Joker Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Joker
Joaquin Phoenix in 'Joker' (Courtesy Warner Bros.)
Joker
The Joker is the archnemesis of the superhero Batman within the DC Comics universe. The Joker, also known as the Clown Prince of Crime, doesn't have superpowers but uses his chemical engineering knowledge to poisonous concoctions and weapons. DC Comics describes the fictional character as "a homicidal artist and an agent of chaos." The most common origin story of the Joker involves him falling into chemical waste, which in turn bleaches his skin and turns his hair green. Though, the 2019 film Joker (starring Joaquin Phoenix) depicts the supervillain as a failed clown and comedian who was driven to insanity. The film received 11 Academy Award nominations. The Joker can be found in Batman comic books, TV shows, and movies.
- Universe: DC Comics
- City of origin: Gotham City
- Notable actors: Heath Ledger, Jack Nicholson, Joaquin Phoenix
- Creators: Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson
Visit the Joker's page on the DC Comics website.
Learn about the DC Comics universe, see what happened behind the scenes on the movie Joker, and stay up to date on the prominent actors who portrayed the Joker in various movies.
News
5 years ago
‘Joker’ Fans Probably Never Even Noticed a Reference to the Old ‘Batman’ TV Series
News
4 years ago
Is Joker Alive in ‘The Suicide Squad’? He Didn’t Appear in ‘Birds of Prey’
News
5 years ago
‘Harley Quinn’ Changed Harley and Joker’s Relationship Like Never Before and Fans Love It
News
3 years ago
Jared Leto Once Revealed the Dark Truth Behind His Joker: ‘It’s All a Big Game’
News
4 years ago
Christopher Nolan Initially Had Doubts About Heath Ledger’s Joker Voice

Batman

Movies

5 Best Batman Movies

Batman has inspired more good movies than any other superhero. Directors like Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan have brought unique visions to the series.

by Matthew Trzcinski

Published on April 6, 2025

2 min read

Val Kilmer and Nicole Kidman in a publicity still for 'Batman Forever'

Movies

Val Kilmer’s ‘Batman Forever’ Captured the ’90s Better Than Any Superhero Movie

In 'Batman Forever', Val Kilmer's portrayal of the Caped Crusader, paired with the film's flashy style mirrors the excesses and boldness of 1990s Hollywood. That’s why it’s great.

by Matthew Trzcinski

Val Kilmer in a suit in 'Batman Forever'

Movies

‘Batman’ Actors Val Kilmer and Christian Bale Both Went on to Play the Same Biblical Figure

Val Kilmer and Christian Bale, have both played Batman and Moses. However, the transition from Batman to Moses is not as strange as it might seem.

by Matthew Trzcinski

Zachary Levi on the Future of Shazam: ‘The Character Needs to Keep Going’

With everything in limbo in the rebooted DC Extended Universe, 'Shazam! Fury of the Gods' star Zachary Levi talks about his hopes for his superhero character.

by Produced by Digital Editors

Published on March 17, 2023

3 min read

Movies

‘Shazam 2’ Star Helen Mirren Jokes Her Action Figure Will Be the 1 in the Sales Bin

Acclaimed actor Helen Mirren has been making some out-of-character moves lately -- including her role in 'Shazam! Fury of the Gods.' She explains her choice.

by Mishal Ali Zafar

Movies

Before Kurt Russell Joined the MCU, He Nearly Starred in a Hated DC Film

As an '80s action star, Kurt Russell was a natural fit for the superhero genre. Which DC movie was he up for?

by Christina Nunn

Jared Leto Made $7 Million Salary for 7 Minutes of ‘Suicide Squad’

Jared Leto took home $1 million for every minute he's on screen as the Joker in 'Suicide Squad.' Here's a look at his career and net worth.

by Lulu Currey

Published on October 16, 2022

3 min read

News

The 2022 Isaac Awards: Best Scene-Stealer Nominees

The 2022 Isaac Awards are Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s unique spin on the Academy Awards. Here are the nominees for the Best Scene-Stealer.

by Robert Yaniz Jr.

Gaming & Comics

‘Suicide Squad’: Will Smith Is All for a New Cut of the 2016 Movie — ‘There’s a Whole Lot That Stayed on the Floor’

'Suicide Squad' star Will Smith recently commented on the #ReleaseTheAyerCut movement, admitting he's all for releasing a new version of the DCEU movie.

by Amanda Mullen

DC Comics’ Biggest Box Office Hits Have Wildly Changed Things

While 'The Joker' and 'The Batman' are standout hits, the DCEU has produced a few notable flops. What does that mean for DC Comics movies going forward?

by Robert Yaniz Jr.

Notable People

‘Joker 2’ Fans Furious Over News Lady Gaga Could Land Key Role in Musical Sequel ‘Folie à Deux’

Fans reacted unhappily to the news that Lady Gaga may appear in the sequel to 2019's Joker film titled 'Joker: Folie à deux.'

by Lucille Barilla

Movies

Jared Leto Once Revealed the Dark Truth Behind His Joker: ‘It’s All a Big Game’

Jared Leto’s version of the Joker in ‘Suicide Squad’ divided fans. But the actor once detailed what he believes makes the DC super-villain tick.

by Robert Yaniz Jr.

Movies

Jared Leto’s Net Worth and How Much He Made to Play the Joker

Jared Leto is an Oscar-winning actor who always keeps fans talking. But what is his net worth, and how much did he earn for his divisive take on the Joker?

by Robert Yaniz Jr.

Gaming & Comics

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Star Willem Dafoe Reveals the 1 Villain He’d Love to Play After Green Goblin

Willem Dafoe revealed the villain he 'fantasized' about playing after his appearance as Green Goblin in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home.'

by Elise Nelson

Notable People

Lindsay Lohan Once Claimed Jared Leto’s Joker Ripped off Brandon Lee and ‘The Crow’

Jared Leto has had an impressive career both as an actor and a singer. But it was a career that Lindsay Lohan believed wasn't entirely his. The 'Freaky Friday' star believed that Leto's whole career was a rip-off of Brandon Lee and 'The Crow.'

by Antonio Stallings

Notable People

Christopher Nolan Initially Had Doubts About Heath Ledger’s Joker Voice

Heath Ledger was a pleasant surprise to many thanks to his starring role as the Joker in 'The Dark Knight.' The actor put in an unforgettable performance as Batman's arch-nemesis, winning a posthumous Oscar as a result after his death. However, there were some very real doubts Ledger and director Christopher Nolan had about Ledger's portrayal in the beginning, as they weren't sure his Joker voice was any good.

by Antonio Stallings

Notable People

Heath Ledger Really Wanted Christian Bale to Beat Him Up in This Iconic Scene from ‘The Dark Knight’

Heath Ledger gave what many feel like is an undeniable and iconic take on the Joker. He also wanted to contribute in any way that he could to make sure fans were getting their money's worth seeing his performance. One such way he tried to add authenticity to his role was by asking his co-star Christian Bale to punch him for real as Batman.

by Antonio Stallings

Movies

Is Harley Quinn Stronger Than Joker?

Harley Quinn and the Joker have a very famous relationship, but that doesn't make it ok. Who's stronger?

by Alani Vargas

Movies

Is Joker Alive in ‘The Suicide Squad’? He Didn’t Appear in ‘Birds of Prey’

Jared Leto's Joker has an uncertain future in the DCEU. Is he dead in 'The Suicide Squad'?

by Alani Vargas

Movies

‘Batman’: Tim Burton’s Original Joker Once Confessed It Was His ‘Worst Audition’

Director Tim Burton had a very specific choice for the Joker in 1989's 'Batman.' And the actor in question is still haunted by his audition.

by Robert Yaniz Jr.

Notable People

Joaquin Phoenix and Robert De Niro Barely Spoke to Each Other While Making ‘Joker’

'Joker' co-stars Joaquin Phoenix and Robert De Niro clashed while filming the blockbuster film. Here's why they barely spoke to each other at all.

by Robert Yaniz Jr.

Movies

‘Joker’ Fans Probably Never Even Noticed a Reference to the Old ‘Batman’ TV Series

'Joker' takes a very different take on the Batman mythos. Despite its dark tone, the movie still fits in a subtle nod to the 1960s Adam West TV show.

by Robert Yaniz Jr.

Movies

‘Joker’ Producer Wants This Iconic Batman Villain to Get Their Own Spinoff Movie Next

One of the producers behind the Oscar-winning 'Joker' knows exactly which Batman villain should be next in line to receive their own spinoff movie.

by Robert Yaniz Jr.

Movies

‘The Batman’: Marvel’s Tom Hiddleston Becomes the Joker in New Fan-Made Artwork, and Fans Are Completely Into It

A new piece of fan art imagines Tom Hiddleston going from Loki to Joker in the DCEU. And fans are loving the potential casting for 'The Batman.'

by Robert Yaniz Jr.

Movies / Notable People

‘Joker’ Actor Supports Arthur Fleck/Thomas Wayne Theory — Here’s His Evidence

'Joker' left the relationship between Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) and Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen) ambigious, but Cullen supports this theory.

by Fred Topel

‘Harley Quinn’ Changed Harley and Joker’s Relationship Like Never Before and Fans Love It

Harley Quinn and the Joker aren't the best example of a healthy relationship. However, the 'Harley Quinn' show changed their dynamic like never before.

by Alani Vargas

Movies

‘The Batman’: Fans Know Exactly Who Should Play the Joker Opposite Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight

Reports claim sequels to next year's 'The Batman' will introduce the Joker. And fans have a clear idea who should battle Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight.

by Robert Yaniz Jr.