Kevin Conroy, the voice actor behind the iconic DC Comics hero Bruce Wayne and his alter-ego Batman in various media franchises, has passed away at the age of 66.

The actor died on Thursday after a short battle with cancer, according to a statement from Warner Bros. Discovery. News of his death first broke out on Facebook as a result of an emotional post from his Batman: The Animated Series co-star Diane Pershing.

Born on November 30, 1955, Kevin Conroy was a Juilliard-trained Broadway actor who was considered by many as the quintessential voice of Batman, playing the character in numerous productions. Conroy rose to fame thanks to Batman: The Animated Series, a critically-acclaimed Warner Bros. Animation project from Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and Mitch Brian.

Thanks to his work in animation, Kevin Conroy went on to voice Batman in the Arkham trilogy from Rocksteady and the Injustice games from NetherRealm Studios. He also made a live-action appearance as Bruce Wayne in the Arrowverse crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths on The CW.

Mark Hamill and Paul Dini remember Kevin Conroy

“Kevin was a brilliant actor,” said Mark Hamill, the voice of The Joker in Batman: The Animated series. “For several generations, he has been the definitive Batman. It was one of those perfect scenarios where they got the exact right guy for the exact right part, and the world was better for it. His rhythms and subtleties, tones and delivery – that all also helped inform my performance. He was the ideal partner – it was such a complementary, creative experience. I couldn’t have done it without him. He will always be my Batman.”

“Kevin brought a light with him everywhere whether in the recording booth giving it his all, or feeding first responders during 9/11, or making sure every fan who ever waited for him, ” added Paul Dini, producer of Batman: The Animated Series.

Kevin Conroy is survived by his husband Vaughn C. Williams, sister Trisha Conroy and brother Tom Conroy. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed.