The legacy of today’s Joker and yesterday’s Dark Knight

The Batman franchise has used at least two dozen actors to portray the superhero’s arch nemesis, the Joker. It isn’t a particularly easy role to play, since the character has undergone a series of transformations over the years from an elaborate prankster to a psychopathic murderer. Due to the complexity of the iconic comic book character, the actors who have embodied it successfully have become widely respected. 

Joaquin Phoenix is the latest actor to bring the comic book character to life and his role in Joker earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. Prior to Phoenix, one of the most recognized actors to play the Joker is the late Heath Ledger. His portrayal of the sinister villain in The Dark Knight earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2008. Although many compare these two actors and  their characters’ completely different storylines, it’s hard to deny that they each brought their own unique approach to the clown’s identity. Let’s hope that future Joker interpretations can continue the award-winning legacy that Joaquin Phoenix and Heath Ledger helped strengthen. At the very least, maybe we’ll get that bone-chilling maniacal laugh that sends chills down our spines.