Over the years, many talented actresses have brought Batgirl to life on screen, each adding their unique flair to this beloved DC character.
From Yvonne Craig’s groundbreaking portrayal in the 1960s Batman television series to more recent interpretations, Batgirl has evolved while maintaining her core identity as a smart, capable hero.
The most iconic Batgirl actress remains Yvonne Joyce Craig, who first defined the role as Barbara Gordon in the classic Batman TV show and set the standard for all future portrayals.
When you look at the history of Batgirl performances, you’ll find a fascinating range of approaches across both live-action and animated versions. Some actresses focused on Barbara Gordon’s intelligence and detective skills, while others emphasized her athletic prowess and fighting abilities.
The character has appeared in various forms of media, with at least ten different actresses taking on the role over time.
Remember when you first saw a Batgirl performance that captivated you? Whether it was Alicia Silverstone’s turn in Batman & Robin or one of the many voice actresses who brought her to life in animated form, each interpretation offers something unique.
The unreleased film starring Leslie Grace shows that even today, filmmakers continue to find new dimensions in this character that has inspired fans for generations.
Yvonne Craig – Batman (1960s TV Series)
When you think of the first live-action Batgirl, Yvonne Craig immediately comes to mind! Born on May 16, 1937, Craig made history when she joined the iconic 1960s “Batman” television series in its third and final season in 1967.
Before donning the purple and yellow batsuit, Craig was actually a trained ballet dancer. She was so talented that she was accepted into the prestigious Denham’s Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo as a teenager before eventually turning to acting.
As librarian Barbara Gordon by day and crime-fighter Batgirl by night, Craig brought a perfect blend of intelligence and athleticism to the role. You might remember her famous catchphrase as she would dramatically arrive on her purple motorcycle just in time to help Batman and Robin!
Craig performed many of her own stunts, throwing punches and kicks alongside Adam West and Burt Ward as the dynamic duo. Her fighting scenes were full of the show’s signature “kapowing” and “zzonking” sound effects that made the series so fun to watch.
What made Craig’s Batgirl special was that she represented the first superheroine on TV, opening doors for future female crime fighters in television and film. Her groundbreaking role continues to influence how Batgirl is portrayed today.
Craig passed away in 2015 at age 78, but her legacy as the original Batgirl lives on in Batman history and in the hearts of fans who grew up watching her swing into action!
Alicia Silverstone – Batman & Robin (1997)
In 1997, you might remember Alicia Silverstone stepped into the iconic role of Batgirl in the film Batman & Robin. Fresh off her breakout success in Clueless, Silverstone portrayed Barbara Wilson, a unique twist on the character who was written as Alfred Pennyworth’s niece rather than Commissioner Gordon’s daughter.
At just 21 years old, Silverstone joined George Clooney and Chris O’Donnell as part of the caped crusader team. Her character was introduced later in the film, eventually donning the Batgirl costume to help the dynamic duo battle Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy.
Unfortunately, Silverstone faced significant challenges during her Batgirl experience. She was cruelly nicknamed “Fatgirl” and body-shamed during the press tour for the film. This treatment highlighted the intense scrutiny young actresses faced in Hollywood during the 1990s.
Despite the film’s poor reception, Silverstone’s Batgirl remains a notable entry in Batman film history. The character had several memorable moments, including her discovery of the Batcave and interaction with a virtual Alfred.
After Batman & Robin, Silverstone continued her acting career across film, television, and stage. She even received a Golden Globe nomination for the NBC series Miss Match in 2003, proving her talents extended well beyond her brief stint as Gotham’s female defender.
Leslie Grace – Batgirl (Unreleased 2022 HBO Max Film)
In 2022, you might have been excited to see Leslie Grace don the cape and cowl as Barbara Gordon in the highly anticipated Batgirl movie. The “In The Heights” actress was cast as the titular superhero for HBO Max’s exclusive DC film.
Grace spent months filming overseas, pouring her heart into bringing this iconic character to life. She was set to join an impressive cast that included:
- J.K. Simmons (Commissioner Gordon)
- Michael Keaton (Batman)
- Brendan Fraser (Villain)
- Jacob Scipio
- Ivory Aquino
Despite being nearly complete with a $90 million budget, Warner Bros. made the shocking decision to shelve the film entirely in August 2022. You’ll never get to see this version of Batgirl, as it won’t be released in theaters or on HBO Max.
The film was directed by the duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, with a screenplay by Christina Hodson. This would have been Grace’s big superhero debut, potentially launching her into DC stardom.
In interviews before the cancellation, Grace expressed enthusiasm about playing Barbara Gordon, making the shelving even more disappointing for fans. You might wonder what could have been if this film had made it to your screens!
The cancellation represented one of the most expensive unreleased projects in recent Hollywood history, leaving you and other fans only able to imagine what Grace’s interpretation of the beloved vigilante would have looked like.
Tara Strong – Batman: The Animated Series, Arkham Games
When you think of iconic Batgirl voices, Tara Strong stands out as one of the most beloved performers to bring Barbara Gordon to life. Born February 12, 1973, this Canadian-American voice actress took over the Batgirl role in The New Batman Adventures after Melissa Gilbert’s departure from the original series.
Strong’s distinctive voice gave Barbara Gordon a perfect blend of intelligence, wit, and youthful energy. You might remember her performances in several Batman animated projects including Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman and Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.
Her talent didn’t stop with the animated series! Tara brought Batgirl to the gaming world too, voicing the character in popular video games like Batman: Vengeance and Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu.
What makes Strong so impressive is her incredible voice acting range. While voicing Batgirl, she was simultaneously working on other iconic characters including:
- Bubbles in The Powerpuff Girls
- Timmy Turner in The Fairly OddParents
- Raven in Teen Titans
You might also recognize her as Vicky Vale in The Batman vs. Dracula, showing her versatility within the Batman universe.
Tara’s performance as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl helped establish the character as smart, capable, and independent – traits you still associate with Batgirl today. Her work continues to influence how you remember this beloved character from the animated DC universe.
Melissa Gilbert – Batman: The Animated Series (Early Episodes)
Before Batgirl became a staple in Gotham’s animated world, Melissa Gilbert voiced Barbara Gordon in the early episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. You might recognize Gilbert from her famous role in “Little House on the Prairie,” where she captured hearts across America.
Born on May 8, 1964, Gilbert brought Barbara Gordon to life from 1992 to 1994. Her distinctive voice helped establish the character’s smart and determined personality that fans came to love.
Gilbert appeared in several key episodes including:
- “Heart of Steel” as Barbara Gordon
- “I Am the Night” as Barbara Gordon
- “Shadow of the Bat” as Batgirl
You can hear the talent she brought to the role in these early appearances, setting the foundation for the character’s development. Gilbert’s Batgirl was intelligent and resourceful, qualities that would define the character for years to come.
Did you know her work on the series put her alongside voice acting legends like Kevin Conroy (Batman) and Mark Hamill (The Joker)? Her contributions to the Batman animated universe were significant, even though her time as Barbara was relatively brief.
When the series evolved into “The New Batman Adventures,” Tara Strong took over the role. But many fans still fondly remember Gilbert’s original take on Barbara Gordon/Batgirl that helped establish the character in this iconic animated universe.
Mae Whitman – DC Super Hero Girls, The Lego Batman Movie
Mae Whitman has brought Batgirl to life with her distinctive voice acting talents in several DC animated projects. You might recognize her voice as Batgirl in DC Super Hero Girls, where she perfectly captures Barbara Gordon’s enthusiastic and intelligent character.
Born on June 9, 1988, Whitman began her career as a child actor before becoming a respected voice talent. In the DC universe, she’s voiced not only Batgirl but also Speed Queen in DC Super Hero Girls: Intergalactic Games.
Did you know Whitman has voiced other DC characters too? She’s lent her talents to young Lois Lane in Superman and Wonder Girl in Young Justice!
In DC Super Hero Girls, you’ll love how Whitman brings a perfect blend of intelligence and determination to Barbara Gordon. The series shows Batgirl navigating both superhero duties and high school challenges alongside other iconic DC female characters.
Her vocal performance stands out with its youthful energy and clever delivery. When you hear her Batgirl, you immediately connect with the character’s problem-solving mindset and tech-savvy nature.
Whitman’s work helps make Batgirl relatable to young fans while still showcasing the character’s heroic qualities. Her performance reminds you why Barbara Gordon remains one of DC’s most beloved characters!
Alyson Stoner – Young Justice
If you’re a fan of animated Batman adventures, you might recognize Alyson Stoner as the voice of Barbara Gordon/Batgirl in the popular series “Young Justice.” Their talented voice work brought the tech-savvy vigilante to life for a new generation of DC fans.
Stoner first appeared as Batgirl in Season 1, Episode 12 titled “Homefront,” where they also voiced the character Bette Kane. Their performance was so well-received that they continued voicing Batgirl throughout multiple seasons of the show.
Young Justice Episodes Featuring Stoner as Batgirl:
- Season 1, Episode 12: “Homefront”
- Season 2, Episode 1: “Happy New Year”
- Season 2, Episode 5: “Beneath”
- Season 2, Episode 15: “War”
What you might find particularly interesting is how Stoner’s voice acting captured Barbara’s evolution in the series. As the character progressed from Batgirl to Oracle, Stoner adapted their performance to reflect this significant character development.
Born on August 11, 1993, Stoner was already an accomplished performer by the time they joined Young Justice. You might remember them from Disney Channel programs or as the memorable pigtailed dancer in Missy Elliott’s music videos.
Their versatile voice acting skills have made them a favorite in animation circles. Beyond Young Justice, you can hear their voice talents in other popular animated series, making them one of the more recognizable voice actors of their generation.
Briana Cuoco – Harley Quinn (Animated Series)
Briana Cuoco brings Barbara Gordon/Batgirl to life in the adult animated series Harley Quinn. Born on November 29, 1988, in Ventura, California, she is the younger sister of actress Kaley Cuoco, who voices the show’s main character Harley Quinn.
When you watch the show, you’ll notice how Briana’s performance adds depth to Batgirl’s character. She portrays Barbara as a university student who later becomes a vigilante to help her father, Commissioner Gordon, fight crime in Gotham.
Beyond voicing Batgirl (who later becomes Oracle), Briana has taken on additional small roles in the series including:
- A girl in “Riddler U”
- A goth chick in “Batman’s Back Man”
- A hostess in “Inner (Para) Demons”
The sister relationship between Kaley and Briana Cuoco actually influenced the bond between Harley Quinn and Batgirl in the show, according to writer and producer Patrick Schumacker.
Briana has expressed interest in returning for more episodes, as she’s hoping for more Batgirl in Season 5 of Harley Quinn.
You might also recognize Briana from her other acting roles in The Flight Attendant (2020), Dead Boy Detectives (2024), and The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2012).
