In the 1992 film Batman Returns, Danny DeVito played Penguin, with the role produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and directed by Tim Burton. DeVito's version was a physical, grotesque interpretation that became a defining portrayal for 1990s audiences. The film was released during the early era of Warner Bros. superhero movies and featured Penguin as a political manipulator in Gotham. Check Batman Returns box office data on Box Office Mojo. DeVito's Penguin remains one of the most recognizable live-action versions of the character.
Colin Farrell's Penguin in The Batman Universe
Colin Farrell portrayed Penguin in the 2022 film The Batman, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and directed by Matt Reeves. The film is set in a modern, grounded Gotham and presents Penguin as a ruthless nightclub owner and crime boss. Farrell's performance earned attention for its physicality and vocal delivery, and the role was widely discussed in reviews and industry coverage. Read Forbes coverage on Colin Farrell's Penguin role. The film grossed over $770 million worldwide and was one of the highest-grossing Batman adaptations.
Farrell's Penguin was designed with prosthetics and makeup by makeup artist Mike Marino and the DC Studios team, creating a distinct look compared to earlier versions. The character's arc in The Batman connects to broader Gotham corruption storylines involving Carmine Falcone and the Gotham City Police Department. The film is part of a planned universe that includes sequels and spinoffs under Warner Bros. and DC Studios. The Wrap analysis of Colin Farrell's Penguin character. The role positions Penguin as a central antagonist in Reeves' Batman franchise.
Penguin in Television and Animated Batman Projects
In the 1960s Batman television series, Burgess Meredith played Penguin, with the show produced by Greenway Productions and 20th Century Fox Television. Meredith's portrayal was campy and theatrical, matching the tone of the series that aired on ABC. The show introduced Penguin to a mass television audience and remains a classic adaptation of Batman villains. View the 1966 Batman series cast and details on IMDb. Meredith's Penguin is remembered for his exaggerated mannerisms and umbrella props.
In animated Batman series and films, Penguin has been voiced by multiple actors, including Paul Williams in Batman: The Animated Series and Tom Kenny in later DC animated projects. These productions are typically handled by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on networks and streaming platforms including Cartoon Network, HBO Max, and DC Universe.