Arleen Sorkin, Days of Our Lives Vet and Original Harley Quinn, Dead at 67
Arleen Sorkin, best known for playing Calliope Jones on Days of Our Lives and originating DC’s Harley Quinn, has died. She was 67.
Sorkin’s death was confirmed Saturday by DC co-head James Gunn, who wrote on Instagram, “Rest in Peace, Arleen Sorkin, the incredibly talented original voice of Harley Quinn, who helped to create the character so many of us love. Love to her family and friends.”
The actress starred as eccentric fashion designer/wedding planner Calliope Jones on Days from 1984-1990, and later reappeared in 1992, 2006 and 2010. She earned two Daytime Emmy nominations (in 1988 and 1989) for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Sorkin’s Calliope — namely her appearance in this Days scene — would later go on to inspire the DC character Harley Quinn. Sorkin first voiced Harley in 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series and lent her voice to the character in other TV series including Superman: The Animated Series (1997), The New Batman Adventures (1997-1999), Gotham Girls (2000-2002), Static Shock (2003) and Justice League (2003). She also voiced Harley in the 2000 direct-to-video film Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker and the 1997 TV movie The Batman Superman Movie: The World’s Finest.
In addition to TV and film work, Sorkin voiced Harley in animated video games such as Batman: Vengeance (2001), Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009), DC Universe Online (2011) and DC Universe Online: The Last Laugh (2012).
The actress also appeared in episodes of Duet (1987-1989), Open House (1989) and Frasier (2004), among others.
It is incredibly heartbreaking to hear that Arleen Sorkin has passed away. She had such a unique, warm, and friendly voice that she could make you bust a gut one minute and make you fall to pieces the next.
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Thank you for bringing Harley Quinn and Calliope Jones to life.
I never heard of Gotham Girls that’s a new one
It was a web (animated) series, done using Flash, in the early days of such things. And, in retrospect, kind of a prototype for the current Harley Quinn animated series.
https://dcau.fandom.com/wiki/Gotham_Girls
Enjoyed her take on Harley Quinn quite a lot. Rest well, Ms. Sorkin. I will miss you.
No mention of “America’s Funniest… Part II”/”America’s Funniest People”?
I remember that show and was just about to mention enjoying her in that.
I loved watching her and John de Lancie on DOOL. Such a fun character!!! Rest in peace Arleen!! Thank you for the memories, especially the hats!!! Such a sad day!!
Much like Kevin Conroy’s Batman, Arleen Sorkin was the definitive voice for the character Harley Quinn. Saddening times with both of these legends having passed.
Mark Hamill better be looking out!
She was wonderful On Days as Calliope–she and John DeLancie as Eugene were comic gold. This makes me so sad.
I don’t think Harley Quinn would be the icon she is today without Arleen Sorkin.
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Rest in peace, ma’am.
She wouldn’t even EXIST without Arleen Sorkin; Harley was based on her at creation.
It is really sad the number of wrestlers and soap opera stars that have been dying lately.
Eternal rest grant onto Harley Quinn, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she Rest In Peace. Amen🙏
May her soul rest in peace. Loved her as Calliope.
Calliope Jones will forever be one of my favorite soap characters. Calliope, Eugene and Celeste were quite the trio.
It’s a shame on what happened to this character. The original Harley Quinn was suppose to be this cute, innocent goofball. Now, they turned her into a murderous, violent, trashy bimbo. Some people may disagree, but Arleen Sorkin will always and forever be the true HQ.
R.I.P ARLEEN SORKIN (OCTOBER 15, 1955-AUGUST 24, 2023)
Calliope Jones on Days of Our Lives
I never missed a DOOL show especially if she was on. When she left the show and only appeared periodically, I missed her a lot and always wondered if she would return. She was hysterical, sympathetic, loving, and true to everyone. Eugene and Calliope made a great couple on DOOL. Such a beautiful soul. May you rest in peace sweet, beautiful, lady. You will be sorely missed.