Summary
- The Joker's true identity has been a subject of secrecy and speculation throughout his existence, with multiple adaptations offering different versions of his name.
- The most widely recognized "real" name for the Joker is Jack Napier, introduced in Tim Burton's Batman film.
- The creators have intentionally maintained the mystery surrounding the Joker's true origins, as they believe it enhances the character's intrigue and popularity.
The Joker wasn't born with that name, meaning creators have struggled to reveal Joker's 'true identity' in every decade he's existed. The secrecy surrounding Joker's true origin story may never fade, and never answer the question, "What is Joker's real name?" Thankfully, the many adaptations and reimaginings of Joker have given fans answers, leaving it to them to decide which seems best.
Joker's adaptations and portrayals have been regularly iconic, from Caesar Romero’s hyperactive portrayal in the 1960s Batman series, to Mark Hamill’s captivating take in Batman: The Animated Series, to Heath Ledger’s terrifying performance in The Dark Knight, and Joaquin Phoenix's Oscar-winning turn in Todd Phillips' Joker. The latter story of 'Arthur Fleck' falls closest (in spirit) to Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's acclaimed one-shot Batman: The Killing Joke, depicting the character as a failed comedian broken by personal tragedy. While the most famous origin, that Joker’s real name is still a mystery. His name, like his life, is destined to be "multiple choice."
What is Joker’s Real Name in Batman Comics?
While the aforementioned Killing Joke never explicitly named its pre-disfigurement Joker, other comics released in the years after did just that in telling their own story. In the 2007 "Lovers and Madmen" arc of the comic Batman: Confidential, by Michael Green and Denys Cowan, The Joker is a former mob hitman also named Jack, although a last name is never given.
Taking a departure, Batman: Streets of Gotham's 2010 "House of Hush" arc by Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen spins an alternate origin story. In this version, The Joker is revealed to be named Sonny, kidnapped as a child by a mobster named Sallie Guzzo, becoming his famous villainous self after years of abuse, and seeking revenge.
The most definitive answers were finally offered in 2022's Flashpoint Beyond and Batman: Three Jokers, the latter a direct follow-up to Killing Joke by Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok (which acknowledged multiple versions of Joker responsible for his contradictory history). In the very-similar-to-reality Flashpoint timeline reveals Joker's original name was 'Jack Oswald White.'
While Three Jokers soon added that Bruce Wayne had uncovered Joker's true identity within the first week of encountering him. So why the secrecy? The presumed-dead wife and child which broken the failed comedian didn't die, but were living in hiding. So as long as Bruce kept the truth unknown, they would be able to live in peace.
Joker’s Real Name in Batman Movies
Joker's most widely recognized 'real' name was introduced in Tim Burton’s Batman, with the character originally an ambitious gangster by the name of Jack Napier. According to Hollywood legend, the name was a creation of the filmmakers intended to combine the name of star Jack Nicholson with actor Alan Napier, who had famously played Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred Pennyworth opposite Adam West on the 1960s television series. (As part of writer/artist Scott Murphy's acknowledgment of the Burton films, the 'Napier' name was retained for his alternature Batman: White Knight universe.
Burton’s movie would retain the (possible) origin story first appearing in Detective Comics #168 (1951), in which Joker was created after falling into a vat of chemicals, and driven insane by his disfigurement (the same story elaborated upon by Moore and Bolland).Batman: The Animated Series would name him Jack Napier in one episode, as a tribute to the Burton/Nicholson version of the character, while keeping its own canonical Joker unnamed. Similarly, depicting him as a former gangster in the animated feature film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.
In 2008's The Dark Knight, Heath Ledger's Joker gets absolutely zero backstory, with director Christopher Nolan opting to keep the character completely mysterious and chaotic. Jared Leto's Suicide Squad Joker also doesn't receive background information. This would be made up for in a way by 2019's standalone Joker origin film, starring Joaquin Phoenix. Clearly inspired by The Killing Joke, Joker begins as a failed stand-up comic named Arthur Fleck, who it's teased may be the illegitimate son of Thomas Wayne... although that's never confirmed to be true.
Joker’s Real Name in GOTHAM
While the FOX TV series Gotham was denied actually labeling their take on the villain Joker, twins Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska (Cameron Monaghan) both offered a unique reinvention of the character. Jerome was seemingly insane from birth, while Jeremiah was ultimately corrupted by his brother. Jerome was all about chaos, while Jeremiah's plans proved much more complex and layered.
There will likely never be a canonical origin or true real name given to the Joker - and nor should there be. The Joker's creator Jerry Robinson never intended to reveal his backstory and believed the mystery was way more intriguing, which is probably why the character remains so popular 80 years after his first appearance.
