It’s been 85 years since Detective Comics released the first edition of Batman, beginning the branching arcs of the well-loved superhero. Since the franchise’s creation, there have been many directors and actors who have brought the Caped Crusader’s story to life on the big screen.
Names like Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, Val Kilmer, and, most recently, Robert Pattinson in The Batman have taken on the hero’s title, but there are also plenty of other stars who have aided in those films’ tales.
Here’s a breakdown of 13 actors you may not remember for their roles in the various adaptations over the years.
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Chris O’Donnell
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Chris O’Donnell worked with two different actors for Batman, starring as Dick Greyson’s Robin in the Kilmer-led Batman Forever (1995) and the George Clooney-headed Batman & Robin (1997).
Cillian Murphy
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Cillian Murphy played the antagonist Dr. Jonathan Crane (aka Scarecrow) in Christopher Nolan’s take on the Batman franchise in Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012).
Morgan Freeman
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Another star in Nolan’s Batman trilogy, Morgan Freeman, gave life to Lucius Fox, the CEO of Wayne Enterprises and provider of some of the Caped Crusader’s gadgetry. Freeman appeared in Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012).
Liam Neeson
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PEOPLE cover star Liam Neeson initially appeared in Batman Begins (2005) as Henri Ducard, the crime lord who aided Batman in the development of his detective skills. He returned in The Dark Knight Rises (2012) as villain Ra’s Al Ghul, giving Nolan’s trilogy a surprising twist.
Jack Nicholson
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Jack Nicholson gave well-known villain the Joker an origin story as he transformed into the clown-faced enemy in Batman (1989).
Kim Basinger
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Kim Basinger appeared as Vicki Vale, Batman’s Lois Lane, in the Michael Keaton-led Batman (1989).
Gary Oldman
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Gary Oldman appeared as the Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department Jim Gordan in Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012).
Arnold Schwarzenegger
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Taking on the role of Mr. Freeze, Arnold Schwarzenegger worked alongside other DC villains in Batman & Robin (1997).
Alicia Silverstone
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Alicia Silverstone tackled the role of Barbara Wilson’s Batgirl in Batman & Robin (1997).
Uma Thurman
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Working alongside Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze, Uma Thurman played Poison Ivy in Batman & Robin (1997) — a movie she’s admitted is “for children.”
Nicole Kidman
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Nicole Kidman introduced a new character into the Batman canon with Dr. Chase Meridian, a psychologist working with the Gotham City Police Department in Batman Forever (1995).
Drew Barrymore
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Drew Barrymore had a minor role in Batman Forever (1995), appearing as Sugar, one of Two-Faced’s lovers who appealed specifically to his good side.
Danny DeVito
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Danny DeVito joined the DC universe when he took on the role of the Penguin in Batman Returns (1992).
