characterized by a high-pitched, gleeful, and maniacal laugh, which he has perfected over decades. He has voiced the Clown Prince across numerous animated shows, video games (most notably the *Batman: Arkham* series), and animated films. For a generation of fans, Hamill’s voice is the true sound of The Joker, demonstrating that the character’s impact transcends the boundaries of live-action cinema and remains a powerful entity in the DC Comics mythos.

The Clown Prince of Chaos: Every Actor Who Played The Joker and What They’re Doing Now (2025 Update)
who plays the joker
who plays the joker

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