At Your Service, Master Bruce
By far one of if not the greatest butlers in all of fiction, Alfred Pennyworth has stood alongside Bruce Wayne as both a father figure and ally in his crusade as the Dark Knight. Whether he’s offering wise words or stitching up new wounds, it’s fair to say that without this beloved steward there would be no Batman.
The gentleman’s gentleman has appeared many times on the big screen over the years, but in this instance we’re going to be focusing on the actors that managed to bring Alfred to life in both animation and video games. No matter the villain or mystery, these particular versions of DC’s most iconic butler still stood tall right alongside their respective Caped Crusader.
Fair warning, there are SPOILERS AHEAD!
#3: Alistair Duncan
“The Batman” (2004-08)
While still tending to his master’s injuries and serving as the poshest of getaway drivers, what really stands out about Duncan’s Alfred is just how outspoken he is. With the series chronicling the early days of Batman’s crime-fighting career, his butler has yet to numb himself to the dangers his young master faces each night. He argues, disputes and almost walks out at points, but always comes back to aid Bruce because of the promise he made to him after he lost his parents. There’s a great sense of realism to these interactions, emphasising how all he wants is to see his young master find happiness. Oh, and his sarcasm never fails to earn a laugh.
#2: Enn Reitel
“Batman: The Telltale Series” (2016-)
Much like how this game reinvented the Batman mythos, they also drastically changed elements of Alfred’s backstory, and we have to admit we think from an emotional standpoint it was a rousing success. His ties to the Wayne family’s shady dealings, his regret and sorrow regarding Bruce’s decision to become Batman, it all places a much greater emphasis placed on the father-son aspect between the two. We won’t deny that their interactions during the final episode of the first season definitely choked us up…
#1:Â Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
“Batman: The Animated Series/The New Batman Adventures” (1992-95; 1997-99)
Much like how Kevin Conroy will forever be the voice of Batman, whenever we think of Alfred Pennyworth, this is who we picture. The very ideal of the perfect butler, Zimbalist Jr’s portrayal not only had all the sass and dry humor we could want, but was also extremely poignant when it came to those rare parental moments shared between himself and Bruce. It was an oddly nuanced performance that severed as yet another building block for this incredible show. Thank you for everything, old chum.
Be sure to check out the video below to see where Alfred ranked in our picks for the Top 10 Butlers from TV and Film!
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