Joker actors.

I would say:

1. Heath Ledger
2. Mark Hamill (voice)
3. Joaquin Phoenix
4. Jack Nicholson

Far, far away Jared Leto.

I didn't like that much the new movie and I'm not even a fan of DC although I have always watched most of these films through the years, I enjoyed a lot Batman films in VHS back in the '90s I think =P so my most beautiful memories dates back to Tim Burton's film and it was really great! I remember the '60s Batman movie too, it was great but I watched it some 20 years ago =P I didn't particularly like Phoenix as I said and Ledger too, but Suicide Squad above all sucked xD

Leto was fantastic. What he did with what he had is not to be frowned upon. Unfortunately, he never had and never will have a chance. Neither him or his version of the character, which really wasn't bad. It was actually very interesting. The one movie he was in, though. That was the main problem.

Heath Ledger
Jack Nicholson
Jared Leto (not his fault his joker was terrible, he did his work and studied the character but producers destroyed it with the whole film)
Joaquin Phoenix
Cesar Romero

I like how Leto thought he was THE new joker and nobody gave a shit.

I don't have anything against Leto since I think the vision of that Joker was made by the film's director, and the actor only respected his demands.

Angelina Jolie.
Wait, Maleficient ISN'T a Joker movie??

But in all seriousness, the only 3 movies with the Joker I've seen are The Dark Knight, Suicide Squad and The Joker.
And I feel they all had a completely different take on the character.

Heath Ledger's was more calculated, charismatic, and in control.
Jared Leto's was more crazy.
Joaquin Phoenix's was more relatable from a societal standpoint and felt more vulnerable.

And mostly I think that all of them fit respectively in the narrative they were made for. I don't think Phoenix's Joker would have fit well in The Dark Knight, nor Ledger's in Suicide Squad.

I just find it refreshing to have many renditions of a same character without having them feel as mere reboots of previous versions.

While I refuse to choose between Phoenix's and Ledger's performance (both were equally brilliant), Nolan's movie was so awfully boring (as most of his films), basically just a ponderous superhero movie, therefore I enjoyed Phoenix's version so much more.

Mark Hammil was the voice actor in the Arkham games right? Well, my favorite Joker was the one from Arkham Origins, I liked the idea of a character that didn't care about anything until he meets Batman and then decides to dedicate himself to breaking the bat at a moral level.
Second goes for Jack Nicholson, only movie that bothered to try with the wacky side of the character.

I think everyone here agrees that Jared Leto should be forgotten. But you forgot the actor that plays The Joker in the tv series "Gotham": Cameron Monaghan I think he is quite good. Maybe not as good as Heath Ledger but a second or third place.

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Probably something like:

1. Heath Ledger
2. Joaquin Phoenix
3. Mark Hamill
4. Jack Nickolson
5. Cameron Monaghan (Gotham)

But to be honest, you could switch at least any of the first 3 and I'd still be okay with it. I'm not even entirely sure where to put the Gotham Joker. Basicly every Jokes is unique and great in some different way. For example, Jack Nickolsons Joker is more of a silly but dangerous gang boss, whereas Phoenix plays a psychologically sick and twisted man. What I'm trying to say is, that choosing the best is basicly impossible.

I actually liked Jared Leto's Joker, conceptually. He didn't get enough screen time in a movie that didn't have any plot development, so I can't really judge him. I'd have liked to see more of him to see if he was any good. But he certainly looked like what the Joker might have looked like in a darker alternative-modern world

And I really disliked Heath Ledger's protrayal. Yes, he got the crazy person down, and did a wonderful job as an actor, but, why is he the joker? there's nothing funny about him. Get rid of the makeup, and his portrayal has nothing to do with the Joker. Everyone else's portrayal, the even without makeup it's still the joker

I need to rewatch Joker, couldn't get into it the first time. So no judgment on Joaquin Phoenix for now

1- Mark Hammill
2- Ceasar Romero (edge because the whole series was camp, whereas Jack Nicholson's joker was camp in a more realistic world)
3- Jack Nicholson (I just can't imagine anyone taking his joker seriously, and he was in a serious movie)

Not enough screen time to judge - Jared Leto
Need to rewatch - Joaquin Phoenix

distant last - Heath Ledger which is too bad, because, they're good movies, he does a good job acting in those movies, but he doesn't feel like the joker

Mark Hamill will always be my #1. Too bad he didn't have the looks for live action. Heath Ledger was the best live action. I can't judge any of the others since it's been such a long time since I've seen the originals and haven't seen Joker yet. Jared Leto was pretty good but Heath was better.

Juaquin maybe not best Joker, but he show he's past and why he become Joker like no one else.
Yes, and Heath is best crazy Willian.)

I am assuming that most of you ranking Mark Hamil higher are of the younger generations ( I could be wrong). I'm not trying to take away from voice acting but personally I am partial to live action. In my opinion, Jack Nicolson truly made the Joker character back in the 80s. Heath ledger also revolutionized the character in the more modern and darker version of Batman. Jaret Letto could have been something great but I don't feel that his character was properly utilized and he wasn't afforded the opportunity to unlock the true potential of his character. I have yet to see the Joaquin Phoenix version of the Joker, its on my list but I'm not really a fan of his work. I will go into the film with an open mind. Ceasar Romero deserves honorable mention, he was the first joker. Television has evolved in many ways since then and its difficult to measure the character impacts through the different generations.

This thread is too edgy for me.

We all know Tommy Wiseau is the best Joker. /s

Heath Leger is the best joker ever to me.

Mark Hamill
Jack Nicholson
Caesar Romero
Jared Leto
Heath Ledger

Haven't seen the new film, nor I want to, frankly.

Jack Nicholson only and forever.
But to be honest, I barely care about Joker as a character. And I didn't really like any of DC movies released after 1990's so I eventually stopped caring about the franchise as a whole.