DAYS OF OUR LIVES Alum Arleen Sorkin Dead at 67
Veteran actress, screenwriter, presenter, and comedian Arleen Sorkin has died at the age of 67. Her death was confirmed by DC head James Gunn, who shared the sad news on Instagram, writing: “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.”
Although perhaps best known for being the inspiration and voice behind the animated Batman villain Harley Quinn in multiple television series and movies, soap fans remember Sorkin best as the eccentric Calliope Jones on DAYS OF OUR LIVES. She received Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1988 and 1989 for her work on the NBC soap.
Sorkin debuted as the character back in 1984 and Calliope had several wild adventures in Salem until her departure in 1990 including getting wrapped up in Stefano’s search for the three prisms, discovering her beau had gone to the future and made an android replica of her, and co-hosting a daytime talk show with Jennifer Horton. Although the actress wrapped her initial run on the soap in 1990, she made appearances in 1992, 2006, and 2010.
Sorkin’s career also included roles in TV series like THE NEW MIKE HAMMER, DUET, OPEN HOUSE, and DREAM ON. She was also the original female co-host of the ABC series AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME PEOPLE, appearing from 1990-92.
Sorkin married television writer/producer Christopher Lloyd in 1995, and they have two sons together, Eli and Owen. Our thoughts are with her friends and family during this difficult time.
