Days Of Our Lives Star Arleen Sorkin Dead At 67
Actor Arleen Sorkin, known for her work on "Days of Our Lives" and as the original voice of Harley Quinn, has died at age 67.
Sorkin passed away Thursday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She had been active in Hollywood for decades, though she was best known for her two major roles.
Sorkin was well-known to soap fans as she played Calliope Jones on the sudser "Days of Our Lives" in more than 400 episodes from 1984 to 2010. The role allowed her to spread her wings as an actor, as over the years the character became a seamstress, talk show host, and even an android (via Soaps).
The voice actor also brought life to the DC Comics character of Harley Quinn after Paul Dini, her college friend and "Batman" writer, cast her as the soon-to-be-famous harlequin (via The Hollywood Reporter). She had been hired to voice the character for a single episode. However, the character's popularity allowed Sorkin to voice the sometimes villainous, sometimes heroic Quinn on various "Batman" animated shows, TV movies, and video games for about two decades (via AV Club).
Her first major acting role was as an extra on "Saturday Night Live" in 1982, per Deadline. She also appeared in shows like "Duet," "Dream On," and "Frasier."
Sorkin hadn't acted in recent years due to health issues, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Tributes poured in for Arleen Sorkin on social media
Director James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, posted a tribute Saturday to ArSorkin on Instagram. "Rest in Peace, Arleen Sorkin, the incredibly talented original voice of Harley Quinn, who helped to create the character so many of us love. Love to her family and friends," he wrote.
Actor Mark Hamill, who has voiced the Joker in the Batman animated series, posted his condolences to Twitter. The "Star Wars" actor said he was "devastated," adding, "Not just a wonderful talent, but a truly wonderful person. I'm grateful not only to have worked with her but to have been her friend. Sending my heartfelt condolences to her family & loved ones." Several fans responded with their own memories of Sorkin. One said, "'I first saw her on Days of Our Lives.' So when I heard her on Batman I instantly recognized her voice. ... Definitely will missed."
Fans also posted remembrances and condolences in the comments of James Gunn's post. "I watched her as Calliope on 'Days of Our Lives' when I was a teenager, in my grandfather's shop. I'm devastated," one said. Another posted, "Today is the day that the clown cried. Damn. She changed the game and will be greatly missed."
For her work as Calliope Jones on "Days of Our Lives," Sorkin received two Daytime Emmys nominations, both for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, according to Soap Central. She also named four Soap Opera Digest Awards throughout her career.