Mark Hamill
From DC Animated Universe Wiki, the DCAU Database
Mark Hamill (b. 25 September, 1951) is an American actor instantly recognizable for playing Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars film trilogy. He has voiced a wide variety of roles in the DCAU, the most famous being his portrayal of The Joker.
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[edit] DCAU Filmography
[edit] Background Information
A devoted comic book fan, Hamill was eager to play a role in Batman: The Animated Series when it was first being cast. He asked if he could play one of Batman's regular rogues, especially the Joker, but the part had already been given to Tim Curry. Hamill was initially given the part of Ferris Boyle, the sleazy corporate villain of "Heart of Ice."
In an interview, Andrea Romano admitted that it was counter-intuitive for them to cast iconic film hero "Luke Skywalker" as a villain. But Hamill's performance as Boyle tremendously impressed all of them. Later, when they decided that Curry's performance wasn't quite right, Hamill was their first choice to replace him. Paul Dini writes that, when Hamill's audition tape was heard, "we all realized we had our clown. Not only was Mark's line reading dead-on, but his laugh captured all the bitter madness of the character. We looked at each other and said, 'Brrr!'"
Romano also said that, in addition to his performances, Hamill was valuable to the show for his unflagging enthusiasm and deep familiarity with the comics background.
Since playing the Joker, Hamill has enjoyed a prolific career as a voice-over actor.
Hamill also played The Trickster in two episodes of the live-action Flash television series, a role he returned to for the Justice League Unlimited episode "Flash and Substance."
Outside of the DCAU, he also provided the voice of the Joker (with another actor, seen only in shadows, acting as a body double) for the pilot episode of the short-lived Birds of Prey television series.
