Joker (character) facts for kids

A cosplayer dressed up as Joker

The Joker is a famous supervillain from comic books published by DC Comics. He is the main enemy of Batman. Many people believe Jerry Robinson created the character, who first appeared in Batman #1 in 1940.

About the Joker

The Joker is a master criminal. His personality has changed over time in the comic books. Sometimes he is shown as a very serious villain, and other times as a funny trickster. He is Batman's biggest enemy and has caused many difficult challenges for Batman, including hurting Barbara Gordon and causing the death of Jason Todd, who was the second Robin.

The idea for the Joker came from a character in the 1928 silent movie The Man Who Laughs. This character was played by Conrad Veidt.

The Joker does not have any superpowers. Instead, he is very smart with chemicals. He creates dangerous poisons and special weapons. These include playing cards with sharp edges, buzzers that give a shock, and flowers on his jacket that spray acid. The Joker sometimes works with other villains in Gotham City, like the Penguin and Two-Face. He also joins groups like the Injustice Gang. However, these teams often break apart because the Joker loves to cause chaos. In the 1990s, a new character named Harley Quinn became his sidekick. She was his former psychiatrist. Even though he is mostly focused on Batman, the Joker has also fought other heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman.

The Joker's Story

Over the years, there have been different stories about how the Joker became who he is. Most stories say he fell into a vat of chemical waste. This accident turned his skin white, his hair green, and his lips bright red. This gave him his clown-like look.

The Joker in Movies and Shows

Cesar Romero was the first actor to play Joker in a movie in the 1966 Batman movie

Jack Nicholson played Joker in the Batman (1989)

Heath Ledger played the character in The Dark Knight (2008)

Jared Leto plays the character in the DC Extended Universe (since 2016)

Joaquin Phoenix played Joker in Joker (2019)

Barry Keoghan played Joker in The Batman (2022)

The Joker has appeared in many movies, TV shows, and video games. Famous actors who have played him in movies include Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, Jared Leto, Joaquin Phoenix, and Barry Keoghan. In animated shows and movies, actors like Mark Hamill, Richard Epcar, and Kevin Michael Richardson have voiced him.

Both Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix won an Academy Award for playing the Joker. This makes the Joker the second character ever to have actors win this award more than once for the same role.

Actors Who Played the Joker

• Played by Cesar Romero
  • Batman (1966)
• Played by Jack Nicholson
  • Batman (1989)
• Played by Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight Trilogy
  • The Dark Knight (2008)
• Played by Jared Leto in the DC Extended Universe
  • Suicide Squad (2016)
  • Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)
• Played by Joaquin Phoenix
  • Joker (2019)
• Played by Barry Keoghan
  • The Batman (2022)

Joker-Themed Rides

• Joker's Joyride - This was a roller coaster at several Six Flags parks, including Six Flags Great Adventure and Six Flags New England.
• Joker - This is a special hybrid roller coaster at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

See also

In Spanish: Joker (personaje) para niños