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One of the most defining aspects of Melissa Rauch’s The Big Bang Theory counterpart was her high-pitched voice. Moreover, her distinct voice helped her attain the role of Bernadette in the first place. But her stint in the acclaimed sitcom isn’t her lone gig that benefited from the actress’ shrill voice, as he also went on to nail Harley Quinn.
Melissa Rauch in The Big Bang Theory | Credit: CBSWhile the actress considers Quinn her dream role, there is another DC character that she’d excel at when it comes to voicing.
Similar to Harley Quinn, Silver Banshee Would Benefit From Melissa Rauch’s Voice
A still from Batman and Harley Quinn | Credit: Warner Bros. Home EntertainmentIn 2017, Melissa Rauch joined Bruce Timm to voice Harley Quinn in Batman and Harley Quinn, which saw the titular characters teaming up with Nightwing. Speaking of the role, Rauch expressed that “It’s a dream role”, as she admired the character and how she uses humor as one of her weapons.
As for her preparation for the gig, Rauch recalled that she used to speak exactly like Quinn, who has a high-pitched voice with a New York accent, thanks to her professors, as back in school, they ensured she perfected the accent.
I knew Harley had a higher pitched tone, and a bit of a New York accent — and I come from a New Jersey family where everyone could be former gun molls. So I wanted to give a nod to my background without being as shrill. In all honesty, I used to speak exactly like that — my acting school professors really worked the accent out of me. So it was fun to find those tones and accent again.
But Harley isn’t the lone DC role that she’d excel at voicing, as her shrill voice also fits the bill for Silver Banshee. Introduced post-New 52, Siobhan Smythe’s Silver Banshee is notable for her highly lethal super-sonic scream and serves as a major foe to Supergirl.
Silver Banshee | Credit: DC Comics Considering Milly Alcock‘s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is lined up for a release in 2026, if James Gunn does consider incorporating Silver Banshee into the mix, Rauch could be one potential choice.
Bernadette Owes Her Iconic High-Pitched Tone to Melissa Rauch’s Mother
Melissa Rauch in The Big Bang Theory | Credit: CBSSpeaking of her audition for TBBT, Melissa Rauch recalled being initially nervous, as she was one of the many actors that were competing for the part. Just before the screen test, Rauch recalled speaking to her mother, whose voice served as the inspiration for Bernadette’s iconic high-pitched tone.
I just wanted to try something different and I just been on the phone with my mother whose register is very close to Bernadette’s. And there was little bit like my mother in Bernadette. They’re not by any means very similar, but there was just in the side that I was auditioning with that day in that material there… there’s some characteristics that just reminded me of my mother. So I sorta did a little bit of an imitation of my mom without the Jersey accent.
It’s hard to imagine Bernadette without her shrill voice, whose inclusion as a regular in season 4 only amplified the sitcom.
The Big Bang Theory is available to stream on Max.
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