There are countless actors who lent their talents to bring popular comic book characters to life. To some, these were simply roles, just another day in the office so to speak. However, for others, they give the performance everything they have. They are able to bring the characters to life in a way that permanently cements them to the character’s legacy. The best example of this is Kevin Conroy and his defining work as Batman. On November 10, 2022, Kevin passed away after a short battle with cancer. Fans worldwide have been mourning the loss of Conroy ever since, and a void that will likely never be filled has been left.
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Kevin will be remembered as the definitive voice of Batman, but he was much more than that. Fans aren’t just mourning the Caped Crusader. They are mourning a man who gave his all in every aspect of his life, who faced prejudice and refused to give up. A man who ensured that fans got the best out of him — a man who, in every sense of the word, was a legend.
Kevin’s Early Work
CBS
Kevin first moved to California to pursue an acting career in the early ’80s. His first major role was in a daytime soap opera, Another World. He soon moved his talents to the stage, putting his Shakespearean acting skills to the test in performances in Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Conroy felt one of his most important roles was that of a television producer secretly dealing with AIDS in Eastern Standard.
Living as a gay man in a large city at the height of the AIDS epidemic caused Conroy to attend the funerals of many close friends, which gave him a sense of obligation to perform in Eastern Standard. Conroy eventually enjoyed several recurring roles on popular television shows throughout the ’80s and ‘90, including major series like Cheers, Dynasty, and Matlock. However, Kevin landed a role in 1992 that would change his life, and the lives of comic book fans, forever.
The Defining Batman
Warner Bros.
Throughout the ’80s, DC was moving away from the campy Batman brought to life by Adam West in the ’60s. They were making the character darker and edgier, more in line with the character’s original appearance. Comics such as The Killing Joke and The Dark Knight Returns were key in doing this, and Tim Burton’s 1989 film cemented the character as the true Dark Knight. With the success of the film, Warner Bros. greenlit an animated series that showcased the dark nature of Batman. Kevin Conroy was cast as the titular hero, and in the process helped change public opinion of the character forever.
One thing Kevin implemented is giving Bruce Wayne and Batman different voices. Bruce is chipper, slightly more high-pitched, and even cocky. Batman is deep, brooding, and downright terrifying at times. Kevin voiced Batman in countless projects since 1992’s great Batman: The Animated Series. The animated Justice League show, Batman Beyond, The Killing Joke, the Injustice games, and the Arkham series are just a few examples. Countless fans grew up with Conroy as the voice of Batman. Many fans claim that when they read a comic featuring Batman, Conroy’s voice is the one they hear in their head. As so many have pointed out over the years, Kevin Conroy isn’t simply a great voice for Batman. Kevin Conroy is Batman. While this performance is no doubt what Kevin will be best remembered for, there is another aspect of his life that many fans find inspiration in.
Kevin and the LGBTQ
Conroy did not publicly come out as gay until 2016 while promoting the animated adaptation of The Killing Joke. As with so many other artists in the LGBTQ+ community, his sexual orientation prevented him from getting some jobs. Conroy has detailed that on several occasions, he lost roles he had landed just because producers found out about his orientation. Earlier this year, Kevin wrote a story for DC’s 2022 pride anthology comic titled Finding Batman. The story details his life and struggles as a gay man, and how the character of Batman helped him overcome his struggles.
Kevin made an effort to hide his orientation from the public for most of his life. Fans take assurance in knowing that Kevin saw members of the LGBTQ+ community earning better roles in movies and television. They were no longer required to hide who they were and the prejudices against them were no longer the norm. There is still a long way to go, but the landscape in 2022 was different from in 1980, and Kevin was able to see that firsthand. Many LGBTQ+ members who want to break into stardom see Kevin as an inspiration. He took prejudice and straight-up homophobia and still refused to back down. He had dreams, and he wasn’t about to let anyone prevent them from coming true. Many feel that voicing Batman was his greatest accomplishment. In reality, he was going against the odds to become one of the most beloved voice actors of all time.
Kevin’s Legacy
Warner Bros.
Kevin’s passing rocked the world of pop culture. Co-stars such as Mark Hamill and Tara Strong have voiced their condolences. Fans have shared memories of meeting Kevin, who was famously one of the nicest celebrities when greeting fans, and are also learning new things about him, such as how he volunteered to feed firefighters and police officers after the events of September 11, 2001. Everyone who knew him has spoken highly of him. The world may seem a bit darker having lost him, but the simple fact that he existed is a bright light in itself.
The world of animation lost one of the greatest talents, but so many new talents are quickly rising through the ranks. Talents who likely would have never picked up a microphone had it not been for hearing Conroy. So many writers are putting down their own takes on Batman because they grew up with the Animated Series. It is unlikely anyone can replace Kevin, but there isn’t a need to. He left behind decades of incredible work that is sure to inspire generations to come.
As a quote in The Dark Knight states, paraphrasing a timeless archaic phrase, “The night is darkest just before the dawn.” Life may seem pretty dark now that he is gone, but the dawn will bring new talents to the forefront. Talents who grew up with Kevin as Batman. LGBTQ+ youth will realize that if a gay man can be Batman, then what is stopping them from putting themselves out there? Kevin’s legacy is unlikely to be matched. He was an icon, a legend, and in many ways a hero. He was, and will always be, Batman.
