List of cast members of The Simpsons

Four of the six main cast members attend a ceremony in 2009, left to right: Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Dan Castellaneta (Homer) and Julie Kavner (Marge).

The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom that includes six main voice actors, and numerous regular cast and recurring guest stars. The principal cast consists of Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer. Tress MacNeille, Pamela Hayden, Maggie Roswell, Russi Taylor, Marcia Wallace, Marcia Mitzman Gaven and Karl Wiedergott have appeared as supporting cast. Repeat guest cast members include Albert Brooks, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, Joe Mantegna and Kelsey Grammer.[1] With one exception, episode credits list only the voice actors, and not the characters they voice.

Both Fox and the production crew wanted to keep their identities secret during the early seasons and closed most of the recording sessions while refusing to publish photos of the recording artists.[2] The network eventually revealed which roles each actor performed in the episode "Old Money", because the producers said the voice actors should receive credit for their work.[3] Every main cast member has won an Emmy for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance. Shearer was the last cast member to win, receiving his first Emmy in 2014 for the episode "Four Regrettings and a Funeral."[4] Castellaneta has won four and Azaria has won three, while Kavner, Cartwright, Smith, Shearer, Wallace, Grammer, and guest star Jackie Mason have each won one.[5]

Regular cast

Background

Hank Azaria has been a part of the Simpsons regular voice cast since the second season.
Harry Shearer was the most recent principle cast member to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance.
Marcia Wallace appeared regularly as Mrs. Krabappel until her death in 2013.
Kelsey Grammer voices Sideshow Bob.
Jan Hooks plays Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon.
Maurice LaMarche has appeared in several minor roles.

Castellaneta and Kavner were asked to voice the lead roles of Homer and Marge Simpson as they were regular cast members of The Tracey Ullman Show on which The Simpsons shorts appeared.[6][7] Cartwright auditioned for the part of Lisa, but found that Lisa was simply described as the "middle child" and at the time did not have much personality. She then became more interested in the role of Bart, so Simpsons creator Matt Groening let her try out for that part instead, and upon hearing her read, he gave her the job on the spot.[8] Smith had initially been asked by casting director Bonita Pietila to audition for the role of Bart, but Pietila then realised that Smith's voice was too high,[9][10] Smith was given the role of Lisa instead, although she almost turned it down.[11] When the show was commissioned for a full half-hour series, Shearer joined the cast and performed multiple roles. Groening and Sam Simon asked Shearer to join the cast as they were fans of his radio show.[12] Azaria was only a guest actor in the first season, but became permanent in season 2.[13] He first appeared in "Some Enchanted Evening", re-recording Christopher Collins's lines as Moe Szyslak. As he joined later than the rest of the cast, Groening still considers Azaria the "new guy."[14]

Up until 1998, the six main actors were paid $30,000 per episode. In 1998 they were then involved in a pay dispute in which Fox threatened to replace them with new actors and went as far as preparing for casting of new voices. However, the issue was soon resolved and from 1998 to 2004, they were paid $125,000 per episode. In 2004, the voice actors intentionally skipped several table reads, demanding they be paid $360,000 per episode.[15] The strike was resolved a month later[16] and until 2008 they earned something between $250,000[17] and $360,000 per episode.[18] In 2008, production for the twentieth season was put on hold due to new contract negotiations with the voice actors, who wanted a "healthy bump" in salary to an amount close to $500,000 per episode.[18] The dispute was soon resolved, and the actors' salary was raised to $400,000 per episode.[19]

In 2011, Fox announced that, due to financial difficulties, they were unable to continue to produce The Simpsons under its current contract and that unless there were pay cuts, the show could end.[20] For the negotiations, the studio requested that the cast members accept a 45% cut of their salaries so that more seasons could be produced after season 23, or else that season would be the last.[21] In the end, the studio and the actors reached a deal, in which the actors would take a pay cut of 30%, down to just over $300,000 per episode, prolonging the show to its 25th season.[22] As well as the actors, everybody involved in the show took a pay cut.[23]

Main cast

Actor Character(s)
Dan Castellaneta[24] Homer Simpson Grampa Simpson
Krusty the Clown Barney Gumble
Groundskeeper Willie Mayor Quimby
Hans Moleman Sideshow Mel
Itchy Kodos
Gil Gunderson Squeaky Voiced Teen
Blue Haired Lawyer Rich Texan
Louie Bill
Arnie Pie Mr. Teeny
Yes Guy Scott Christian
Assistant Superintendent Leopold Rabbi Krustofski[A]
Charlie Gary
Santa's Little Helper[B] Frankie the Squealer
Julie Kavner[25] Marge Simpson Patty Bouvier
Selma Bouvier Jacqueline Bouvier
Nancy Cartwright[26] Bart Simpson Nelson Muntz
Todd Flanders Ralph Wiggum
Kearney Database
Wendell Borton Lewis
Maggie Simpson (occasionally)[27]
Yeardley Smith[28] Lisa Simpson Maggie Simpson (occasionally, in early episodes)[29]
Hank Azaria[30] Apu Nahasapeemapetilon Moe Szyslak
Chief Wiggum Comic Book Guy
Lou Carl Carlson
Dr. Nick Snake Jailbird
Professor Frink Kirk Van Houten
Luigi Risotto Bumblebee Man
Captain Horatio McCallister Superintendent Chalmers
Cletus Spuckler Disco Stu
Duffman Crazy Old Man
Drederick Tatum Legs
Wiseguy Akira
Doug Johnny Tightlips
Harry Shearer[31] Mr. Burns Waylon Smithers
Ned Flanders Principal Skinner
Otto Mann Lenny Leonard
Reverend Lovejoy Dr. Hibbert
Kent Brockman Jasper Beardley
Eddie Rainier Wolfcastle
Scratchy Marty
Dr. Marvin Monroe Kang
Herman Dewey Largo
Judge Snyder Sanjay Nahasapeemapetilon
Benjamin Jebediah Springfield
God

Other regular cast

Actor Character(s)
Tress MacNeille[32] Agnes Skinner Lindsey Naegle
Brandine Spuckler Cookie Kwan
Crazy Cat Lady Bernice Hibbert
Dolph Starbeam Mrs. Glick
Poor Violet Lunchlady Doris[C]
Ms. Albright Brunella Pommelhorst
Pamela Hayden[33] Milhouse Van Houten Rod Flanders
Jimbo Jones Janey Powell
Sarah Wiggum Malibu Stacy
Patches Ruth Powers
Wendell Borton Lewis
Richard Lois Pennycandy
Maggie Roswell[34][E] Maude Flanders Helen Lovejoy
Elizabeth Hoover Luann Van Houten
Princess Kashmir Mary Bailey
Russi Taylor[34] Martin Prince Üter Zörker
Sherri and Terri Wendell Borton
Lewis
Karl Wiedergott[34] Legs
Marcia Wallace[35] Mrs. Krabappel
Chris Edgerly[36][37] Various characters

Recurring guest voices

Actor Character(s) Notes
Kelsey Grammer Sideshow Bob[38] Grammer has appeared since 1990.[38]
Joe Mantegna Fat Tony[39] Mantegna has appeared since 1991.[39]
Albert Brooks Hank Scorpio, Jacques "Brunswick", Cowboy Bob, Brad Goodman, Tab Spangler[40] Brooks has appeared as one-time characters in several episodes since 1990.[40]
Jon Lovitz Artie Ziff, Professor Lombardo, Aristotle Amadopoulos, Jay Sherman, Llewellyn Sinclair and Mrs. Sinclair, Enrico Irritazio[41] Lovitz has appeared in several episodes since 1991.[41]
Jan Hooks Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon[41] Hooks has appeared as Manjula since 1997.[41]
Maurice LaMarche Various minor characters[41] LaMarche has appeared in several minor roles since 1995.[41]
Jane Kaczmarek Judge Constance Harm[41] Kaczmarek has appeared as Judge Harm since 2001.[41]

Other cast members

Actor Character(s) Notes
Doris Grau Lunchlady Doris, other one-time roles[34] Grau was a member of the show's supporting cast and also worked as a script supervisor on the series.[42] Grau appeared from 1991 until 1997, with her final appearances airing after her death in 1995.[43][44]
Phil Hartman Troy McClure, Lionel Hutz, other one-time roles[38] Hartman made the most guest appearances on the show, voicing characters between 1991 and 1998. Following Hartman's death, McClure and Hutz were retired from the show.[45]
Frank Welker Santa's Little Helper, Snowball II and various other animals.[34] Made numerous guest appearances between 1991 and 2002. Dan Castellaneta now provides the voices after Welker left the show, having asked for a raise because the voices were hurting his throat.[46]
Marcia Mitzman Gaven Maude Flanders, Helen Lovejoy, Elizabeth Hoover[34] As part of the supporting cast, Gaven voiced the majority of Maggie Roswell's characters between 1999 and 2002, Roswell returned at the start of the season 14 and Gaven has not appeared since.[47]
Jo Ann Harris Various Voiced various additional parts as part of the supporting cast between 1989 and 1992, but has not appeared since.[48][49][50]
Christopher Collins Moe Syszlak, Mr. Burns, the presenter of America's Most Armed and Dangerous Collins provided the voices of Mr. Burns in several season one episodes, but was replaced in the role by Harry Shearer for an unexplained reason. He also recorded the original voice of Moe for "Some Enchanted Evening" but was overdubbed by Hank Azaria.[51] Collins died in 1994.[52]

Awards and nominations

Year Actor Award Category Role Episode Result Ref.
1992 Nancy Cartwright Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Bart Simpson "Separate Vocations" Won [53]
1992 Dan Castellaneta Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Homer Simpson "Lisa's Pony" Won [53]
1992 Julie Kavner Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Marge Simpson "I Married Marge" Won [53]
1992 Jackie Mason Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Rabbi Hyman Krustofski "Like Father, Like Clown" Won [53]
1992 Yeardley Smith Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Lisa Simpson "Lisa the Greek" Won [53]
1992 Marcia Wallace Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Edna Krabappel "Bart the Lover" Won [53]
1993 Dan Castellaneta Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Homer Simpson "Mr. Plow" Won [54]
1995 Nancy Cartwright Annie Award Voice Acting in the Field of Animation Bart Simpson "Radio Bart" Won [55]
1997 Maggie Roswell Annie Award Best Voice Acting by a Female Performer Shary Bobbins "Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious" Nominated [56]
1998 Hank Azaria Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Apu Nahasapeemapetilon Won [57]
2001 Hank Azaria Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Various "Worst Episode Ever" Won [58]
2003 Hank Azaria Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Various "Moe Baby Blues" Won [59]
2004 Dan Castellaneta Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Various Characters "Today I am A Clown" Won [60]
2006 Kelsey Grammer Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Sideshow Bob "The Italian Bob" Won [61]
2007 Julie Kavner Annie Award Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Marge Simpson The Simpsons Movie Nominated [62]
2009 Hank Azaria Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Moe Szyslak "Eeny Teeny Maya Moe" Nominated [63]
2009 Dan Castellaneta Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Homer Simpson "Father Knows Worst" Won [64]
2009 Harry Shearer Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Mr. Burns, Smithers,
Kent Brockman and Lenny		 "The Burns and the Bees" Nominated [63]
2010 Hank Azaria Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Moe Szyslak, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon "Moe Letter Blues" Nominated [65]
2010 Dan Castellaneta Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Homer Simpson, Grampa Simpson "Thursday with Abie" Nominated [65]
2011 Dan Castellaneta Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Homer Simpson, Barney Gumble, Krusty, Louie "Donnie Fatso" Nominated [66]
2012 Hank Azaria Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-over Performance Moe Szyslak, Duffman, Mexican Duffman, Carl, Comic Book Guy, Chief Wiggum "Moe Goes from Rags to Riches" Nominated [67]
2014 Harry Shearer Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance Kent Brockman, Mr. Burns, Smithers "Four Regrettings and a Funeral" Won [67]

Notes

References

General
  • Gimple, Scott M.; Matt Groening (December 1, 1999). The Simpsons Forever!: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family ...Continued. HarperCollins. pp. 86–87. ISBN 978-0-06-098763-3.
  • Groening, Matt (1997). Richmond, Ray; Coffman, Antonia, eds. The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family (1st ed.). New York: HarperPerennial. ISBN 978-0-06-095252-5. LCCN 98141857. OCLC 37796735. OL 433519M.
  • McCann, Jesse L.; Matt Groening (2002). The Simpsons Beyond Forever!: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family ...Still Continued. Harper Collins Publishers. pp. 116–117. ISBN 0-06-050592-3.
  • McCann, Jesse L.; Matt Groening (2005). The Simpsons One Step Beyond Forever!: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family ...Continued Yet Again. HarperCollins. pp. 118–119. ISBN 0-06-081754-2.
  • Bates, James W.; Gimple, Scott M.; McCann, Jesse L., Richmond, Ray; Seghers, Christine, ed. (2010). Simpsons World The Ultimate Episode Guide: Seasons 1–20 (1st ed.). Harper Collins Publishers. pp. 1096–1119. ISBN 978-0-00-738815-8.
Specific
  1. ↑ Finley, Adam (2006-06-20). "The Five: Great Simpsons guest stars". TV Squad. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  2. ↑ Groening, Matt; James L. Brooks, David Silverman (2001). The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  3. ↑ Groening, Matt; Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky, Al Jean, David Silverman (2002). The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Old Money" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  4. ↑ "Ever Sardonic Harry Shearer On ‘Impeccable’ Timing Of First Emmy Win". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
  5. ↑ "Primetime Emmy Awards Advanced Search". Emmys.org. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
  6. ↑ "The Voice Behind Homer Simpson Steps into the Spotlight and...D'oh!". Barnes & Noble. 2002-04-25. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  7. ↑ Lee, Luaine (2003-02-27). "D'oh, you're the voice". The Age. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
  8. ↑ "Bart's voice tells all". BBC News. 2000-11-10. Retrieved 2007-05-16.
  9. ↑ Carroll, Larry (2008-10-26). "'Simpsons' Trivia, From Swearing Lisa To 'Burns-Sexual' Smithers". MTV. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
  10. ↑ Miranda, Charles (2007-12-08). "She who laughs last". The Daily Telegraph. p. 8E.
  11. ↑ Heidi Vogt (2004-04-04). "She’s happy as Lisa Simpson, although she’d like more d’oh". The Spokesman-Review (Associated Press).
  12. ↑ "Harry Shearer". Listen to Me. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  13. ↑ Azaria, Hank (2004-12-06). Fresh Air. Interview with Terry Gross. National Public Radio. WHYY-FM. Philadelphia. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
  14. ↑ Groening, Matt (2001). The Simpsons The Complete First Season DVD commentary for the episode "Some Enchanted Evening" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  15. ↑ Dan Glaister (2004-04-03). "Simpsons actors demand bigger share". The Age. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  16. ↑ "'Simpsons' Cast Goes Back To Work". CBS News. 2004-05-01. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  17. ↑ Peter Sheridan (2004-05-06). "Meet the Simpsons". Daily Express.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Michael Schneider (2008-05-19). "Still no deal for 'Simpsons' cast". Variety. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
  19. ↑ Nellie Andreeva (2008-06-02). "'Simpsons' voice actors reach deal". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  20. ↑ News.com.au (2011-10-05). "Take a pay cut or the show is over, The Simpsons execs tell series' stars". news.com.au. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  21. ↑ Snierson, Dan (October 4, 2011). "'Simpsons' studio says show cannot continue without cutting costs". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  22. ↑ Block, Alex Ben (October 7, 2011). "'The Simpsons' Renewed for Two More Seasons". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  23. ↑ Schneider, Michael (October 11, 2011). "The Simpsons Executive Producer Al Jean on How the Show Was Saved". TV Guide. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  24. ↑ Bates et al., pp. 1096–1099
  25. ↑ Bates et al., p. 1099
  26. ↑ Bates et al., pp. 1099–1100
  27. ↑ Brooks, James L.; Cartwright, Nancy; Groening, Matt; Jean, Al; Moore, Rich. (2003). Commentary for "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", in The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  28. ↑ Bates et al., p. 1100
  29. ↑ Smith, Yeardley (2007). Audio commentary for The Simpsons Movie (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  30. ↑ Bates et al., pp. 1100–1004
  31. ↑ Bates et al., pp. 1105–1007
  32. ↑ Bates et al., pp. 1108–1111
  33. ↑ Bates et al., pp. 1107–1008
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 34.5 Bates et al., p. 1111
  35. ↑ Breznican, Anthony (2013-10-26). "Marcia Wallace, actress from 'The Simpsons' and 'The Bob Newhart Show', dies at 70". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2013-10-26.
  36. ↑ "Chris Edgerly: Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
  37. ↑ "Cid Highwind Speaks! An Interview with Chris Edgerly". The Gaming Liberty. 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Bates et al., p. 1114
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 Bates et al., p. 1116
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Bates et al., p. 1112
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 41.4 41.5 41.6 41.7 Bates et al., p. 1115
  42. ↑ Cuprisin, Tim (1996-01-09). "'Gold rush' victory – Packers score big ratings for WITI Nielsen ratings show that much of the region was tuned in". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 3.
  43. ↑ Dean Robinson (1996-01-08). "TBS Premieres 'Survivors of the Holocaust'". Journal Gazette. p. 4D.
  44. ↑ Chance, Norman (2011). Who Was Who on TV, Volume 3. Xlibris Corporation. p. 213. ISBN 978-1-4568-2454-9.
  45. ↑ Groening, Matt (2004-12-29). Fresh Air. Interview with Terry Gross. National Public Radio. WHYY-FM. Philadelphia. Retrieved 2007-06-09.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 "Ask Frank!". The Frank Welker Homepage. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Basile, Nancy. "There's a New Maude in Town". About.com. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
  48. ↑ Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian (2000). "The Simpsons Christmas Special". BBC. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  49. ↑ Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian (2000). "Lisa the Beauty Queen". BBC. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
  50. ↑ Reiss, Mike. (2003). Commentary for "Flaming Moe's", in The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
  51. ↑ Silverman, David (2001). The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Some Enchanted Evening" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  52. ↑ "Chris Latta". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 53.2 53.3 53.4 53.5 "Briefing–'Simpsons' score big in Prime-Time Emmys". Daily News of Los Angeles. 1992-08-03. p. L20.
  54. ↑ The Associated Press (1993-09-21). "The Emmy Awards: The Complete List of Winners". The Palm Beach Post. p. 3D.
  55. ↑ "Legacy: 23rd Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (1995)". Annie Awards. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
  56. ↑ "Legacy: 25th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (1997)". Annie Awards. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
  57. ↑ The Associated Press (1998-09-14). "Emmy Prime-Time Award Winners". The Seattle Times. p. E3.
  58. ↑ Dutka, Elaine (2001-08-14). "Morning Report". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
  59. ↑ "Early Bird Emmys: Voice-Over, Animation". Emmys.org. 2003-07-17. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
  60. ↑ Denise Martin and Justin Chang (2004-09-12). "HBO takes Emmys big haul". Variety. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
  61. ↑ "Television Academy Announces 2006 Emmy Award Winners in Juried Categories; Costumes For A Variety or Music Program, Voice Over Performance and Individual Achievement in Animation". Emmys.org. 2006-07-19. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
  62. ↑ "Legacy: 35th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2007)". Annie Awards. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
  63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 "The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards and 2009 Creative Arts Emmy Awards Nominees are...". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 2009-07-16. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  64. ↑ O'Neil, Tom (2010-07-08). "After losing first Emmy bid last year, Harry Shearer back to being snubbed for 'The Simpsons'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 "2010 Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations" (PDF). Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  66. ↑ "The Simpsons". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 2011-07-14.
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 "The Simpsons". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
  68. ↑ Bates et al., p. 1110
  69. ↑ O'Neal, Sean (2014-03-31). "The Simpsons' "Lunchlady Doris" is "Lunchlady Dora" now". A.V. Club. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
  70. ↑ Bates et al., p. 1117
  71. ↑ "Maude Flanders will likely leave Simpsons". The Record. 2000-02-05. p. F04.
  72. ↑ Koha, Nui Te (2000-02-06). "Ned faces life alone". Sunday Herald Sun. p. 025.


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