DVD Talk Forum

DVD Talk Forum (https://forum.dvdtalk.com/)
-   TV Talk (https://forum.dvdtalk.com/tv-talk-14/)
-   -   Arleen Sorkin dies at 67 (https://forum.dvdtalk.com/tv-talk/658163-arleen-sorkin-dies-67-a.html)

devilshalo 08-26-23 07:16 PM

Arleen Sorkin dies at 67
 

Arleen Sorkin, 'Days of Our Lives' Actress & Harley Quinn Voice, Dies at 67

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 ŕ 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.

devilshalo 08-26-23 07:19 PM

Re: Arleen Sorkin dies at 67
 

milo bloom 08-26-23 07:38 PM

Re: Arleen Sorkin dies at 67
 
Her contribution to the Batman series was tremendous.

She will be missed.

Mondo Kane 08-26-23 09:02 PM

Re: Arleen Sorkin dies at 67
 
America's Funniest People was what I remember her most for, but what a legacy for being the very first as Harley. RIP

majorjoe23 08-26-23 09:33 PM

Re: Arleen Sorkin dies at 67
 
It’s cool that Paul Dini and Bruce Timm get a credit on everything with Harley Quinn in it, but Sorkin is just as much a co-creator of the character. Over the years the character has moved away from her initial look and characterization, but one element that has rent consistent is the Brooklyn accent Sorkin gave her.

devilshalo 08-26-23 10:19 PM

Re: Arleen Sorkin dies at 67
 

Giantrobo 08-27-23 01:14 AM

Re: Arleen Sorkin dies at 67
 
Woow. RiP

DJariya 08-27-23 01:47 AM

Re: Arleen Sorkin dies at 67
 
I knew Arleen Sorkin from America's Funniest People in the early 90s that she co-hosted with Dave Coulier. I recall she sued the show because she was let go and replaced with Tawny Kitaen and alleged age discrimination. She was by no means old. She was only 36 or 37 at the time. But, that was great that she found work as a voice over actor and had a very long career doing so.

stingermck 08-27-23 06:38 AM

Re: Arleen Sorkin dies at 67
 
Definitely remember her and John De Lancie together on Days of our Lives. And she was of course great as Harley.

Coral 08-27-23 08:29 AM

Re: Arleen Sorkin dies at 67
 

Originally Posted by DJariya (Post 14315122)
I knew Arleen Sorkin from America's Funniest People in the early 90s that she co-hosted with Dave Coulier. I recall she sued the show because she was let go and replaced with Tawny Kitaen and alleged age discrimination. She was by no means old. She was only 36 or 37 at the time.

There was only a 6 year age difference between the two. Her wiki page states she sued for race discrimination as there was talk of having an African-American replace her.

Decker 08-27-23 10:49 AM

Re: Arleen Sorkin dies at 67
 

Originally Posted by majorjoe23 (Post 14315060)
It’s cool that Paul Dini and Bruce Timm get a credit on everything with Harley Quinn in it, but Sorkin is just as much a co-creator of the character. Over the years the character has moved away from her initial look and characterization, but one element that has rent consistent is the Brooklyn accent Sorkin gave her.


RocShemp 08-27-23 11:18 PM

Re: Arleen Sorkin dies at 67
 

Originally Posted by majorjoe23 (Post 14315060)
It’s cool that Paul Dini and Bruce Timm get a credit on everything with Harley Quinn in it, but Sorkin is just as much a co-creator of the character. Over the years the character has moved away from her initial look and characterization, but one element that has rent consistent is the Brooklyn accent Sorkin gave her.

Yeah, that accent made Harley. I liked the character's other voice actors to varying degrees (except for Tara Strong, whom I like but never warmed to as Harley) but Arleen Sorkin simply was Harley in much the same was as Mark Hamill was the Joker and Kevin Conroy was Batman. However, when I really think about it, given that Diniband Timmhad once admitted Harley Quinn was based on Arleen Sorkin's personality back when she was in college, she truly is Harley Quinn.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:07 PM.


Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.