There are many amazing actresses who have taken on the role of Harley Quinn over the years, but who is the best of the best?
When one thinks of iconic characters such as Batman or the Joker, one often thinks of their origin stories as having begun in the pages of DC Comics for a good reason. This is because most of DC’s most popular heroes and villains are ones who got their start by debuting in various comic books before appearing in other forms of media.
Then there are characters such as Harley Quinn.
Unlike most of the popular heroes from the Batman franchise who first appeared in comics before moving into other mediums, Harley Quinn was introduced in Batman: The Animated Series as an original character created specifically for the show. She was supposed to simply appear in just one episode as a change of pace from all the other henchmen the creative team had for The Joker. However, one episode turned into two, two turned into three and soon Harley had become a staple of the show — but that was just the start!
The popularity of the character only continued to grow following Batman: The Animated Series with Harley eventually making the jump to comics and becoming a staple in the DC universe.
Ever since making her debut in Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn has become a staple in DC both in the pages of its comics as well as through the company’s many movies, TV shows, games, and more.
Note: While there were multiple other actors to voice Harley Quinn on TV and in video games, this list will take a look at the eight most famous (and best) to do so on the big screen or small screen.
8. Mia Sara
When it comes to iconic performances, one would be remiss not to include Mia Sara who played the character in the short-lived Birds of Prey series. While the performance did not have the same impact as some of the others on this list, Sara’s performance still deserves to be celebrated among the best to have played the character.
The biggest challenge that comes in ranking Sara’s performance is that we didn’t exactly get to see much of her iteration of Harley within Birds of Prey. Instead, the show focused more on the team of heroes rather than Harley which forced Sara to take more of a backseat role in the show rather than getting a place in the spotlight.
That being said, Sara still managed to capture the essence of Harley Quinn. Her interpretation of the character was less cartoonish than others, which gave the film a more grounded feel. Sara’s Harley was still chaotic and unpredictable, but she also had a vulnerability that made her more relatable.
While Sara’s performance as Harley Quinn may not be as memorable as some of the other actresses who have played the character, no list celebrating the best to play Harley Quinn would truly be complete without Sara. In her limited role, she managed to bring her own spin to the character and delivered a standout performance with the materials she received.
7. Melissa Rauch
Melissa Rauch might be best known for he role in The Big Bang Theory, but she also took on one of pop culture’s biggest characters when she landed her voice to Harley Quinn in 2017’s Batman and Harley Quinn.
The animated feature film sees Batman and Nightwing teaming up with a very unlikely ally in the form of Harley Quinn to bring down Poison Ivy and the Floronic Man. It’s a fun team-up, but it’s not the strongest we’ve seen from the world of DC with dialogue that lacks which is why some might not include Rauch on their list but let’s not fault her for the film’s shortcomings.
Rauch struck the perfect tone in bringing the character to life in the movie, fully immersing herself in the role through her voice work. While the writing for the movie didn’t give her much to work with with the jokes falling a bit flat in points, Rauch managed to make the most of her scenes and delivered a truly memorable turn as the character.
With stronger materials, there is no doubt Rauch could rise in the ranks as she has the makings to be an amazing Harley if given the chance to revisit the role in a future project.
6. Hynden Walch
Hynden Walch is one of the most well-known voice actors in the industry, having voiced several iconic characters including a number of amazing DC characters such as Starfire and Blackfire. Of her most notable roles is without a doubt her role as Harley Quinn, a character Walch has voiced many times over the years in various movies and films.
When fans think of her performance as Harley, the word that often comes to mind is iconic. One of the things that helped to set her performance apart from others on this list was her unique ability to convey such a wide range of emotions through her voice. Walch perfectly captured the character’s signature zaniness bringing an unmatched energy to the role.
She just had this way of bringing out the best in the character and giving fans the Harley they had come to know and love.
Walch’s voice work as Harley has become a major chapter in the character’s story. She might not be the first actress whose name comes to mind when thinking of the best to play the character, but her performance is one that deserves to be celebrated and is most certainly among the best of the best.
5. Jenny Slate
Okay, some might be surprised to see Jenny Slate’s performance as Harley Quinn in The LEGO Batman Movie so high on the list, but if you watched the movie you know that she was perfect and such a scene-stealer.
Slate’s delivery of the character’s signature lines was incredible, capturing the character’s unpredictable nature and making her a standout in the crowded film. She brought this unique energy to the character that helped her to stand out among the film’s incredible ensemble.
Slate’s chemistry with Zach Galifianakis, who voiced The Joker, in particular, was a true highlight as their back-and-forth dialogue added an extra layer of humor to the film.
Slate took on the character in a way that was both faithful to the character’s legacy, yet also saw her putting her own unique spin on the role. It’s a shame that we only got to see her take on the character in the one standalone project but we’re optimistic that she might someday return to the role.
When that day times, we could see her ranking rising on this list. However, it didn’t feel quite right ranking her too high on this list given her performance was a bit more limited and hasn’t left quite the same impact as the Top 4 actresses on this list.
4. Kaley Cuoco
When Kaley Cuoco was first cast in the role of Harley Quinn in DC Universe’s animated series, there was some skepticism among fans. However, Cuoco quickly put those concerns to bed by delivering what has become one of the greatest chapters in the character’s storied history.
Cuoco’s interpretation of Harley Quinn is a fresh take on the character. This Harley is one that has a sense of complexity and vulnerability that has rarely been seen in previous depictions of the character. Her performance captures both the playful and unpredictable nature of Harley, but also has shown viewers a deeper side of the character in exploring her emotional struggles.
One of the most impressive aspects of Cuoco’s performance is her ability to balance the character’s wild antics with her more serious moments. She brings depth to Harley’s internal struggles and makes her a sympathetic character that audiences can root for.
Cuoco has taken the character in a direction few ever saw coming, with the show fully embracing Harley’s romance with Poison Ivy and making the character more layered. Yes, this Harley still has a penchant for the dramatic, but she’s also a layered character with so much unexpected depth. And for that, we tip our hat to Cuoco and will be forever grateful for the Harley she’s gifted the world with.
3. Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie’s performance as Harley Quinn in the DC Extended Universe has become a definitive portrayal of the character. Since her first appearance in Suicide Squad, Robbie has made Harley Quinn her own, injecting a unique and dynamic energy into the character that has resonated with audiences and critics alike.
Robbie’s Harley Quinn is a charismatic, unpredictable, and multifaceted character, who has this perfect blend of humor, vulnerability, and insanity that makes her both entertaining and complex. Robbie’s performance captures the character’s essence in every sense of the word.
Beyond her impressive portrayal, Robbie’s Harley Quinn has become a standout in the DCEU. With each appearance, Robbie has continued to evolve and deepen the character, showcasing new aspects of her personality and adding layers of depth to her backstory. DC has missed the mark with many of its casting choices, but in Robbie, they truly found the perfect Harley Quinn.
Robbie’s performance has not only made the character her own but has also set a high bar for future portrayals of Harley Quinn. We don’t quite know what the future will hold for Robbie in the new DCU, but if her time as Harley is over she leaves behind an amazing legacy following what has been a masterful run as one of DC’s most iconic characters.
2. Tara Strong
When it comes to prolific voice actors, Tara Strong has more than secured her place on the voice actors’ Mount Rushmore. Across her decades in the industry, Strong has brought life to some of the most beloved animated characters in television and movie history. When looking at her lengthy resume, there is no doubt that her work as Harley Quinn is one of her career-defining roles.
Over the years, Strong has voiced the character in numerous movies, TV shows, and video games. Her performance has been praised by both fans and critics alike as Strong has found a way of blending together this perfect mix of humor, vulnerability, and unpredictability. Strong’s delivery of Harley’s signature lines and her ability to switch between her various moods and emotions at the drop of a hat make her performances truly remarkable.
While we’ve focused mostly on work from film and television, to discuss Tara Strong’s contributions to the role without mentioning the work she’s done in the video game medium would be such a disservice. Her portrayal of Harley Quinn in DC’s various video games is simply iconic and is the best of the best.
Strong’s unique blend of high-pitched cackles, snarky one-liners, and childlike innocence perfectly captures the character’s unpredictable and manic personality. From the Batman: Arkham series to the Injustice games, Strong’s voice acting has consistently elevated the quality of the games she appears in giving us one of the greatest performances we’ve ever seen from an actress in the role of Harley.
In fact, she nearly took the top spot on this list but there was one actress who we simply couldn’t justicy ranking anywhere other than No. 1.
1. Arleen Sorkin
Arleen Sorkin’s impact on DC Comics and the character of Harley Quinn cannot be overstated.
Sorkin is the first to have ever brought Harley Quinn to life, originating the role in the animated series Batman: The Animated Series back in 1992. Her performance as the zany and unpredictable Harley Quinn has become an essential part of the character’s identity, and without her portrayal, the character might never have become the cultural phenomenon she is today.
Originally, Harley was created as a one-off character for the animated series, but the character’s popularity quickly skyrocketed, leading to her inclusion in DC’s comic book universe and eventually appearing in live-action films. If not for Sorkin’s performance which introduced audiences to a character full of humor, intelligence, and charm, Harley Quinn may never have become the fan-favorite character she is today or have become such a significant part of Batman’s legacy.
Not only do we owe Harley’s signature delivery to Sorkin, but she was also responsible for the inspiration of the character’s now signature look as it was a costume Sorkin wore during her time on Days of Our Lives that inspired the character’s jester outfit.
While many have taken on the role of Harley following in Sorkin’s footsteps, it was Sorkin who paved the way for the character’s success and helped cement her place in popular culture. So to rank her anywhere but at the top of the list simply wouldn’t feel right. After all, there truly is no Harley Quinn without Arleen Sorkin.