Arleen Sorkin, 'incredibly talented' voice of Harley Quinn, 'Days of Our Lives' star, dies at 67

Arleen Sorkin, the original voice and inspiration behind DC Comics character Harley Quinn, has died. She was 67.

Her death was confirmed to USA TODAY on Sunday by Christopher Silbermann, the agent of Sorkin's husband, producer and writer Christopher Lloyd. The actress died of multiple sclerosis.

"We will always remember our dear Arleen for her immense generosity of spirit," Sorkin's family said in a statement.  "Talented, yes, and dogged too, as evidenced by her tenacious, decades-long fight with a terrible disease.  But more than that she was a loving presence in the lives of her two boys, Eli and Owen, her mother Joyce, and brothers Robert and Arthur, and the countless other children, old and young whom she took under her beautiful wing over the years."  

The family added: "It's a sad day for us, but a joyous one too knowing how many people today are summoning her memory and smiling."

DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn posted a tribute to the actress on Instagram Saturday, including an image of Sorkin and her animated Harley Quinn.

"Rest in Peace, Arleen Sorkin, the incredibly talented original voice of Harley Quinn, who helped to create the character so many of us loved," Gunn wrote. "Love to her family and friends."

Mark Hamill, who starred opposite Sorkin as the Joker, posted a tribute on X (formerly Twitter). "Devastated to learn we've lost the brilliant Arleen Sorkin. Not just a wonderful talent, but a truly wonderful person. I'm grateful not only to have worked with her, but to have been her friend," Hamill wrote. "Sending my heartfelt condolences to her family & loved ones."

Harley Quinn made her debut in "Batman: The Animated Series" in 1992. She was originally only meant to star in one episode before the character became a standout villain of her own.

"Batman" writer Paul Dini was inspired by seeing his friend Sorkin on "Days of Our Lives" and "Duet," playing a "very snappy, wisecracking, bubbly blonde," Dini said in an interview with Yahoo in 2016.

"So when I came up with Harley, I asked (Arleen), 'Do you want to do the voice?' And she said, 'Yes.' We brought her in − it was her first voiceover and she did a tremendous job on it," he recalled.

The DC Comics villain went on to become a huge success, with Tara Strong, Kaley Cuoco, Margot Robbie and more taking on the role after Sorkin.

Strong remembered Sorkin on X Saturday as a "gorgeous, talented goddess."

"She was the inspiration & the heart & soul of this iconic character," Strong added, noting that she "was in awe" watching the character.

In addition to Sorkin's work as Harley Quinn, the Washington, D.C., native became popular for her recurring role as Calliope Jones on "Days of Our Lives."

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Her other acting credits include appearances in "Duet," "Ted & Venus," "I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore" and a cameo on "Fraiser," which was executive produced by her husband Christopher Lloyd.

Sorkin was also a writer and producer for the shows "How to Marry a Millionaire" and "Fired Up."

She is survived by her husband Lloyd, whom she married in 1995, and their two children.

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