To date, there are countless incarnations of the Joker in various live-action and animated DC productions, ranging from a revised version of the character in the prequel series Gotham and multiple animated appearances. Debates about who the best Joker is continue to rage on, and it's only bound to get longer as Joker reemerges in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Even though Heath Ledger's version from The Dark Knight is a hot favorite, Jack Nicholson's Clown Prince Of Crime from Tim Burton's Batman left a lasting legacy
The legendary actor played the notorious Gothamite to such perfection that it's arguable that his Joker impacted all Jokers who came after. Nicholson's Joker was not only violent but he also some of the best one-liners and fashion sense ever. Plus, he was quite unique too. Here are some stand-out things about this version of the Joker.
He Killed Batman's Parents
In the DC comics and other Batman stories, Bruce Wayne's parents are killed by a random criminal known as Joe Chill. In the 2019 Todd Phillips film, the Waynes are killed by a rioter who was only inspired by Joker's rhetoric. However, in the 1989 film, it is the Joker who personally kills Thomas and Martha Wayne.
When it happens, he's still a petty yet sadistic thug who has no idea that he'll become one of Gotham City's deadliest criminals. Originally, he was just going to shoot a young Bruce as well but the police were closing in, forcing him and Joe Chill to bail. Little did Jack know that the boy he spared would not only become the Dark Knight, but also his mortal enemy.
He Was The First To Have A Real Name
Nicholson's Joker was the first to have a real name. All the other Jokers were simply known by, well, "Joker." The real name of Nicholson's Joker was Jack Napier, and his aliases included Uncle Bingo and "The World's First Homicidal Artist."
In contrast, Cesar Romero's '60s-era Joker, the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) Joker voiced by Mark Hamill, Ledger's aforementioned Joker, and Jared Leto's Suicide Squad incarnation never had a name, which only added to Joker's mystery. The only other Joker to be named was Joaquin Phoenix's take in Joker, where he's known first as Arthur Fleck.
He Has The Highest Kill Count
Nicholson's Joker is a murderous psychopath. He kills 50 people throughout the film, making him the Joker with the highest kill count. Heath Ledger's Joker takes second place with 38 kills.
The DCAU Joker may have 13 confirmed kills but he rarely murders anyone. His victims are mostly saved by Batman, and it has been suggested that this is the case because majority of the DCAU shows and movies. Since these shows are mostly watched by children, the lack of mass murder shouldn't be too surprising. Romero's Joker carries himself as more of a fun-loving clown than a killer, whereas Phoenix's Joker only (directly) kills six people.
He Started Out In The Gotham Mob
Nicholson's Joker started out as a thug working for the mob boss Carl Garrison. By the time Bruce Wayne becomes Batman, Jack has moved up the mob's ranks and even had an affair with his boss' girlfriend.
As for the Jokers of Ledger, Leto, and Romero, not much is known about their early lives. Phoenix's Joker, on the other hand, is a struggling stand-up comic who also suffers from a mental illness. The DCAU Joker starts out as a lowly hit-man for the Valestra mob, making him the most similar to Nicholson's version. While he doesn't go up the ranks like Jack did, he still becomes the Joker by following the rest of Jack's origin.
Plastic Surgery Turned Him Into The Joker
In the 1989 film, Jack Napier becomes the Joker after falling into a vat of chemicals while dueling with Batman. As he falls, Batman fails to save him. Jack's skin and face are damaged, hence his plastic surgery. The DCAU Joker also falls into a drainage of chemical waste, though he doesn't undergo any kind of plastic surgery.
As for Ledger's Joker, not much is said but it's suggested that his violent father cut his lips. Phoenix's Joker becomes the Clown Prince Of Crime as a means of venting out his frustrations and mental illness. For Romero's psychotic clown, there is no background given as he's just a dangerous prankster.
He Has Love Interests
For majority of DC live action and animated productions, Joker's love interest has been Harley Quinn. She was a doctor at Arkham Assylum who ended up falling for the Joker and joining him in the world of crime. But by the time the 1989 Tim Burton movie came out, Harley Quinn had yet to exist, as she was first introduced in Batman: The Animated Series.
At first, Nicholson's Joker is in love with Alicia Hunt, his boss' girlfriend. However, she took her own life after the Joker threw acid at her face as part of some sick joke only he understood. He then falls for Bruce Wayne's girlfriend Vicki Vale, though he never quite manages to build a proper relationship with her.
He Doesn't Share Screen-time With Other Villains
Nicholson's Joker deals with Batman all by himself. Their interactions are memorable but as always, Batman ends up on top when it's all said and done. What makes this unique is that minus a couple of goons, he and he alone squares off with Batman.
Other Jokers have had to share the spotlight with other villains. Even Ledger's Joker had Harvey Dent aka Two Face by his side, though the two didn't get along. Leto's Joker may not have spent a lot of time with the Suicide Squad but he did have Harley Quinn at his side, both in the flashbacks and the film's present. The DCAU Joker, meanwhile, worked with nearly every single Gotham villain at one point in time. Phoenix's Joker lives in an alternate version of Gotham that's stripped bare of its comic book trappings, so his one-man killing spree doesn't really count.
He's The Oldest Joker
The age of Nicholson's Joker is reported to be 52, making him the oldest Joker ever. For comparison, the DCAU Joker is said to be 48-years-old, Phoenix's Joker is around 45, Romero's Joker was in his early 40's and Leto was around 45 when he portrayed the Joker, so it's safe to assume they share the same age.
As for Ledger's Joker, no exact age is mentioned but he looks fairly young. Heath was in his late 20's when he played the character so it can be said that his Joker were of the same age group. Technically, this makes him the youngest Joker to date.
He Has The Deepest Voice
Of all the Jokers, this particular incarnation is the only one with a deep voice. All other Jokers have high-pitched, clownish voices, which fits their characters. Meanwhile, Nicholson's Joker has a deep voice probably because this is just how Nicholson speaks normally. That, and he may have been unable to modify his pitch just for the role.
There are moments where he uses a higher pitch than normal, but these are quite few. For most of the time, Nicholson keeps the voice he used for his other villainous roles. This makes his Joker more terrifying than the rest.
He Dies
No other Joker has died and stayed dead except for Nicholson's version. The Joker dies after his attempt to grab a helicopter's ladder in order to flee from Batman fails. Commissioner Gordon finds the Joker's body, splattered on the road below. He appears to still be laughing but it turns out it's just a pre-recorded box that was in his pocket.
After Joker's death, Batman continues to have hallucinations about Jack Napier, forcing him to get psychiatric help from Dr. Chase Meridian in Batman Forever. Additionally, Joker's death signaled the end of the traditional Gotham mobs and the rise of the theatrical villains Batman would become famous for fighting.