The Many Faces of Gotham’s Jester: Celebrating the Actresses Who Brought Harley Quinn to Life, Featuring Lady Gaga

The captivating world of Gotham City is set to expand once more with the highly anticipated sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux. Slated for a 2024 release, this follow-up to the immensely successful 2019 film will see Oscar-winning Joaquin Phoenix reprise his role as the enigmatic Joker. Joining him in this cinematic venture, and stepping into the iconic shoes of his co-conspirator Harley Quinn, will be none other than global superstar Lady Gaga. This intriguing sequel, described as a musical, marks Lady Gaga’s first musical film since her critically acclaimed performance in 2018’s A Star Is Born, a role that earned her an Academy Award for Best Original Song with “Shallow” at the 2019 ceremony. Her casting has ignited considerable excitement, prompting fans to reflect on the diverse range of talent that has previously embodied the chaotic charm of Harley Quinn.

Harley Quinn, known to many as the mischievous Crime Queen of Gotham City, has been brought to life by a remarkable roster of actresses over the years. Most recently, Margot Robbie delivered memorable live-action portrayals in the 2020 film Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of Harley Quinn) and 2021’s The Suicide Squad. While Robbie’s energetic and nuanced performance garnered widespread acclaim, she is one of more than a dozen talented women who have lent their voices or appearances to this multifaceted character across various animated series, video games, and films. As Lady Gaga prepares to add her unique interpretation to Harley’s rich history, let’s explore some of the extraordinary women who have helped shape the enduring legacy of Dr. Harleen Quinzel.

Lady Gaga: The Latest Incarnation of Harley Quinn

Born on March 28, 1986, Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress with Italian and French-Canadian heritage. She exploded onto the global music scene in 2008 with her groundbreaking debut album, The Fame, which spawned electrifying hits like “Just Dance” and “Poker Face.” Beyond her chart-topping music, Lady Gaga quickly became a cultural icon renowned for her avant-garde fashion choices and theatrical performances. Memorable moments include her controversial dress made of raw meat at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and her dramatic entrance in an oversized egg-like vessel at the 2011 Grammy Awards. Recalling the latter to British Vogue in November 2021, she explained, “Everyone calls this the egg but it’s actually a vessel that was designed by Hussein Chalayan.” She further elaborated on her meticulous attention to detail for the performance, demanding a specific “nude latex” look for her team to source, even if it meant acquiring the material from an unconventional supplier like a bus company. This dedication to artistic vision and transformative presentation makes her an intriguing choice for the unpredictable Harley Quinn.

Lady Gaga’s successful music career includes seven studio albums, notably two acclaimed jazz collaborations with the legendary Tony Bennett. Parallel to her musical achievements, she has established herself as an award-winning actress. Her standout acting credits include her Oscar-nominated performance in 2018’s A Star Is Born, her Golden Globe-winning role in American Horror Story: Hotel, and her captivating turn as Patrizia Reggiani opposite Adam Driver in 2021’s House of Gucci. This New York City native’s versatility has earned her one Oscar and four Emmy nominations, demonstrating her profound capabilities across different artistic mediums. Her forthcoming role as Harley Quinn in a musical format is particularly exciting, as it perfectly marries her strengths as both a performer and an actress, promising a unique and dynamic interpretation of the character.

Beyond her formidable talents as a singer, dancer, and actress, Lady Gaga is celebrated for her profound humanitarian efforts and unwavering advocacy for causes close to her heart. She is a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, has been instrumental in raising significant funds for COVID-19 relief, and is a passionate proponent of mental health advocacy. In a heartfelt essay penned for her Born This Way Foundation in 2016, an organization dedicated to supporting the wellness of young people, she articulated, “I believe that the most inexpensive and perhaps the best medicine in the world is words. Kind words… positive words… words that help people who feel ashamed of an invisible illness to overcome their shame and feel free.” Her deep empathy and commitment to breaking down stigmas suggest a potential for a deeply human, albeit chaotic, portrayal of Harley Quinn, adding layers to a character often defined by her madness.

Gillian Jacobs: Lending Her Voice to Injustice

Gillian Jacobs contributed her vocal talents to the role of Harley Quinn in 2021’s animated film Injustice, an adaptation of the acclaimed video game series. Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she was born on October 19, 1982, Jacobs pursued rigorous training at New York City’s prestigious Juilliard School, building a solid foundation in theater. Her breakthrough role came in 2009 as Britta Perry in the beloved television series Community, a character she infused with her unique blend of cynicism and quirky humor across six seasons. Beyond television, her film credits include the 2008 dramedy Choke, the suspenseful 2009 thriller The Box, and the 2014 comedy Walk of Shame. Her background in both comedic and dramatic roles, coupled with her experience in voice work, equipped her perfectly to capture Harley’s distinctive blend of absurdity and unexpected depth, bringing a nuanced performance to the Injustice narrative.

Margot Robbie: The Live-Action Icon

Margot Robbie, the acclaimed Australian actress, has become synonymous with Harley Quinn for a generation of fans, delivering exhilarating live-action performances in 2016’s Suicide Squad, 2020’s critically lauded Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of Harley Quinn), and James Gunn’s 2021 hit The Suicide Squad. Born on July 2, 1990, in Queensland, Australia, her acting journey began with a credit in the television series City Homicide in 2008. After gaining recognition on the popular Australian soap opera Neighbours until 2011, she made the pivotal move to America. Her initial foray into Hollywood saw her quickly secure a lead role in the period drama Pan Am, though the series was unfortunately canceled after a single season. Robbie’s fortunes dramatically shifted when she was cast as Naomi Lapaglia in Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street, starring opposite screen legend Leonardo DiCaprio. This role is widely regarded as her breakout, propelling her career to meteoric heights. On a personal note, Margot has been happily married to British film producer Tom Ackerley since 2016, and she continues to impress audiences in diverse roles, including her upcoming highly anticipated turn in the Barbie movie.

Despite her seemingly effortless ascent to stardom, Margot Robbie has often spoken about the persistent challenges within the industry. In a 2016 interview with The New York Times, she candidly admitted, “It’s always a hustle. I thought it would be a mountain, where you get to the top, and then it’s like: ‘Wheeee! It’s so easy after this.'” She continued, reflecting on the relentless nature of her profession, “Any time I get near the top, I’m like, ‘There’s another mountain!’ The hustle continues.” Her dedication and resilience have undoubtedly contributed to her phenomenal success and her ability to embody a complex character like Harley Quinn with such depth and conviction, making the character her own while respecting its origins.

Kaley Cuoco: The Animated Voice of Chaos

The versatile The Flight Attendant star Kaley Cuoco stepped into the role of Harley Quinn in the irreverent and critically acclaimed 2019 animated series Harley Quinn, earning praise for her comedic timing and energetic delivery. Born in Camarillo, California, on November 30, 1985, Cuoco began her acting career at just 10 years old. She achieved early recognition for her portrayal of Bridget Hennessey on the Emmy Award-winning comedy series 8 Simple Rules, which aired from 2002 to 2005. As an adult actress, she became a household name for her iconic role as Penny in the beloved NBC sitcom The Big Bang Theory, a role she perfected over its twelve-season run from 2007 to 2019. Her natural comedic talent and ability to convey a wide range of emotions through her voice made her an ideal choice for the animated Harley, allowing the character to explore new depths of humor and vulnerability.

While widely celebrated as an A-list actress, many may not realize that Kaley Cuoco is also an accomplished and highly competitive tennis player. Reflecting on her various passions in a 2014 interview with Cosmopolitan, she shared, “Acting was just another part of my life, as it still is today. It’s one of the 10 things I love doing. It’s never just been my life. As cheesy as it sounds, all my eggs were never in just one basket. I had a thousand baskets going on.” This philosophy underscores her multifaceted nature and her ability to excel in diverse fields, mirroring the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the character she voices.

While Kaley’s professional life has consistently thrived, her romantic life has seen its share of transitions, having experienced two divorces since 2016. She was married to tennis professional Ryan Sweeting for two and a half years before tying the knot with equestrian Karl Cook in 2018, a marriage that lasted three years. At the time of this writing, she appears to be in a very happy relationship withOzarkstarTom Pelphrey. These personal experiences, much like any artist’s journey, can often infuse depth and relatability into their performances, even for animated characters.

Melissa Rauch: The Intellect Behind the Mayhem

Melissa Rauch, known for her memorable portrayal of Dr. Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz on The Big Bang Theory alongside Kaley Cuoco, lent her distinctive voice to Harley Quinn for the 2017 animated feature Batman and Harley Quinn. Rauch enthusiastically embraced the role, telling Empire in a 2017 interview, “I love that Harley is a badass and, beyond that, that she uses her humor as another weapon in her arsenal. She knows just how to diffuse a situation with her humor, and how to incite a situation with her sarcasm. It’s a dream role.” Her insights highlight the intelligent and manipulative aspects of Harley, often masked by her chaotic persona.

Hailing from Marlboro Township, New Jersey, Melissa Rauch was born on June 23, 1980. Her career began in the world of stand-up comedy, where her acclaimed one-woman show, The Miss Education of Jenna Bush, brought her significant recognition. Her first IMDb credit dates back to 2006 for a small part in the film Delirious, and her acting career steadily gained momentum from there. Her most widely recognized role, of course, came on CBS’s hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory, where she became a fan favorite. Beyond this, she has also made appearances in popular series like True Blood and The Office, showcasing her versatile range across different genres.

Melissa has been married to her college sweetheart, Winston Beigel, since 2007, and together they have two children. A fascinating detail about their relationship is their frequent creative collaboration; Winston and Melissa co-wrote her successful one-woman show. Discussing their writing process in a 2016 interview with Interview Magazine, she noted, “Our process is that we outline everything to death before we take a stab at writing the dialogue… I’ll take a stab at the scene, he’ll take a stab at the scene, and we’ll combine the best of. Or it will be like, ‘What you wrote is better.’ It’s pretty balanced.” This collaborative spirit and her comedic background undoubtedly informed her nuanced and humorous portrayal of Harley Quinn, bringing out the character’s intellectual cunning alongside her madcap antics.

Mia Sara: The First Live-Action Harley

Mia Sara, born on June 19, 1967, in Brooklyn Heights, New York City, holds a significant place in Harley Quinn’s history as the first actress to portray the character in live-action. She took on the groundbreaking role in the short-lived 2002 television series Birds of Prey. Sara is perhaps best remembered for her iconic performance as Sloane Peterson in the beloved 1986 teen comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Her other notable film credits include the 1985 fantasy epic Legend and the 1994 sci-fi action film Timecop. Sara largely stepped away from acting after 2013, a decision influenced by her focus on motherhood. She married actor Jason Connery in 1996, and they welcomed their son, Dashiell Quinn Connery, in 1997. She later became a mother again in 2005 with the birth of her daughter, Amelia Jane, with Brian Henson, whom she married in 2010. Her pioneering live-action portrayal of Harley Quinn, though brief, set a precedent for future interpretations and highlighted the character’s potential beyond animation.

Reflecting on her reasons for stepping back from the demands of acting, Mia Sara candidly shared her perspective in a 2010 interview with Total Film. “Now I’m a mother with a really noisy, difficult house to maintain!” she quipped. She recounted a specific experience that solidified her decision: “I did a film last January where I played an evil witch, which was fun. But you know, when it’s two o’clock in the morning and you’re wearing a corset and tights in a freezing-cold farmhouse in Connecticut, you do kind of think, ‘Well, this is why I’m retired! I can’t really do this anymore!’” Her humorous take on the rigors of filming underscores the dedication required by actresses to bring characters to life, a dedication that often competes with personal life choices, yet her mark on Harley Quinn’s live-action history remains indelible.

The Original Voices and Enduring Legacy of Harley Quinn

Beyond the live-action portrayals and the acclaimed performance by Kaley Cuoco, numerous other talented actresses have given voice to the Joker’s unforgettable partner in crime over the decades, shaping her animated identity. The very genesis of Harley Quinn is a fascinating tale rooted in real-life inspiration. Character creator Paul Dini conceived of Harley after watching his college friend, actress Arleen Sorkin, perform as a jester on an old VHS tape from her time on the soap opera Days of Our Lives. One day in 1991, while watching the tape, Dini had a flash of inspiration. “I thought, ‘Maybe there should be a girl [alongside the Joker],'” Dini recounted to Vulture in 2020. He pondered the nature of this new companion: “And I thought, ‘Should the girl be like a tough street thug? Or like a hench-person or something? And then suddenly the idea of someone funny kind of struck me.'” It was Arleen Sorkin’s unique comedic timing and jester-like delivery that ultimately defined the character’s signature blend of humor and madness. Harley Quinn made her debut in 1992’s groundbreaking Batman: The Animated Series, with Sorkin herself providing the iconic original voice. From that moment, Harley has been a foundational and beloved staple of the DC universe, evolving through countless stories and interpretations, each actress adding new dimensions to her chaotic yet endearing personality. The continuous stream of talented individuals taking on the role, whether through voice or live-action, is a testament to Harley Quinn’s enduring appeal and complex character, promising many more thrilling chapters in her ongoing narrative.