Kevin Conroy
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Kevin Conroy (born November 30, 1955) is an American actor of stage, screen and voice, perhaps best known for his portrayal of DC Comics superhero Batman in numerous animated series and features that comprised the DC animated universe.
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[edit] Early life
Born in Westbury, New York, Conroy moved to Westport, Connecticut when he was about 11 years old. He moved to New York in 1973 when he earned a full scholarship to attend Juilliard's famous drama division, where he studied under actor John Houseman (and shared a room with Robin Williams and future Superman actor Christopher Reeve). In 1978, after graduating from Juilliard, he toured with The Acting Company, Houseman's acting group, and, in 1979, he went on the national tour of Ira Levin's Deathtrap.
[edit] Career
In 1980, he decided to try his hand in television, and moved out to California. He landed a role in the daytime soap opera Another World. He became associated with the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California, where he performed in productions of Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. From 1980 to 1985, he acted in a variety of contemporary and classic theatre pieces, including the Broadway production of Eastern Standard and Lolita. In 1984, he played the title role in Hamlet in the New York Shakespeare Festival. He returned to television in the 1985 TV movie Covenant, and had a role on another daytime soap drama, Search For Tomorrow. He was a series regular on Ohara in 1987, and on Tour of Duty from 1987 to 1988, before starring in a series of television movies. He has also guest starred on shows such as Cheers, Dynasty, Search For Tomorrow, and Matlock.
He almost landed the part of Joe Hackett on the NBC sitcom Wings, but lost out to Tim Daly (who coincidentally later voiced Superman for the WB Network's animated series Superman: The Animated Series).
[edit] The Voice of Batman
Conroy is best known to audiences as the voice of Batman in the DC animated universe, a role he held for over 10 years. First playing the part in 1992 with Batman: The Animated Series, Conroy reprised the role in the spin-offs The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. His tenure in the role also included the feature-length animated movies Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, and Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman. Lastly, he appeared in the role as a guest star in Superman: The Animated Series, Static Shock and The Zeta Project.
In a tally of performances that include every episode, movie, and guest appearance made as the voice of Batman, Conroy has played the character more than Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, and Christian Bale combined.
In the season four premiere of The Batman, Conroy played Dick Grayson's father, John.
Additionally, Conroy voiced Batman alongside Mark Hamill as the Joker and Jason Hillhouse as Dick Grayson in a DVD feauture of a storyboard scene that was to be included in the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie as the origin of Robin. The scene didn't appear because the producers felt it was out of place with the rest of the film.
He also voiced Batman in 2001 revamp of Batman Adventure - The Ride, located at the Warner Bros. Movie World theme park in Queensland, Australia.
Like the rest of the main cast from Justice League /Justice League Unlimited, Conroy was not involved with Bruce Timm's February 26, 2008 release of Justice League: The New Frontier, although Timm has said it's likely Conroy will return as Batman in future DCAU productions.[1] Kevin Conroy has been confirmed that he will be voicing Batman in the direct to DVD animated feature Batman: Gotham Knight[2], which takes place between two live-action movies, Batman Begins and its highly anticipated sequel, The Dark Knight. Conroy was recently interviewed on his participation in the direct-to-video movie [3].
[edit] Personal life
Conroy's hobbies include traveling, running, cycling, and painting. In his spare time, he also does work with foster kids. He has two brothers and one sister, as well as a chocolate Labrador named Bear.
In recent years, he has pursued a writing career.
He took part in the California AIDSRide from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
[edit] Filmography
- Batman: Gotham Knight (2008) - Batman/Bruce Wayne
- The Batman (TV series) (2006) - John Grayson (guest star; episode: "A Matter of Family")
- Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003) - Batman/Bruce Wayne
- Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu (2003; video game) - Batman/Bruce Wayne
- Lords of EverQuest (2003; video game) - Lord Palasa
- Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne (2003; video game) - Lord Jack/Cleaner/Commando
- Justice League / Justice League Unlimited (2001-2006; TV series) - Batman/Bruce Wayne
- Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001; video game) - Fisherman
- Batman: Vengeance (2001; video game) - Batman/Bruce Wayne
- Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000) - Bruce Wayne/Batman
- Batman Beyond (1999-2001; TV series) - Bruce Wayne
- Crusaders of Magic and Light (1999; video game) - ?
- Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero - (1998) - Batman/Bruce Wayne
- The New Batman Adventures (1997-1999; TV series) - Batman/Bruce Wayne
- The Office (1995; TV series) - Steve Gillman
- Island City (1994; TV movie) - Col. Tom Valdoon
- Batman: Mask of the Phantasm - (1993) - Batman/Bruce Wayne
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995; TV series) - Batman/Bruce Wayne
- Rachel Gunn, R.N. (1992; TV series) - Dr. David Dunkle
- Chain of Desire (1992) - Joe
- The Secret Passion of Robert Clayton (1992; TV movie) - Hunter Roy Evans
- Battle in the Errogenous Zone (1992; TV movie) - Mondo Ray
- Hi, Honey - I'm Dead (1991; TV Movie) - Brad Stadler
- The Face of Fear (1990; TV movie) - Frank Dwight Bollinger
- So Proudly We Hail (1990; TV movie) - Francis Crosby
- Killer Instinct (1988; TV movie) - Dr. Steven Nelson
- Tour of Duty (1987-1988; TV series) - Capt. Rusty Wallace
- O'hara (1987; TV series) - Capt. Lloyd Hamilton
- Dynasty (1985-1986; TV series) - Bart Fallmont
- Covenant (1985; TV movie) - Stephen
- Search For Tomorrow (1984-1985; TV series) - Chase Kendall
- George Washington (1984; TV mini-series) - John Laurens
- Kennedy (1983; TV mini-series) - Ted Kennedy
- Born Beautiful (1982; TV movie) - Stan
- Another World (1980-1981; TV series) - Jerry Grove #2
- How To Pick Up Girls! (1978; TV movie) - Bartender
[edit] Stage plays
| Stage Play | Character played | Location performed | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounts | ? | Hudson Guild | ? |
| Come Back Little Sheba | ? | Roundabout Theatre | ? |
| Deathtrap | ? | (on Broadway) | 1979 |
| Eastern Standard | ? | Golden Theatre (Broadway) | 1989 |
| The Greeks | ? | Hartford Stage | ? |
| Hamlet | Hamlet | New York Shapespeare Festival | 1984 |
| Hamlet | Hamlet | Old Globe Theatre, San Diego | ? |
| King Lear | ? | San Diego Shakespeare Festival | ? |
| The Last Yankee | Lenny Hamilton | Signature Theatre | 12/30/97 - 2/8/98 |
| Lolita | ? | (on Broadway) | ? |
| A Midsummer Night's Dream | Lysander | New York Shakespeare Festival | 1984 |
| A Midsummer Night's Dream | Lysander | Old Globe Theater, San Diego | 1982 |
| Mother Courage | ? | ? | ? |
| Much Ado About Nothing | ? | San Diego Shakespeare Festival | ? |
[edit] References
- ^ WONDERCON '07: DC UNIVERSE: SUPERHEROES GO DVD PANEL - NEWSARAMA
- ^ Kevin Conroy to voice Batman in "Batman: Gotham Knight"
- ^ [http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/dcuam/gothamknight/backstage/interview/conroy.php Conroy On Voicing The Caped Crusader In Batman: Gotham Knight]
[edit] External links
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