Batman: All 12 Alfred Pennyworth actors ranked from worst to best

Batman won’t find a more loyal friend than Alfred Pennyworth, but which of the many esteemed actors to take on the role delivered the best performance?

It’s hard to imagine where Batman would be without his loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth.

A friend and confidante to The Dark Knight, Alfred is the ever-present servant to Gotham City’s renowned Wayne family who, upon the death of Thomas and Martha, became a father-figure for their son Bruce – the man who would be Bat.

Both firm and loving, refined and kind, Alfred aided Bruce in his life of crime-fighting and was always there to be called upon whenever his master needed anything – whether it be valuable advice or a non-drive-thru sandwich.

Alfred Pennyworth is celebrating his 80th anniversary in 2023, and to say he has had quite the makeover in the past few years would be a major understatement. Jack Bannon stepped into those big shoes in original series Pennyworth (also titled Pennyworth: The Origins of Batman’s Butler), – a gritty adaptation of the character’s origins that delves into his life long before he began serving The World’s Greatest Detective which ran for three compelling seasons. Andy Serkis then starred as the character in Matt Reeves’ 2022 The Batman and will likely reprise that role in the upcoming sequel The Batman — Part II.

That said, they aren’t the first actors to take on the iconic role. Over the years, we have seen a selection of esteemed actors step into that dashing waistcoat to bring Alfred to life. From Alan Napier to Michael Gough, each of them have added their own unique spin on an already iconic character. So, as we continue to celebrate the beloved Batman Day, let’s look back at which of the on-screen Alfreds did it best?

Note: While there were multiple other actors to voice Alfred Pennyworth on TV and in video games, this list will take a look at the most famous (and best) actors to play the role.