Several voice actors fromBatman: The Animated Serieshad already made their mark in the world of Gotham long before lending their voices to the animated classic, having appeared as characters in the 1960sBatmanseries. Known for its campy humor, colorful villains, and larger-than-life performances, the originalBatmanshow introduced a generation toDC’s Caped Crusader in a style radically different from the darker tone of BTAS.Batman: The Animated Serieshonored its 1960s predecessor by casting several actors from the show, bridging the gap between two very different interpretations of the Caped Crusader.
Despite stylistic differences,Batman: The Animated Seriespaid homage to its predecessor in several ways, including casting actors who had been part of the 1960s show. With its noir-inspired aesthetic and mature storytelling,Batman: TASbrought a new depth to Gotham City while keeping a connection to the beloved TV series. These performances not only demonstrated the actors' versatility but also celebrated Batman’s enduring legacy across decades of storytelling.
7Adam West Voiced The Gray Ghost
West Previously Played Batman
Adam West, synonymous with the 1966BatmanTV series, made a memorableappearance inBatman: TASas Simon Trent, also known as The Gray Ghost. Trent was a washed-up actor who had once starred as the titular hero in a fictional show thatdeeply influenced a young Bruce Wayne. In the episode “Beware the Gray Ghost,” Trent reluctantly teams up with Batman to solve a mystery, creating a poignant commentary on the legacy of heroes, both fictional and real.
West’s portrayal of Batman in the 1966 series was a cultural phenomenon. His campy, straight-laced performance as the Caped Crusader became iconic, and his legacy as a cornerstone of Batman’s history made his casting in BTAS particularly meaningful. By voicing The Gray Ghost, West brought a meta layer to the story,reflecting on the enduring impact of his own role in the Batman mythos.
McDowall Previously Played The Bookworm
Legendary star of thePlanet of the Apesmovies, Roddy McDowall, lent his voice to the twisted Jervis Tetch, also known as the Mad Hatter, inBatman: The Animated Series. Tetch’s obsession with Alice in Wonderland and unrequited love for a coworker lead him down a dark path,making him one ofBatman: TAS’s most tragic villains. McDowall’s performance captured the character’s loneliness and madness, turning him into a standout antagonist.
Before becoming the Mad Hatter inBatman: TAS, McDowall appeared in the 1960sBatmanseries as the Bookworm. The Bookworm wasa highly intelligent but overlooked villain with a penchant for literary-themed crimeswho was original to the series. While the Bookworm only appeared in a two-part episode, McDowall’s performance was memorable, foreshadowing his future success in portraying another cerebral Batman villain inBatman: TAS.
5Bob Hastings Voiced Commissioner Gordon
Hastings Previously Played Major Beasley
Bob Hastings was the voice of Gotham’s stalwart Commissioner James Gordon throughoutBatman: TAS, portraying him as a calm and reliable ally to Batman. His performance added gravitas and warmth to the character, making Gordona critical figure in the series’ exploration of justice and morality. Hastings appeared throughoutBatman: TAS, serving as one of the show’s main cast, with a performance nearly as iconic as Kevin Conroy’s Batman inBatman: TAS.
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Hastings previously had a brief role in the 1960sBatmanshow, playing Major Beasley in season 2, episode 43 “Penguin Sets A Trend.” In the episode, Penguin casts Batman and Robin in a movie which is linked to a criminal scheme. Though Hastings’s Major Beasley was a minor role, Hastings had appeared in numerous DC shows, even voicing Superboy. After being cast inBatman: TAS,Hastings voiced Gordon for over 10 years.
4Barry Dennen Voiced Shadow Agent
Dennen Previously Played FRED
Barry Dennen voiced a Shadow Agent inBatman: TASseason 1, episode 50 “Off Balance.” The episode follows Batman encountering the Society of Shadows while pursuing Count Vertigo. This leads to a gripping showdown with the society’s deadly agents. InBatman: TAS, Dennen’s Shadow Agentserves as a background figure in Gotham’s criminal underworld, illustrating the pervasive corruption that Batman fights to contain.
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Before this, Barry Dennen had a small but memorable role in the 1960sBatmanshow as Fernando Ricardo Enrique Dominguez (aka FRED), a henchman in season 3, episode 21-22 “The Great Escape” and “The Great Train Robbery.” After he supervillain Shame escapes from jail, he embarks on a new crime wave in Gotham. Shame recruits some new henchpeople, including Dennen’s FRED. His connection to the 1966 series serves asanother example ofBatman: TAShonoring the legacy of its campy predecessor.
3Steve Franken Voiced Rundle
Franken Previously Played Rudy The Valet
Steve Franken provided the voice for Arnold Rundle inBatman: The Animated Series, season 1, episode 55 “The Mechanic.” Rundle appears as an associate of Carmine Falcone, who works as an auto parts company, who offers Penguin information regarding the Batmobile. Franken’s Rundle might not have been as prominent, but the show’s use of actors with ties to the 1966 seriesreflected its deep respect for Batman’s legacyacross different mediums.
Before playing Rundle, Franken had appeared in the 1960sBatmanseries as Rudy the Valet in season 2, episode 40, “That Darn Catwoman.” Rudy is the valet for the inventor Pat Pending, who is targeted by Catwoman. Franken’s comedic performancefit right in with the campy tone of the original show, where even the smallest roles contributed to the larger-than-life atmosphere. His interactions with Pat are especially enjoyable, lampooning contemporary capitalism.
2Michael Pataki Voiced The Sewer King
Pataki Previously Played Amenophis Tewfik
Michael Pataki voiced the villainous Sewer King inBatman: TAS, a sinister character who exploits runaway children to further his criminal schemes. Sewer King was created forBatman: TASseason 1, episode 6 “The Underdwellers,”before transitioning into the comics. While the Sewer King was one of the show’s less notable antagonists, Pataki’s chilling performance made him a memorable figure in Gotham’s underbelly.
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Pataki’s connection to theBatmanfranchise began in the 190s series, where he played Amenophis Tewfik, an accomplice to King Tut. Amenophis appeared inBatmanseason 2, episodes 7-8 “The Curse of Tut” and “The Pharoah’s in a Rut.” Like many of the villains and henchmen in the original show, Tewfik was portrayed witha blend of menace and humor.Pataki’s transition from the campy tone of the 1966 series to the darkerBatman: TAS highlightsthe evolution of Batman storytelling over the decades.
1Judy Strangis Voiced Tammy Vance
Strangis Previously Played A Teenager
Judy Strangis lent her voice to Tammy Vance inBatman: TASseason 2, episode 11 “Baby-Doll.” Tammy was one of the actors held hostage by the eponymous villain, Baby-Doll. The episode is notable for having one of the strangest yet most sympathetic adversaries. Tammy’s presenceoffered a virtuous contrastto this, serving as a righteous innocent caught up in Gotham’s criminal element.
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Strangis’ earlier connection to Batman came from her appearance in the 1966 series as a teenager in season 2, episodes 29-30 “The Cat’s Meow” and “The Bat’s Kow Tow.” Though an extra inBatman, Strangiswent on to star in her own superhero series 10 years later,Electra Woman and Dyna Girl. Strangis’ presence in both iterations of Batman underscores how actors from the campyBatmanseries were seamlessly integrated into the more grounded and nuanced world ofBatman: The Animated Series.
Batman: The Animated Series
Cast
Batman: The Animated Series follows Bruce Wayne as he assumes the role of the masked vigilante Batman to combat crime in Gotham City. This acclaimed 1992 series explores his dual identity and features an array of iconic villains, while Bruce vows to avenge the murder of his parents.
