Tributes Pour in For Late Gay Batman Actor Kevin Conroy – Out Magazine

November 14, 2022 News Editor

Batman has hung up his cowl.

Kevin Conroy, a talented voice actor known for his longtime portrayal of Bruce Wayne and Batman in too many DC projects to count, sadly passed away on November 10 after a fight with intestinal cancer.

Immediately, tributes to the late, great actor and gay icon started pouring in.

“Whether in voice or in person, putting on the suit is a great responsibility. Kevin Conroy inspired and delighted Batman fans… I am sorry to hear that he is gone,” said Lynda Carter, who famously played Wonder Woman in the ’80s live-action show.

“It is with great sorrow we mourn the loss of Kevin Conroy, the gravelly voice behind the animated Batman,” added Star Trek actor George Takei. “For three decades, Conroy served as a beacon for justice and inspiration to many. Tonight Gotham and the world at large keep the Bat-Signal lit for you.”

Conroy’s most famous voice acting role was that of Bruce Wayne and Batman across many animated projects including Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, movies like Batman: Gotham Knight, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, Batman: The Killing Joke, and video games like the Batman: Arkham series.

Conroy was gay and wrote a comic about his experiences as a gay man in the industry as a part of a recent DC Comics Pride anthology. In the comic, he revealed that he used the homophobia he had faced to shape his legendary portrayal of The Dark Knight.

In his honor, DC has made the entire DC Pride 2022 #1 anthology free to read online so everyone can enjoy his story.

Conroy was universally beloved in the voice-acting community and is considered by many to be the definitive voice of Batman. He’s the first out gay actor to ever play the superhero and one of the first out actors to play any superhero.

Conroy passed away at the age of 66 and is survived by his husband Vaughn C. Williams. Tributes to him will likely not stop any time soon.