In the vast landscape of cinema, actors are often left to be identified with one or the other of their roles. Mark Hamill, however, has had the opportunity to portray several of our favorite characters who would not feel as magical or glorious without the actor today. While most identify him for portraying the remarkable Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy, the actor is equally known for voicing the infamous villain of DC mythos, Joker.
Over the years, the actor has lent his voice countless times to the character, as have many other actors, but it is his iconic Joker laugh that fans have loved. But Hamill’s Joker laugh is not a simple cup of tea.
No One Else Can Do Mark Hamill’s Iconic Joker Laugh
From video games to animated movies and series, Mark Hamill has voiced Joker several times in the past few decades. Widely hailed as one of the best portrayals of the character, his menacing portrayal has been praised for his unique blend of maniac energy and sinister charm.
Effortlessly transitioning between chilling menace and vociferous laughter, Hamill is truly one of the most versatile actors to have ever voiced Joker. But what makes his portrayal even more iconic is the ferocious and sinister laugh of the character.
But imitating the laughter is no easy job for the Star Wars actor revealed in WIRED’s Web’s Most Searched Questions Interview, the tremendous process that goes behind the laugh,
“Well, first of all you have to warm up. It’s like a car engine. If you just rip, it’ll hurt your throat. And there’s no subtle way to do it.”
Adding that he often gets asked to do the Joker’s laugh, Hamill revealed that it’s not something that comes naturally but takes preparation to get it right.
Mark Hamill Did Not Believe He Would Get To Voice Joker
To imagine Mark Hamill not voicing Joker is an impossible feat for the actor has become synonymous with the elite DC role ever since he first voiced the character in Batman: The Animated Series. However, the actor who portrayed the charming hero Luke Skywalker did not believe he would get to voice a character as chaotic and tyrannical as Joker.
While answering WIRED’s questions, the actor revealed how he surprisingly ended up bagging the role.
“When I went in [for the Joker role], I thought, ‘You think they’re gonna hire Luke Skywalker to play the Joker? The fans will lose their minds!’ I was so sure that I couldn’t be cast. I was completely relaxed. A lot of times there’s performance anxiety because you want the part, here I knew I couldn’t get the part, so, who cares? I drove out of the parking lot thinking, ‘That’s the best Joker they’ll ever hear, and it’s too bad they can’t cast me.’ And as soon as they did cast me, it reversed. I was like, ‘Oh no, I can’t do this!'”
Stating that he loves playing the DC character due to his insanity, Hamill choosing to voice Joker was one of the best decisions he ever took. Not only did it increase his appeal as an actor, but it also led to the creation of one of the best Jokers that we will ever know.
Batman: The Animated Series can be streamed on Max.
