List of The Simpsons cast members
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. Pamela Hayden, Tress MacNeille, Maggie Roswell, Chris Edgerly, Eric Lopez, Alex Désert, Kevin Michael Richardson, Jenny Yokobori, Kimberly D. Brooks, Dawnn Lewis, Tony Rodriguez, Melanie Minichino, Jonathan Lipow, and Grey DeLisle have appeared as supporting cast members, along with former supporting cast members Russi Taylor, Karl Wiedergott, Marcia Mitzman Gaven, Doris Grau, Susan Blu, Jo Ann Harris, and Christopher Collins. Repeat guest cast members include Marcia Wallace, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, Joe Mantegna, Frank Welker, Kelsey Grammer and Albert Brooks.[1] With the exception of "Old Money", 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 award in 2014 for the episode "Four Regrettings and a Funeral."[4] Castellaneta and Azaria have won four, while Kavner, Cartwright, Smith, Shearer, Wallace, Grammer, and guest star Jackie Mason have each won one.[5]
Regular cast
[edit]Background
[edit]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.[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", rerecording Christopher Collins's lines as Moe Szyslak. In 2001, Groening remarked that he still considered 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 30th season.[22] As well as the actors, everybody involved in the show took a pay cut.[23]
Main cast
[edit]Other regular cast
[edit]Recurring guest voices
[edit]Episodes | Actor | Character(s) | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
179 | Marcia Wallace[45] (1990–2013) |
Edna Krabappel | Following Wallace's death in 2013, Edna Krabappel was retired from the show. | |
52 | Phil Hartman (1991–1998) |
Troy McClure | Lionel Hutz | Following Hartman's death in 1998, McClure and Hutz were retired from the show.[46] |
Fat Tony (one episode) | Other one-time roles[47] | |||
44 | Joe Mantegna (1991–present) |
Fat Tony[48] | Mantegna has appeared since 1991.[48] | |
29 | Maurice LaMarche (1995, 2006–2018, 2021, 2023) |
Cap'n Crunch | Toucan Sam | LaMarche has appeared in several minor roles since 1995.[49] |
Various other characters[49] | ||||
21 | Frank Welker (1991–2002, 2014) |
Santa's Little Helper | Snowball II | 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.[50] |
Various other animals[35] | ||||
25 | Kelsey Grammer (1990–present) |
Sideshow Bob[47] | Grammer has appeared since 1990.[47] | |
20 | Jon Lovitz (1991–present) |
Artie Ziff | Professor Lombardo | Lovitz has appeared in several episodes since 1991.[49] |
Aristotle Amadopolis | Jay Sherman | |||
Llewellyn Sinclair and Mrs. Sinclair | Enrico Irritazio[49] | |||
9 | Jane Kaczmarek (2001–2022) |
Judge Constance Harm[49] | Kaczmarek has appeared as Judge Harm since 2001.[49] | |
9 | Albert Brooks (1990–2023) |
Hank Scorpio | Jacques "Brunswick" | Brooks has appeared as one-time characters in several episodes since 1990.[51] |
Cowboy Bob | Brad Goodman | |||
Tab Spangler[51] | Russ Cargill | |||
11 | Glenn Close (1995–2021) |
Mona Simpson[49] | Close has appeared as Homer's mother Mona since 1995. The character was killed off in 2008, but has made several appearances in flashbacks since then. | |
12 | Jackie Mason (1991–2022) |
Rabbi Krustofski[49] | Mason first appeared as Krusty's father, Rabbi Krustofski, in 1991. The character was killed off in 2014. Dan Castellaneta voiced the character in several episodes. | |
6 | Jan Hooks (1997–2002) |
Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon[49] | Hooks was the original voice of Manjula, and portrayed her between 1997 and 2002. Tress MacNeille currently voices Manjula. | |
4 | Stephen Hawking (1999–2010) |
Himself[49] | Hawking has made the most appearances of all the guest stars who have appeared as themselves on the show. |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Year | Actor | Award | Category | Role | Episode | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1992 | Nancy Cartwright | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Bart Simpson | "Separate Vocations" | Won[52] |
1992 | Dan Castellaneta | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Homer Simpson | "Lisa's Pony" | Won[52] |
1992 | Julie Kavner | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Marge Simpson | "I Married Marge" | Won[52] |
1992 | Jackie Mason | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Rabbi Hyman Krustofski | "Like Father, Like Clown" | Won[52] |
1992 | Yeardley Smith | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Lisa Simpson | "Lisa the Greek" | Won[52] |
1992 | Marcia Wallace | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Edna Krabappel | "Bart the Lover" | Won[52] |
1993 | Dan Castellaneta | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Homer Simpson | "Mr. Plow" | Won[53] |
1995 | Nancy Cartwright | Annie Award | Voice Acting in the Field of Animation | Bart Simpson | "Radio Bart" | Won[54] |
1997 | Maggie Roswell | Annie Award | Best Voice Acting by a Female Performer | Shary Bobbins | "Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious" | Nominated[55] |
1998 | Hank Azaria | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Apu Nahasapeemapetilon | Won[56] | |
2001 | Hank Azaria | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Various | "Worst Episode Ever" | Won[57] |
2003 | Hank Azaria | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Various | "Moe Baby Blues" | Won[58] |
2004 | Dan Castellaneta | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Various Characters | "Today I am A Clown" | Won[59] |
2006 | Kelsey Grammer | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Sideshow Bob | "The Italian Bob" | Won[60] |
2007 | Julie Kavner | Annie Award | Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature | Marge Simpson | The Simpsons Movie | Nominated[61] |
2009 | Hank Azaria | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Moe Szyslak | "Eeny Teeny Maya Moe" | Nominated[62] |
2009 | Dan Castellaneta | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Homer Simpson | "Father Knows Worst" | Won[63] |
2009 | Harry Shearer | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Mr. Burns, Smithers, Kent Brockman and Lenny |
"The Burns and the Bees" | Nominated[62] |
2010 | Hank Azaria | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Moe Szyslak, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon | "Moe Letter Blues" | Nominated[64] |
2010 | Dan Castellaneta | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Homer Simpson, Grampa Simpson | "Thursday with Abie" | Nominated[64] |
2011 | Dan Castellaneta | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Voice-over Performance | Homer Simpson, Barney Gumble, Krusty, Louie | "Donnie Fatso" | Nominated[65] |
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[66] |
2014 | Harry Shearer | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance | Kent Brockman, Mr. Burns, Smithers | "Four Regrettings and a Funeral" | Won[66] |
2015 | Dan Castellaneta | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance | Homer Simpson | "Bart's New Friend" | Nominated[66] |
2015 | Hank Azaria | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance | Moe Szyslak, Pedicab Driver | "The Princess Guide" | Won[66] |
2015 | Tress MacNeille | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance | Laney Fontaine, Shauna, Mrs. Muntz | "My Fare Lady" | Nominated[66] |
2017 | Nancy Cartwright | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance | Bart Simpson | "Looking for Mr. Goodbart" | Nominated[66] |
2018 | Dan Castellaneta | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance | Homer Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Groundskeeper Willie, Sideshow Mel | "Fears of a Clown" | Nominated[66] |
2019 | Hank Azaria | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance | Moe Szyslak, Carl, Duffman, Kirk | "From Russia Without Love" | Nominated[66] |
2020 | Hank Azaria | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance | Professor Frink, Moe, Chief Wiggum, Carl, Cletus, Kirk, Sea Captain | "Frinkcoin" | Nominated[66] |
2020 | Nancy Cartwright | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance | Bart Simpson, Nelson, Ralph, Todd | "Better Off Ned" | Nominated[66] |
Notes
[edit]- ^ A. Guest star Jackie Mason has voiced Rabbi Krustofski in six episodes.[48]
- ^ B. Replaced Frank Welker.[50]
- ^ C. Doris was initially retired after Doris Grau's death, but has returned in several episodes since "The Mook, the Chef, the Wife and Her Homer", and has been voiced by MacNeille.[67][68]
- ^ D. Guest star Pamela Reed voiced Ruth on three occasions.[69]
- ^ E. Between 1999 and 2002, Marcia Mitzman Gaven voiced the three characters because Roswell resigned after Fox refused to raise her travel expenses.[70][71] Roswell returned in 2002.[40]
References
[edit]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, eds. (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
- ^ Finley, Adam (2006-06-20). "The Five: Great Simpsons guest stars". TV Squad. Archived from the original on 2009-07-15. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Ever Sardonic Harry Shearer On 'Impeccable' Timing Of First Emmy Win". Deadline Hollywood. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
- ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards Advanced Search". Emmys.org. Archived from the original on 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
- ^ "The Voice Behind Homer Simpson Steps into the Spotlight and...D'oh!". Barnes & Noble. 2002-04-25. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ Lee, Luaine (2003-02-27). "D'oh, you're the voice". The Age. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
- ^ "Bart's voice tells all". BBC News. 2000-11-10. Retrieved 2007-05-16.
- ^ Carroll, Larry (2008-10-26). "'Simpsons' Trivia, From Swearing Lisa To 'Burns-Sexual' Smithers". MTV. Archived from the original on 2007-12-20. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
- ^ Miranda, Charles (2007-12-08). "She who laughs last". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). p. 8E.
- ^ Heidi Vogt (2004-04-04). "She's happy as Lisa Simpson, although she'd like more d'oh". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press.
- ^ "Harry Shearer". Listen to Me. Archived from the original on 2007-10-31. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
- ^ Azaria, Hank (2004-12-06). "Fresh Air". National Public Radio (Interview). Interviewed by Terry Gross. Philadelphia: WHYY-FM. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
- ^ Groening, Matt (2001). The Simpsons The Complete First Season DVD commentary for the episode "Some Enchanted Evening" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ Dan Glaister (2004-04-03). "Simpsons actors demand bigger share". The Age. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
- ^ "'Simpsons' Cast Goes Back To Work". CBS News. 2004-05-01. Archived from the original on 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
- ^ Peter Sheridan (2004-05-06). "Meet the Simpsons". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney).
- ^ a b Michael Schneider (2008-05-19). "Still no deal for 'Simpsons' cast". Variety. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Snierson, Dan (October 4, 2011). "'Simpsons' studio says show cannot continue without cutting costs". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
- ^ Block, Alex Ben (October 7, 2011). "'The Simpsons' Renewed for Two More Seasons". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (October 11, 2011). "The Simpsons Executive Producer Al Jean on How the Show Was Saved". TV Guide. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
- ^ Bates et al., pp. 1096–1099
- ^ Bates et al., p. 1099
- ^ Bates et al., pp. 1099–1100
- ^ 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.
- ^ Bates et al., p. 1100
- ^ Smith, Yeardley (2007). Audio commentary for The Simpsons Movie (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ Bates et al., pp. 1100–1004
- ^ Bates et al., pp. 1105–1007
- ^ Bates et al., pp. 1107–1008
- ^ Bates et al., pp. 1108–1111
- ^ Porter, Rick (February 22, 2021). "'The Simpsons': Harry Shearer to Stop Voicing Black Character". www.h ollywoodreporter.com. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Bates et al., p. 1111
- ^ Respers France, Lisa (September 8, 2020). "Alex Désert takes over for Hank Azaria voicing Carl on 'The Simpsons'". CNN. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ "Chris Edgerly: Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
- ^ "Cid Highwind Speaks! An Interview with Chris Edgerly". The Gaming Liberty. 2011-08-22. Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
- ^ Moreau, Jordan (February 22, 2021). "Harry Shearer No Longer Voicing Black 'Simpsons' Character Dr. Hibbert, Kevin Michael Richardson to Take Over'". Variety. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Basile, Nancy. "There's a New Maude in Town". About.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
- ^ Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian (2000). "The Simpsons Christmas Special". BBC. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
- ^ Martyn, Warren; Wood, Adrian (2000). "Lisa the Beauty Queen". BBC. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
- ^ Reiss, Mike. (2003). Commentary for "Flaming Moe's", in The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
- ^ Silverman, David (2001). The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Some Enchanted Evening" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Groening, Matt (2004-12-29). "Fresh Air". National Public Radio (Interview). Interviewed by Terry Gross. Philadelphia: WHYY-FM. Retrieved 2007-06-09.
- ^ a b c Bates et al., p. 1114
- ^ a b c Bates et al., p. 1116
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bates et al., p. 1115
- ^ a b "Ask Frank!". The Frank Welker Homepage. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
- ^ a b Bates et al., p. 1112
- ^ a b c d e f "Briefing–'Simpsons' score big in Prime-Time Emmys". Daily News of Los Angeles. 1992-08-03. p. L20.
- ^ "The Emmy Awards: The Complete List of Winners". The Palm Beach Post. The Associated Press. 1993-09-21. p. 3D.
- ^ "Legacy: 23rd Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (1995)". Annie Awards. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
- ^ "Legacy: 25th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (1997)". Annie Awards. Archived from the original on 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
- ^ "Emmy Prime-Time Award Winners". The Seattle Times. The Associated Press. 1998-09-14. p. E3.
- ^ Dutka, Elaine (2001-08-14). "Morning Report". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
- ^ "Early Bird Emmys: Voice-Over, Animation". Emmys.org. 2003-07-17. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
- ^ Denise Martin & Justin Chang (2004-09-12). "HBO takes Emmys big haul". Variety. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Legacy: 35th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2007)". Annie Awards. Archived from the original on 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
- ^ a b "The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards and 2009 Creative Arts Emmy Awards Nominees are..." Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 2009-07-16. Archived from the original on 2009-07-18. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on 2011-09-20. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
- ^ a b "2010 Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations" (PDF). Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
- ^ "The Simpsons". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 2011-07-14.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The Simpsons". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
- ^ Bates et al., p. 1110
- ^ O'Neal, Sean (2014-03-31). "The Simpsons' "Lunchlady Doris" is "Lunchlady Dora" now". A.V. Club. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
- ^ Bates et al., p. 1117
- ^ "Maude Flanders will likely leave Simpsons". The Record. 2000-02-05. p. F04.
- ^ Koha, Nui Te (2000-02-06). "Ned faces life alone". Sunday Herald Sun. p. 025.
External links
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