8 Batman: The Animated Series Episodes You Didn’t Realize Cast Future A-List Stars

It’s rare for a cartoon to have such a talented voice cast, and Batman: The Animated Series is one of those exceptional shows. While Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are well-known for their roles, the series also featured many actors who went on to become famous in comedy, dramas, and big-budget movies. Before they were household names, these performers contributed their voices to a variety of characters in Gotham City – from criminals to ordinary people and those caught in between.

What’s truly remarkable about the show is the depth it gave to every character, no matter how small the role. Even characters who only appeared in one episode felt fully realized, with believable emotions and motivations, and were brought to life by fantastic performances. This meant that many actors who later became major stars contributed to stories that made the show a superhero classic. From villains to more subtle, emotional roles, these episodes demonstrate the incredible talent involved in creating Batman’s animated world.

Batman: TAS Season 2, Episode 5 “House & Garden”

Megan Mullally, who later became famous for her role as Karen in Will & Grace, made a guest appearance on Batman: The Animated Series. In the season 2 episode “House & Garden,” she played Cindy, a college student dating Dick Grayson (Robin). Even before her sitcom success, Mullally brought a lot of energy and wit to the character. The episode offers a rare glimpse into Robin’s life outside of fighting crime, focusing on his personal relationships.

In “House & Garden,” Dick tries to experience a typical college life. While he’s studying with Cindy, things become playful and romantic, but a call from Bruce Wayne quickly pulls him back to his duties as a crime fighter.

Cindy is left upset and walks away when she understands she can’t compete with Dick’s secret life. This brief scene highlights the emotional toll of being Robin. Despite not being on screen for long, Mullaly convincingly portrays the difficulties and complexities of Dick trying to juggle his two lives.

Batman: TAS Season 1, Episode 26 “Appointment In Crime Alley”

“Appointment in Crime Alley” is a particularly meaningful episode of Batman: The Animated Series. Jeffrey Tambor voices Crocker, a criminal working for Roland Daggett. Though Tambor was a working actor for many years, he later became more widely known for his roles in Arrested Development and Transparent.

In “Appointment in Crime Alley,” Crocker recruits Nitro, an explosives expert, to help with a dangerous scheme. Their plan involves demolishing Crime Alley to allow Daggett to build on the land, and Nitro assists in setting the bombs that put many innocent people in Gotham at risk.

Tambor skillfully plays two roles in the episode – he’s both a character and the voice of the SWAT Leader who later expresses gratitude to Batman, demonstrating his impressive vocal flexibility. The episode powerfully highlights Bruce Wayne’s yearly visit to remember his parents, weaving together his personal grief with the city’s criminal underbelly. Tambor’s performance brings a realistic and unsettling edge to a story that’s already full of emotion.

Batman: TAS Season 1, Episode 20 “Feat Of Clay Part I”

The first part of “Feat of Clay” introduced Clayface, one of the most heartbreaking villains in Batman: The Animated Series. Voiced by Ron Perlman, Matt Hagen was a famous actor whose obsession with his looks led him to become involved with the villain Roland Daggett. Hagen became addicted to a strong chemical that he used to keep up his appearance after a terrible car accident left him disfigured.

Even before Ron Perlman became known for roles in Hellboy and Sons of Anarchy, this performance demonstrated his skill at combining bold, dramatic acting with believable emotional depth. Perlman is captivating from the beginning, brilliantly portraying Hagen’s pride, growing desperation, and ultimate terror as the formula transforms him in frightening ways.

The scene where Clayface transforms is still one of the most visually impressive and emotionally difficult moments in the show. Clayface isn’t simply a one-off villain; he represents a warning about the dangers of fame, addiction, and losing yourself.

Batman: TAS Season 1, Episode 40 “If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Rich?”

John Glover is widely recognized by fans of superhero shows for his role as Lionel Luthor on Smallville. Before that, he provided the voice for the Riddler in Batman: The Animated Series. He first appeared in the memorable episode, “If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Rich?”

When Nygma is fired by his condescending boss, Daniel Mockridge, he transforms into the Riddler to get his revenge. Actor Paul Dano delivers a vocal performance that’s dramatic but controlled, highlighting Nygma’s hurt feelings and strong sense of intelligence. The episode doesn’t show him as a typical, maniacal villain; instead, it portrays him as a gifted but self-centered designer driven to desperation.

The complex traps he creates seem like cruel reflections of workplace bullying. The story stays true to the series’ dark and mysterious atmosphere while giving a familiar villain a fresh, contemporary spin. With this debut, Glover demonstrates that Batman: The Animated Series always showcased incredibly talented performers—often before those actors became household names.

Batman: TAS Season 1, Episode 15 “The Cat and the Claw: Part I”

In the Batman: The Animated Series episode “The Cat and the Claw: Part I,” Kate Mulgrew provides the voice for Red Claw, a villain created just for the show. Red Claw is a dangerous and sophisticated terrorist who hides behind the company Multigon. She uses political unrest and carefully planned violence to achieve her own goals, both financially and ideologically. Mulgrew perfectly captures the character’s cold, powerful personality and ruthless drive.

Red Claw stands out from typical Batman villains because she feels like a real threat. She doesn’t just commit local crimes – she masterminds huge, international operations that force Batman to travel the world. She commands every scene she’s in, making it clear she’s much more than just another criminal leader.

Long before her iconic roles in Star Trek: Voyager and Orange Is the New Black made her a television star, Mulgrew gave a standout performance. She transformed an initially simple villain into a truly compelling and believable opponent. Red Claw is still considered one of the show’s best, yet often overlooked, villains.

Batman: TAS Season 1, Episode 17 “See No Evil”

The Batman: The Animated Series episode “See No Evil” introduces a young Elisabeth Moss playing Kimberly “Kimmy” Ventrix. She’s a genuinely kind character at the center of a particularly heartbreaking storyline. Kimmy’s father, Lloyd Ventrix, is a dangerous criminal who has just been released from prison.

This episode really got to me. It centers around a divorced dad who, after a restraining order is put in place, does something drastic – he steals an invisibility suit just to be near his daughter. He pretends to be her imaginary friend, ‘Mojo,’ and it’s both clever and incredibly sad. What struck me most was Kimmy’s performance; she beautifully portrays a child’s vulnerability and deep desire for connection. It’s her performance that really makes you feel the weight of Lloyd’s increasingly desperate actions, and honestly, it’s heartbreaking to watch him spiral.

Rather than portraying a typical villain, the story shows a flawed man desperately trying to be a father, even if he’s going about it in a damaging way. Before she received widespread praise for The Handmaid’s Tale, Moss was already known for her nuanced acting. She consistently delivers impressive performances, even when voicing characters in animated shows for children.

Batman: TAS Season 1, Episode 49 “I Am The Night”

In the Batman: The Animated Series episode “I Am The Night,” young Seth Green provides the voice for Wizard, a minor crook trying to survive in Gotham City’s criminal world. Wizard ran away from home hoping to get rich, and now he gets by on begging and small scams, which have gotten him into trouble with others. Batman steps in when two thugs, Willie and Monk, start to bully him.

Even so, Wizard doesn’t seem affected by Batman’s serious talk. When sent to live with Leslie Thompkins, he’s reluctant to change his ways at first. However, as the episode progresses and Batman questions himself, Wizard starts to think about whether he should change his life.

Green’s performance gives the character of Wizard a genuine and relatable quality, avoiding the pitfalls of being overly exaggerated. He brought this talent to the role long before becoming well-known for shows like Family Guy and Austin Powers. Even then, he was skilled at playing tough characters who also had hidden emotional layers.

The New Batman Adventures Season 1, Episode 1 “Holiday Nights”

The premiere of The New Batman Adventures, titled “Holiday Nights,” kept up the high standard of guest stars established by Batman: The Animated Series. Notably, a young Billy West provided the voices for Mo, Lar, and Cur – three strong but not very bright thugs working for the Joker.

Though not the brightest bulbs, these three characters offer genuinely funny moments during the Joker’s wild schemes. West cleverly gives each one a distinct voice, hinting at the vocal range he’d later become famous for in shows like Futurama and many other popular cartoons.

Even minor characters in the show needed talented voice actors. West’s lively performance made each henchman feel unique, giving depth to the Joker’s group of criminals. This is just one way Batman: The Animated Series helped launch the careers of many future voice acting stars.

2026-02-22 05:11