<P> The Joker is a fictional character who appears in Christopher Nolan 's 2008 superhero film The Dark Knight . Based upon the DC Comics character of the same name , he was played by Australian actor Heath Ledger . A psychopathic mass murdererer with a sadistic sense of humor , the Joker 's arc follows his attempt to undermine the efforts of Batman ( Christian Bale ) , James Gordon ( Gary Oldman ) , and Harvey Dent ( Aaron Eckhart ) to rid Gotham City of crime . The character embodies themes of chaos , anarchy and obsession : throughout the film , he expresses a desire to upset social order through crime , and defines himself by his conflict with Batman . </P>
<P> The Joker is a fictional character who appears in Christopher Nolan 's 2008 superhero film The Dark Knight . Based upon the DC Comics character of the same name , he was played by Australian actor Heath Ledger . A psychopathic mass murdererer with a sadistic sense of humor , the Joker 's arc follows his attempt to undermine the efforts of Batman ( Christian Bale ) , James Gordon ( Gary Oldman ) , and Harvey Dent ( Aaron Eckhart ) to rid Gotham City of crime . The character embodies themes of chaos , anarchy and obsession : throughout the film , he expresses a desire to upset social order through crime , and defines himself by his conflict with Batman . </P>
who played the joker in the dark knoght
who played the joker in the dark knoght
Australian actor Heath Ledger
Australian actor Heath Ledger