Heath Ledger – The Joker, The Dark Knight

The Joker is one of the most iconic comic book villains of all time, with equally iconic performances by the likes of Cesar Romero in the 1960s TV series starring Adam West; Jack Nicholson in the 1989 Tim Burton film; and by Mark Hamill in the '90s animated series. Needless to say when Christopher Nolan teased the character’s return at the end of Batman Begins, fans were eagerly anticipating who would next take on the mantle of the Clown Prince of Crime. When fans realized it was Heath Ledger, they were less than pleased. To say he wasn’t a popular choice is an understatement, but his legacy in the role cannot be denied as he is arguably the definitive Joker of this generation.