What Happened To The Batman Actors...
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VOICE OVER: Rudolph Strong
Nananananananana BATMEN! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're taking a look at the actors most famous for playing The Caped Crusader and where their careers went from there. Our countdown includes actors Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Kevin Conroy and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re taking a look at the actors most famous for playing The Caped Crusader and where their careers went from there. We won’t be including Robert Pattinson, as he’s played the role too recently. Who’s your all-time favorite Batman? Let us know in the comments!
Adam West wasn’t the first actor to don the Batman cowl. But he was the first to make a long-term impact. On the delightfully campy series from the 1960s, West didn’t mug for the camera. Instead, he played both Bruce Wayne and Batman as rather reserved. This made the show’s absurd comedy all the funnier. After the show ended, West had trouble shaking the association with Batman. He reprised the character in both live-action and animated form. He also played the Gray Ghost in “Batman: The Animated Series.” While he’s most famous for Batman, he’s had plenty of memorable appearances in other media. Millennials might know him best as the unhinged mayor on “Family Guy.” In 2017, West passed away, at the age of 88.
When Michael Keaton was announced as the new Batman in Tim Burton’s blockbuster, people were confused and dismayed. Though we now know Keaton to be an accomplished dramatic actor, back then, he was mostly known for comedy. But “Batman” was a massive hit, and Keaton proved his chops. After starring in the sequel, Keaton departed the franchise, following Burton’s exit. He stayed busy post-Batman, starring in films like "Multiplicity" and "Jackie Brown." Though the 2000s were fairly quiet for Keaton, he came back in a big way in 2014, with his Oscar-nominated turn in “Birdman.” Since then, Keaton has further shown his range, playing the villainous Vulture in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and starring in dramas like “Spotlight.” Oh, and he reprised his most famous role in the big-screen “Flash” movie.
After the dark and unsettling "Batman Returns" was met with a fairly polarized response, Warner Bros. decided to go back to the drawing board. They hired Joel Schumacher to direct, and Val Kilmer was cast in his place. While Kilmer's portrayal had its admirers, it wasn't enough to save the movie from feeling more like a cartoon than a superhero epic. He was also upstaged by hammy villain turns from Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones. Kilmer ultimately chose not to continue on as Batman. He had well-received turns in films like “The Prince of Egypt” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.” He also had a touching return as Iceman in “Top Gun: Maverick,” which mirrored his real-life battle with throat cancer.
In theory, George Clooney, with his square jaw and deep voice, was the ideal choice to play Batman following Kilmer’s departure. But Joel Schumacher’s follow up was so over-the-top and ridiculous, no portrayal could save it. It was such a misfire, it essentially put the series on hiatus for nearly a decade. But Clooney quickly rebounded, establishing himself as a true leading man in “Out of Sight” and “Three Kings.” His streak only continued into the 2000s, starring in the “Ocean’s” films and earning accolades for films like "Michael Clayton" and "Syriana," which he won an Oscar for. Clooney has also made his mark as a director. Oh, and he reprised his role as Bruce Wayne in “The Flash” in a memorable cameo.
Even eight years after “Batman & Robin,” there was doubt as to whether Batman had a future in movies. But hope was found, in the form of Christopher Nolan, who gave the material the serious treatment it deserved. Crucial to the success of his trilogy is Christian Bale, who had grown from promising child star to one of the most compelling actors of his generation. Bulking up to play Batman, Bale gave us a hero who truly felt tortured. After wrapping things up with “The Dark Knight Rises,” Bale continued to demonstrate his amazing range, with Oscar-nominated turns in "American Hustle," "The Big Short" and "Vice." He also showed he could play a supervillain when he portrayed Gorr the God Butcher in “Thor: Love and Thunder.”
Ben Affleck is arguably the Batman actor who was most famous prior to playing the Caped Crusader. And when his casting was announced in the eagerly anticipated face-off between Batman and Superman, there was a good deal of skepticism. But while Zack Snyder's film overall got a negative reception, Affleck’s portrayal of an older, jaded Batman was praised. After "Justice League" and a brief role in "The Flash," Affleck appears to have said goodbye to Batman for good. Recent highlights from his filmography include medieval drama "The Last Duel," and sneaker story "Air," which he also directed.
We’ve mostly stuck to live-action portrayals for this list. But real comic fans know that no Batman list is complete without Kevin Conroy. His vocal gravitas was just one of many reasons why "Batman: The Animated Series" was a cut above the average superhero cartoon. And Conroy voiced the Caped Crusader in multiple other series and movies. A closted gay man for much of his life, Conroy understood how to play someone trying to reconcile both a private and public persona. Conroy's unmistakable voice can be heard in Batman media from the 90s through the end of the 2010s. He sadly passed away in 2022 at the age of 66, following a private battle with intestinal cancer.
Adam West
“Batman” (1966-68)Adam West wasn’t the first actor to don the Batman cowl. But he was the first to make a long-term impact. On the delightfully campy series from the 1960s, West didn’t mug for the camera. Instead, he played both Bruce Wayne and Batman as rather reserved. This made the show’s absurd comedy all the funnier. After the show ended, West had trouble shaking the association with Batman. He reprised the character in both live-action and animated form. He also played the Gray Ghost in “Batman: The Animated Series.” While he’s most famous for Batman, he’s had plenty of memorable appearances in other media. Millennials might know him best as the unhinged mayor on “Family Guy.” In 2017, West passed away, at the age of 88.
Michael Keaton
“Batman” (1989) & “Batman Returns” (1992)When Michael Keaton was announced as the new Batman in Tim Burton’s blockbuster, people were confused and dismayed. Though we now know Keaton to be an accomplished dramatic actor, back then, he was mostly known for comedy. But “Batman” was a massive hit, and Keaton proved his chops. After starring in the sequel, Keaton departed the franchise, following Burton’s exit. He stayed busy post-Batman, starring in films like "Multiplicity" and "Jackie Brown." Though the 2000s were fairly quiet for Keaton, he came back in a big way in 2014, with his Oscar-nominated turn in “Birdman.” Since then, Keaton has further shown his range, playing the villainous Vulture in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and starring in dramas like “Spotlight.” Oh, and he reprised his most famous role in the big-screen “Flash” movie.
Val Kilmer
“Batman Forever” (1995)After the dark and unsettling "Batman Returns" was met with a fairly polarized response, Warner Bros. decided to go back to the drawing board. They hired Joel Schumacher to direct, and Val Kilmer was cast in his place. While Kilmer's portrayal had its admirers, it wasn't enough to save the movie from feeling more like a cartoon than a superhero epic. He was also upstaged by hammy villain turns from Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones. Kilmer ultimately chose not to continue on as Batman. He had well-received turns in films like “The Prince of Egypt” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.” He also had a touching return as Iceman in “Top Gun: Maverick,” which mirrored his real-life battle with throat cancer.
George Clooney
“Batman & Robin” (1997)In theory, George Clooney, with his square jaw and deep voice, was the ideal choice to play Batman following Kilmer’s departure. But Joel Schumacher’s follow up was so over-the-top and ridiculous, no portrayal could save it. It was such a misfire, it essentially put the series on hiatus for nearly a decade. But Clooney quickly rebounded, establishing himself as a true leading man in “Out of Sight” and “Three Kings.” His streak only continued into the 2000s, starring in the “Ocean’s” films and earning accolades for films like "Michael Clayton" and "Syriana," which he won an Oscar for. Clooney has also made his mark as a director. Oh, and he reprised his role as Bruce Wayne in “The Flash” in a memorable cameo.
Christian Bale
“Batman Begins” (2005), “The Dark Knight” (2008), & “The Dark Knight Rises” (2012)Even eight years after “Batman & Robin,” there was doubt as to whether Batman had a future in movies. But hope was found, in the form of Christopher Nolan, who gave the material the serious treatment it deserved. Crucial to the success of his trilogy is Christian Bale, who had grown from promising child star to one of the most compelling actors of his generation. Bulking up to play Batman, Bale gave us a hero who truly felt tortured. After wrapping things up with “The Dark Knight Rises,” Bale continued to demonstrate his amazing range, with Oscar-nominated turns in "American Hustle," "The Big Short" and "Vice." He also showed he could play a supervillain when he portrayed Gorr the God Butcher in “Thor: Love and Thunder.”
Ben Affleck
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016), “Justice League” (2017)Ben Affleck is arguably the Batman actor who was most famous prior to playing the Caped Crusader. And when his casting was announced in the eagerly anticipated face-off between Batman and Superman, there was a good deal of skepticism. But while Zack Snyder's film overall got a negative reception, Affleck’s portrayal of an older, jaded Batman was praised. After "Justice League" and a brief role in "The Flash," Affleck appears to have said goodbye to Batman for good. Recent highlights from his filmography include medieval drama "The Last Duel," and sneaker story "Air," which he also directed.
Kevin Conroy
VariousWe’ve mostly stuck to live-action portrayals for this list. But real comic fans know that no Batman list is complete without Kevin Conroy. His vocal gravitas was just one of many reasons why "Batman: The Animated Series" was a cut above the average superhero cartoon. And Conroy voiced the Caped Crusader in multiple other series and movies. A closted gay man for much of his life, Conroy understood how to play someone trying to reconcile both a private and public persona. Conroy's unmistakable voice can be heard in Batman media from the 90s through the end of the 2010s. He sadly passed away in 2022 at the age of 66, following a private battle with intestinal cancer.
