<Tr> <Th> Created by </Th> <Td> Christopher Nolan David S. Goyer </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Portrayed by </Th> <Td> Heath Ledger </Td> </Tr> <P> The Joker is a fictional supervillain from American comic book publisher DC Comics and the main antagonist in Christopher Nolan's 2008 superhero film The Dark Knight . He was portrayed by late Australian actor Heath Ledger . Ledger's interpretation of the character is specifically influenced by the graphic novels Batman: The Killing Joke and Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth . In the film, he wears the character's traditional color palette, while his facial appearance includes clown makeup that covers facial scars of a Glasgow smile . </P> <P> The film's interpretation of the Joker embodies themes of chaos, anarchy and obsession: Throughout the film, the character expresses a desire to upset social order through crime, and defines himself by his conflict with Batman . The character also explores techniques found in Ledger's previous performances, including his clown act in Terry Gilliam's fantasy film The Brothers Grimm . Further, it references paintings by artist Francis Bacon, Anthony Burgess' novel A Clockwork Orange and various punk rock musicians . </P>

Who played the role of joker in batman dark knight