In a case of life imitating a terrible nightmare, a Tennessee couple’s baby was delivered by a doctor dressed as Heath Ledger’s villainous Joker. Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for his performance, and the role has earned him an enduring legacy that can be seen each year on Halloween when fans sport the character’s likeness. In the 2008 movie The Dark Knight, Ledger’s take on the iconic comic book character became a worldwide phenomenon; the actor’s eccentric characterization separated his portrayal from other iterations of the Batman’s arch nemesis. Some of The Dark Knight’s most memorable scenes involve the Joker, not the least of which takes place in a hospital.
Halfway through The Dark Knight, the Joker (dressed as a nurse) confronts a hospitalized and badly burned Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). Following the interaction, the Joker exits the hospital and attempts to detonate a bomb behind him, but no explosion occurs. This was supposedly a technical error on set; the bomb was supposed to go off. With only one chance to get the shot, the character plays with the detonator until eventually the explosion does occur. The story behind this scene is one of the most discussed things about the movie, which makes today’s news all the more ironic.
According to parenting blog Little Things, Justin and Brittany Selph’s baby was supposed to be born on November 5; however, on Halloween morning, Oaklyn Saige was welcomed into the world by a face very familiar to comic fans. The couple’s obstetrician, Dr. Paul Locus, was dressed as the classic comic book character for Halloween, and Locus rushed to the hospital still in his costume. The Selphs joked about how they should dress Brittany up as Harley Quinn to make the encounter even more memorable. The doctor offered to change prior to the delivery, but Justin and Brittany decided that he should stay dressed up as Ledger’s character. “He came back in to check on her around 4:00 p.m. that afternoon,” said Justin Selph. “She again wasn’t ready. So, he said he was going home to pass out candy and change clothes. My wife said, ‘Aww, we would hope that you wouldn’t change.’”
Most couples would be reluctant to let the Joker deliver their baby, but Justin and Brittany Selph say that the doctor’s costume helped distract them from some of the more arduous aspects of delivery. The obstetrician even spoke in the Joker’s voice, to the couple’s delight. If their daughter Oaklyn turns out to be a comic book movie fan, she might one day appreciate the bizarre nature of her Halloween birth. Of course, she might also object to going viral on her first day on earth. To commemorate the once-in-a-lifetime occasion, Dr. Locus gave the couple a parting gift, a card signed “Dr. Joker.”
With the recent success of Todd Phillips’ Joker, fans have been comparing Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix’s respective Jokers. While Ledger’s Joker is always a popular Halloween costume, Dr. Locus is actually the exception this year. With Joker still in theaters, the new iteration of the character is one of the most popular Halloween costumes of 2019. But considering the remarkable nature of little Oaklyn’s birth, the good doctor’s costume may prove to be one of the most memorable Halloween costumes of the year.
MORE: Joker’s Staircase Dance Scene Is The Movie’s Defining Moment
Source: Little Things
