TV - Movies
Why We Can
Thank Days Of
Our Lives For The
Creation Of
Harley Quinn
By RUSSELL MURRAY
Harley Quinn is one of the most popular characters in the current DC Comics landscape. While Lady Gaga is set to reprise the character in the upcoming sequel to 2019's "Joker," actresses Margot Robbie, Tara Strong, and Kaley Cuoco have also taken on comics’ first lady of crime in the recent past.
All of these actresses have left their impression on the audience — and that's why fans think of them when they think of Harley Quinn. However, credit for originating the character goes to '80s daytime soap opera star Arleen Sorkin, who played the role of Calliope Jones Bradford on "Days of Our Lives."
Sorkin recounted in a 2009 interview with former Batman website Brother-Eye.net that she suggested doing a fantasy episode on her show after watching the 1987 film "The Princess Bride." The “Days of Our Lives” writers loved her idea and had her play a jester in a blue and red costume and black and white face paint.
According to Sorkin, Paul Dini — her friend and Batman writer — happened to watch the episode, which inspired him to create the character of Harley Quinn. Sorkin went on to voice Harley Quinn in the early DC Animated Universe, including the character’s first appearances in "Batman: The Animated Series."