Meet the Simpsons

Perhaps more than any other animated show, “The Simpsons” has always been anchored by its steady voice cast. Every American kid has doubtlessly attempted an impression of one of the members of television’s most famous family, and that’s all thanks to the four incredible actors who have been giving those voices life since 1989.

Dan Castellaneta as Homer Simpson
Other Voices Barney, Grampa, Krusty the Clown, Sideshow Mel, Mayor Quimby

Inspiration for Homer’s voice
Die-hard fans will notice that Homer sounds noticeably different in the first season or two of the show compared to now. Castellaneta started by just doing a loose Walter Matthau impression, but he couldn’t sustain that voice. In the recent episode “Angry Dad: The Movie,” Homer jokes that his voice is part Matthau, part Little Richard “and a little bit of Snoopy when he cries.”
Before he was Homer
Castellaneta is an Illinois native, and he started his career at Chicago’s own Second City. It wasn’t long before he was cast on “The Tracey Ullman Show,” but he also had an uncredited part in “Say Anything.”
Outside of “The Simpsons”
He’s primarily a voice actor, perhaps most notably on the animated shows “Darkwing Duck,” “Hey Arnold!” and “Aladdin.” Although, you’ve seen Castellaneta as a character actor on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Entourage,” “The Pursuit of Happyness” and his brilliant fourth wall-breaking moment on “Arrested Development.”

Julie Kavner as Marge Simpson

Other Voices
Patty and Selma
Inspiration for Marge’s voice
Kavner may not be recognizable as Marge without her giant frock of blue hair, but those who are familiar with her know Kavner’s voice is equally as raspy as Marge’s, if at a lower pitch.
Before she was Marge
Before James L. Brooks developed “The Simpsons,” he created “Rhoda” and cast Kavner in the supporting role of Brenda Morgenstern. Kavner won an Emmy for her work on “Rhoda,” but she also worked with Woody Allen and in the Oscar-nominated “Awakenings.”
Outside of “The Simpsons”
“Deconstructing Harry” and “Click” may not be the ideal side jobs from Marge Simpson, but Kavner has been cast in the upcoming “Chickadee,” rumored to be starring Chris Cooper and Ellen Burstyn.

Nancy Cartwright as Bart Simpson

Other Voices
Maggie Simpson, Ralph, Nelson, Todd Flanders
Inspiration for Bart’s voice
Cartwright drew on her voices from other animated shows to create Bart’s iconic sound, and it came to her so naturally, she was given the part instantly.
Before she was Bart
Cartwright’s first role was the voice of Gloria in the animated series “Richie Rich.” She also appeared in “Twilight Zone: The Movie.”
Outside of “The Simpsons”
For a time, Cartwright took the voice of Chuckie Finster on “Rugrats” and in that teenage “Rugrats” thing, but she also did the voice for the naked mole rat Rufus on “Kim Possible.” Her book and one-woman show called “My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy” recount a famous story of her not being recognized at a conference and responding to a rude attendant, “I’m Bart Simpson! Who the hell are you?”

Yeardley Smith as Lisa Simpson

Other Voices
None
Inspiration for Lisa’s voice
Smith originally auditioned for the role of Bart and was immediately turned away because her voice was too high and girly. Smith simply raises the pitch of her voice to become Lisa.
Before she was Lisa
Although she was originally born in Paris, Smith got her start on stage in the early 1980s in Washington, D.C., and on Broadway.
Outside of “The Simpsons”
In James L. Brooks’ “As Good as It Gets,” Smith ironically plays a character named Jackie Simpson. She’s also a steady character actor and had an off-Broadway play called “More.”

Harry Shearer as Montgomery Burns and Ned Flanders

Other Voices
Lenny, Rev. Lovejoy, Principal Skinner, Dr. Hibbert, Mr. Smithers, Otto, Kang, Kent Brockman
Inspiration for Mr. Burns’ voice
Apparently, Mr. Burns is a combination between Lionel Barrymore and Ronald Reagan.
Before he was Mr. Burns
Shearer has been working since 1953, when he had an uncredited part in “Abbott and Costello Go To Mars.” He also worked as a child actor on television for many years. But he potentially still had a huge career ahead of him if not for “The Simpsons.” He was a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” and also portrayed the bassist Derek Smalls in “This is Spinal Tap.” Spinal Tap actually reunited on “The Simpsons” when Christopher Guest and Michael McKean guest starred as the band and then were all comically killed in a bus explosion.
Outside of “The Simpsons”
Shearer is the most critical of “The Simpsons” itself and, because of that, he’s fallen back on work in “For Your Consideration,” “The Truman Show” and the American “Godzilla” remake.

Hank Azaria as Moe Szyslak

Other Voices
Professor John Frink, Comic Book Guy, Chief Wiggum, Lou, Carl, Cletus, Apu, Drederick Tatum, Bumblebee Man, Sea Captain, Dr. Nick
Inspiration for all his voices
Can you believe Al Pacino for Moe, a Peter Sellers character for Apu, Edward G. Robinson for Chief Wiggum, Sylvester Stallone for Chief Wiggum’s partner Lou, Ricky Ricardo for Dr. Nick, Charles Bronson for the nameless “Wise Guy” and William H. Macy for the one-time character Frank Grimes?
Before he did half the supporting cast
Azaria was not originally a permanent cast member. He replaced Christopher Collins for Moe’s part and was given a full-time contract later. But before that, he had not done much in film or TV, spending most of his time as a stand-up comedian.
Outside of “The Simpsons”
Azaria is probably the most recognizable actor of the group in person. He was in Robert Redford’s “Quiz Show” in 1994 and Michael Mann’s “Heat” in 1995. However, he gained facial recognition on “Friends,” “Shattered Glass,” “Along Came Polly,” “Dodgeball” and, quite recently, the “Night at the Museum” sequel, “Year One” and “Love and Other Drugs.” He will appear in the upcoming Smurfs movie as well.