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The Penguin has appeared in various media since the 1960s. These have ranged from live-action films and television to animated features and video games. The following is a list of Penguin's various appearances in non-comic media and the actors who have portrayed him.
Live-Action[]
Television[]
Batman (60's TV Series)[]
Burgess Meredith as the Penguin
- See: The Penguin (Dozierverse) - played by Burgess Meredith
The Penguin appears as one of the main recurring villains on the 1960s Batman series, played by Burgess Meredith. He appears in 19 episodes during its run. Meredith's Penguin is heavily inspired by the Golden Age version of the character. Several staples of the character debuted in the series, such as a waddle-based walk and his birdlike laugh. One notable storyline includes Penguin running for Mayor, which has been integrated into almost every version since. Penguin also appears in 1966's Batman: The Movie as one of the four arch-criminals in United Underworld, alongside Joker, Catwoman and Riddler. He also appeared in the modern animated spinoffs Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders and Batman vs. Two-Face, voiced by William Salyers.
Gotham[]
Robin Lord Taylor as the Penguin
- See: The Penguin (Gotham) - played by Robin Lord Taylor
The Penguin is one of the main characters of Fox's Gotham series, played by Robin Lord Taylor. The series features him as a rising mobster in Gotham's underworld and a recurring ally/enemy of Jim Gordon. Penguin also has a rivalry with multiple other criminals, including Fish Mooney, Carmine Falcone, Theo and Tabitha Galavan, and Leslie Thompkins. The series also depicts him as gay, with him developing a love-hate relationship with the show's incarnation of Riddler. Taylor's performance as Penguin has often been praised, with some sources calling him the show's breakout character.
Film[]
Batman Returns[]
Danny DeVito as the Penguin
- See: The Penguin (Burtonverse) - played by Danny DeVito
In the 1992 film, Batman Returns, a darker version of the Penguin was depicted, emphasizing his deformity and more savage in nature. He suffers from Syndactyly and wears a pair of black vinyl gloves over his hands, making them resemble flippers. This has influenced numerous Penguin designs in comics and cartoons since the film's release. His characterization is somewhat amalgamated with Killer Croc, a former freakshow performer leading a circus gang from the Gotham Sewers.
The Batman Saga[]
- See: The Penguin (Reevesverse) - played by Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell as the Penguin
Penguin serves as one of the secondary villains of 2022's The Batman, played by Colin Farrell. The series depicts Penguin as a lieutenant in the Falcone Crime Syndicate, serving as the underboss to Carmine Falcone. Penguin comes into conflict with Robert Pattinson's Batman due to the vigilante's investigations into multiple operations he is involved in.
Farrell's Penguin will return in a titular miniseries. It is set to focus on his takeover of the syndicate whilst coming into conflict with other members, including Falcone's children Sofia and Alberto.
Animation[]
Television[]
The Batman/Superman Hour[]
Penguin appeared in a variety of episodes from The Batman/Superman Hour during its year long run (1968-1969). He appeared to a similar, classic, standard to what Burgess Meredith did in the Batman TV show (which ended shortly before that show aired). The Penguin was voiced by Ted Knight (who also voiced the Narrator, Commissioner Gordon, and the Riddler).
The New Adventures of Batman[]
Unsurprisingly, Penguin appeared in many episodes of the 16-episode run of The New Adventures of Batman. It also marked the first of few times that Penguin and Clayface appeared in the same episode of any Batman franchise (they appeared together in Have an Evil Day: Part 1 and 2). The Penguin lost his cigarette holder, but other than that, his animated model stayed mostly the same.
DC Animated Universe[]
Penguin in Batman: The Animated Series
- See: The Penguin (DC Animated Universe) - voiced by Paul Williams
The Penguin appears multiple set DCAU series, voiced by Paul Williams. In Batman: The Animated Series, Penguin is heavily inspired by the Bronze Age versions of the character, with him committing schemes involving birds and . However, the character's design is based on DeVito's Penguin, with the aim to draw comparison with Batman Returns. Some of his best known episodes in the series includes "Birds of a Feather", where he reforms and apparently wins the heart of Veronica Vreeland, and "Almost Got 'Im", where he debates with other supervillains about who has come the closest to killing Batman.
Penguin in The New Batman Adventures
Penguin also returns in The New Batman Adventures, where he is given a more comic-faithful appearance. The series also presents him as having become the crooked manager of the Iceberg Lounge, similar to his comic counterpart's role at the time. Penguin also features in the Superman: The Animated Series episode "Knight Time", where he is confronted by a disguised Superman and Robin on the location of the Mad Hatter.
The Batman (2004 series)[]
Penguin in 2004's The Batman series
- See: The Penguin (Matsudaverse) - voiced by Tom Kenny
Penguin appears in 2004's The Batman, voiced by Tom Kenny. He is depicted as a member of the disgraced Cobblepot family and a recurring enemy for Batman. Penguin is often assisted by the Kabuki Twins and schemes often involve jewels or birds.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold[]
The Penguin in Batman: The Brave and the Bold
- See: The Penguin (The Brave and the Bold) - voiced by Stephen Root
Penguin appeared in multiple Batman: The Brave and the Bold episodes, voiced by Stephen Root. In "Legends of the Dark Mite!", he is one of many villains shown in Bat-Mite's imagination. Later, he appeared in "Inside the Outsiders!" in Black Lightning's dream. He also appeared in "Aquaman's Outrageous Adventure".
Beware the Batman[]
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"Penguin Man" poster from Beware the Batman
A poster featuring the Penguin appears in the Beware the Batman episode "Animal". Rumors of a "Penguin Man" are also discussed in "Epitaph". Penguin is also mentioned to have been identified in a headline at the end of the episode, suggesting he has been arrested by the GCPD.
Harley Quinn (TV series)[]
The Penguin features in the first two seasons of Harley Quinn, voiced by Wayne Knight. He is depicted as one of Gotham's leading supervillains and an occasional enemy to Harley Quinn and her crew. Penguin is both a member of the Legion of Doom and, later, the Injustice League.
Batman: Caped Crusader[]
The Penguin from Batman: Caped Cruaser
A gender-flipped version of Penguin appears in the Caped Crudaser episode "In Treacherous Waters", voiced by Minnie Driver. She is depicted as an opera singer and rival to Rupert Thorne.
Film[]
- The Penguin appears as one of the main villains of the DCAU set Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, voiced by David Ogden Stiers due to Paul Williams being unavailable. The film sees him enter an alliance with Rupert Thorne and Carlton Duquesne, leading them to be targeted by the titular character.
- The Matsudaverse Penguin appears in The Batman vs. Dracula, with Kenny reprising his role. Whilst searching for hidden treasure, he falls under the hypnosis of Dracula and helps him in his schemes to resurrect his bride.
- Penguin appears in The Lego Batman Movie as one of the many Batman villains assembled by the Joker, voiced by John Venzon. His design is based off of DeVito's version of the character.
Video Games[]
Batman Games[]
Media-Based Games[]
- The Burtonverse version of Penguin appears in various tie-in games to Batman Returns, often serving as the final boss.
- The DCAU Penguin appears in tie-in games to Batman: The Animated Series, notably The Adventures of Batman & Robin: The Video Game.
LEGO Video Games[]
The Penguin in LEGO Batman: The Videogame
The Penguin appears in a variety of LEGO video games developed by Traveller's Tales. In LEGO Batman: The Videogame, he serves as one of the leaders of the escaped villains, with him masterminding a scheme to take over Gotham with an army of penguins. Penguin returns in all following games, though in a diminished role. In LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, he is one of the villains that helps Joker crash the Man of the Year event and is later one of the escapees from Arkham Asylum. He also appears in a side quest in LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham and a member of the Legion of Doom in LEGO DC Super-Villains.
Arkham Games[]
The Penguin in promotional material for Batman: Arkham City
The Penguin appears frequently throughout the Arkham series, voiced by Nolan North. First appearing in Batman: Arkham City, he is depicted as one of the supervillains and in a power-struggle with the Joker and Two-Face. He comes into conflict with Batman due his possession of Mr. Freeze and undercover GCPD Officers. In Batman: Arkham Origins, a younger version of Penguin appears, now in a power struggle with Carmine Falcone and operating out of a disused ship called The Final Offer. He also appears in the game's Cold, Cold, Heart DLC, working with Mr. Freeze to attack GothCorp's laboratories. In Batman: Arkham Knight, Penguin is a member of the alliance of super-criminals assembled by Scarecrow and the Arkham Knight. He uses the chaos to aid his gunrunning operations, bringing him into conflict with Batman and Nightwing. Penguin returns in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League as an ally of the titular team.
Batman: The Telltale Series[]
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The Penguin in Batman: The Telltale Series
The Penguin appears as one of the secondary antagonists of Batman: The Telltale Series, voiced by Jason Spisak. The game reimagines him as the childhood friend of Bruce Wayne, who was forced into a life of crime by his mother's commitment to Arkham Asylum and father's apparent suicide. Penguin serves as a member of the Children of Arkham, using their help to take over Wayne Enterprises and aid their operations.
Gotham Knights[]
Other Video Games[]
- Penguin appears in Batman: The Caped Crusader as one of the principle villains.
- Penguin appears in the MMORPG DC Universe Online, voiced by David Jennison.
- The Arkhamverse Penguin briefly appears in Injustice: Gods Among Us as part of its Arkham Asylum's stage transition.
- Penguin was set to appear in Injustice 2 as a playable character, but was cut for unspecified reasons.