How Jared Leto became the 12th man to play the Joker

Warner Bros.

Jared Leto steps into the shoes of the Clown Prince of Crime in this summer's "Suicide Squad," which dropped a new trailer on Tuesday.

Expectations run high, as the last actor to play the Joker, Heath Leger, won an Oscar for his performance in 2008's "The Dark Knight."

Leto will be the 12th actor to take on the role after three live appearances on television and film and multiple game and animated film adaptations featuring the talents of eight voice actors ranging from Troy Baker to "Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill.

In gearing up for "Suicide Squad," we're taking a look back at Leto's rise to fame.

Born December 26, 1971, Jared Leto grew up a nomad. His family lived in Haiti, a Colorado commune, his grandmother's house, and places in between.

Kevork Djansezian/AP

Source: The New York Times

They didn't have much. "My mother crawled out of the muddy banks of the Mississippi with my brother and I in one hand and a fistful of food stamps in the other," Leto jokes.

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Source: Interview Magazine

There were always instruments strewn about the house, however, including guitars, pianos, and bongo drums. As kids, the brothers made music with pots and pans.

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Source: NBC Latino

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