15 Actors Perfect for the Role of Penguin in the DCU
Oswald Cobblepot sits at the center of Gotham City’s criminal networks, which means the performer needs a track record with crime stories, sharp character work, and ensemble play. The names here come from film and television where precision, transformation, and memorable supporting turns drive the story forward. The focus is on actors with proven histories in crime drama, prestige television, and comic book worlds where detail matters.
Fan communities have discussed many of these choices for years, and casting boards often group them with other Gotham regulars. Each entry lists concrete credits that map to organized crime plots, courtroom stakes, or political maneuvering, along with franchise experience that shows comfort inside stylized worlds. The result is a practical shortlist built around what these actors have already done on screen.
Toby Jones
Toby Jones portrayed Arnim Zola in ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ and voiced Dobby in the ‘Harry Potter’ series. He appeared in ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ with a performance grounded in espionage tension and played Lance in the BAFTA winning show ‘Detectorists’.
His television work includes ‘Marvellous’ and ‘The Secret Agent’, while film roles such as ‘Infamous’ and ‘Berberian Sound Studio’ highlight meticulous character choices. He regularly anchors ensembles that balance menace with calculation.
Alfred Molina
Alfred Molina voiced Mr Freeze in ‘Harley Quinn’ and Ares in the animated ‘Wonder Woman’, adding DC roles to a résumé that also features Doctor Octopus in the ‘Spider Man’ films. He has long standing stage and screen credentials that include ‘Frida’ and ‘Boogie Nights’.
His television slate features ‘Feud’ and ‘Angie Tribeca’, and he has appeared in prestige dramas such as ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and ‘Not Without My Daughter’. He combines genre familiarity with a deep catalogue of character parts.
Josh Gad
Josh Gad voiced Olaf in ‘Frozen’ and played LeFou in ‘Beauty and the Beast’. He joined the ensemble of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’, working inside a classic mystery setup with a large cast.
He has headlined series like ‘Avenue 5’ and performed on Broadway in ‘The Book of Mormon’. His credits show regular movement between comedy, thriller, and family adventure projects.
Paul Walter Hauser
Paul Walter Hauser starred in ‘Richard Jewell’ and earned major television awards for ‘Black Bird’. He first drew attention with ‘I, Tonya’ and expanded into action comedy with appearances in ‘Cobra Kai’.
His filmography also includes ‘Cruella’ and ‘Da 5 Bloods’, and he has voiced characters in animation projects while continuing dramatic work in limited series. He consistently takes roles built around interrogation scenes and pressure cooker stakes.
Stephen Graham
Stephen Graham portrayed Al Capone in ‘Boardwalk Empire’, anchoring mob storylines with period authenticity. He has memorable turns in ‘Snatch’ and ‘The Irishman’, and he led the single take drama ‘Boiling Point’.
His television work spans ‘Time’ and ‘Line of Duty’, and he appeared in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’. He often inhabits characters tied to turf control, loyalty tests, and criminal hierarchies.
Eddie Marsan
Eddie Marsan appeared in ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ as Inspector Lestrade. He played recurring roles in ‘Ray Donovan’ and joined comic book cinema with ‘Deadpool 2’.
His credits range from ‘Happy Go Lucky’ to ‘Hobbs & Shaw’, and he has taken on morally gray figures in both independent and studio films. He brings a long record of authoritative and adversarial characters.
Timothy Spall
Timothy Spall earned top festival recognition for ‘Mr Turner’ and portrayed Peter Pettigrew across the ‘Harry Potter’ series. He worked with Mike Leigh in multiple films and appeared in ‘Sweeney Todd’.
He has recent television credits in ‘The Sixth Commandment’ and ‘Magpie Murders’, and earlier turns in ‘Secrets and Lies’ and ‘All or Nothing’. His roles frequently emphasize distinctive cadence and calculated presence.
Nick Frost
Nick Frost headlined the Cornetto trilogy entries ‘Shaun of the Dead’, ‘Hot Fuzz’, and ‘The World’s End’. He appeared in ‘Tomb Raider’ and made guest appearances in ‘Doctor Who’.
He co created and starred in ‘Truth Seekers’ and worked alongside international ensembles in projects like ‘Paul’. His filmography blends genre humor with action and creature feature setups.
Jonah Hill
Jonah Hill received Academy Award nominations for ‘Moneyball’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. He led studio comedies such as ‘Superbad’ and ’21 Jump Street’ and directed the coming of age film ‘Mid90s’.
He has appeared in crime and thriller stories like ‘War Dogs’ and worked across auteur led projects with directors known for detail heavy scripts. Reports once linked him to early talks for a villain role in a modern Batman film.
Dan Fogler
Dan Fogler plays Jacob Kowalski in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series and joined ‘The Walking Dead’ as Luke. He won a Tony Award for ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’.
His film work includes ‘Take Me Home Tonight’ and ‘Good Luck Chuck’, and he has voice credits in animation. He moves between franchise worldbuilding, stage trained character beats, and ensemble driven drama.
Patton Oswalt
Patton Oswalt has extensive animation experience, including roles in ‘Teen Titans Go’ and ‘The Sandman’. He authored the DC one shot ‘JLA: Welcome to the Working Week’ and has contributed essays and commentary across comics media.
He headlined the series ‘A.P. Bio’ and ‘M.O.D.O.K.’ and made memorable guest appearances in ‘Parks and Recreation’. His résumé connects stand up, voice acting, and comics writing with studio genre projects.
Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander is widely known for ‘Seinfeld’ and has deep voice acting credits. He voices Sy Borgman in ‘Harley Quinn’, which places him directly inside Gotham adjacent storytelling.
His additional television and film work includes ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’, and Broadway productions. He brings a background in fast talking characters, negotiation scenes, and comedy timing within ensemble casts.
Michael Stuhlbarg
Michael Stuhlbarg portrayed Arnold Rothstein in ‘Boardwalk Empire’, shaping Prohibition era power plays. He appeared in ‘A Serious Man’, ‘The Shape of Water’, and ‘Call Me by Your Name’.
He joined comic book cinema as Nicodemus West in ‘Doctor Strange’ and has appeared in procedurals and prestige films that revolve around strategy and leverage. He often plays cerebral figures at the center of complex plots.
Peter Dinklage
Peter Dinklage is known for Tyrion Lannister in ‘Game of Thrones’ and for roles in ‘X Men: Days of Future Past’ and ‘Avengers: Infinity War’. He brings long experience with political maneuvering, courtroom scenes, and council chambers.
His filmography includes ‘Cyrano’ and ‘The Station Agent’, and he has worked in both independent dramas and blockbuster ensembles. He balances wit and gravity in environments that demand careful dialogue work.
Richard Kind
Richard Kind played Mayor Aubrey James in ‘Gotham’, which ties him directly to the city’s crime and politics. His career spans ‘Spin City’, ‘Mad About You’, and the voice of Bing Bong in ‘Inside Out’.
During the marketing cycle for ‘The Batman’, visual comparisons in press and fandom circles noted similarities between Colin Farrell’s Penguin prosthetics and Kind’s features. He continues to appear in film and television projects that feature municipal power and backroom dealmaking.
Share your own picks for a DCU Penguin in the comments and tell us which actor you think captures Gotham’s crime lord energy best.