Arleen Sorkin

Arleen Frances Sorkin (October 14, 1955 – August 24, 2023) was an American actress, screenwriter, television presenter and comedian. Sorkin is known for portraying Calliope Jones on the NBC daytime serial Days of Our Lives and for serving as the real-life inspiration and voice for DC Comics character Harley Quinn, co-created by her friend Paul Dini on Batman: The Animated Series. Early life, family and education Arleen Frances Sorkin was born in Washington, D.C., on October 14, 1955, to Irving and Joyce Sorkin. Her father was a dentist who dreamed of being involved in the entertainment industry, finally earning a producing credit in 2004 for Something the Lord Made. Sorkin had two brothers, Arthur and Robert. Her family is Jewish. Career Sorkin began her career in cabaret in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a member of the comedy group The High-Heeled Women, alongside Mary Fulham, Tracey Berg, and Cassandra Danz. One of her more prominent roles was the wacky but lovable Calliope Jones, as seen on Days of Our Lives. She played this part from 1984 to 1990 and made return visits in 1992 and 2001. She reprised her role on the soap for the fourth time on February 24, 2006. She returned to Days for a limited run beginning on May 5, 2010.