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, Maggie Roswell, Chris Edgerly, Eric Lopez, Alex Désert, Kevin Michael Richardson, Jenny Yokobori, Kimberly D. Brooks, Dawnn Lewis, Tony Rodriguez, Melanie Minichino, Jonathan Lipow, Mo Collins, Kelly Macleod and Grey DeLisle have appeared as supporting cast members, along with former supporting cast members Pamela Hayden, 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, Keegan-Michael Key, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Pharrell Williams, Kelsey Grammer, Kiefer Sutherland, John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Tom Hanks and Albert Brooks. 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. 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. 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." Castellaneta and Azaria have won four, while Kavner, Cartwright, Smith, Shearer, Wallace, Grammer, and guest star Jackie Mason have each won one.
Regular cast Background
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. 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. 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, Smith was given the role of Lisa instead. 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. Azaria was only a guest actor in the first season, but became permanent in season 2. 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."
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. The strike was resolved a month later and until 2008 they earned something between $250,000 and $360,000 per episode. 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. The dispute was soon resolved, and the actors' salary was raised to $400,000 per episode.
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. 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. 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. As well as the actors, everybody involved in the show took a pay cut.
Main cast Dan CastellanetaBates et al., pp. 1096–1099 Homer Simpson Grampa Simpson Krusty the Clown Barney Gumble Groundskeeper Willie Mayor Quimby Santa's Little Helper Hans Moleman Sideshow Mel Itchy Squeaky Voiced Teen Gil Gunderson Blue Haired Lawyer Rich Texan Kodos Louie Arnie Pye Bill Mr. Teeny Scott Christian Charlie Benjamin Captain Lance Murdock Mr. Prince Yes Guy Jake the Barber Poochie Leopold Rabbi Krustofsky Frankie the Squealer Coach Lugash Jack Marley Kearney Zzyzwicz, Sr. Nicky Bluepants Altosaxophony Don Castellaneta Aristole Amadopolis Himself Theodore Flanders Canadian Flanders Homer Van Houten Homer Glumpet Canadian Basketball Player Homer Flanders Benjamin Franklin Julie KavnerBates et al., p. 1099Marge SimpsonPatty BouvierSelma BouvierJacqueline Bouvier Sideshow Mel's wifeGreat MomJessica BouvierMabel SimpsonAlvarine GurneyBarbara Van HorneGladys GurneyEunice Bouvier Nancy CartwrightBates et al., pp. 1099–1100 Bart Simpson Maggie SimpsonBrooks, 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. Nelson Muntz Ralph Wiggum Kearney Todd Flanders Rod Flanders Database Richard Lewis Clark Nahasapeemapetilon octuplets Brittany Brockman (daughter of Kent Brockman) Prince Gautama Sandeep Nahasapeemapetilon Wendell Borton Abigail Canadian Nelson Pria Nahasapeemapetilon Crystal Meth Spuckler Kearney Zzyzwicz, Jr. TV Daughter Woman on Phone Edith Knickertwist Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Tom Gammel Gavin El Barto Female Bart Simpson Yeardley SmithBates et al., p. 1100Lisa SimpsonMaggie SimpsonEliza Simpson Angelica ButtonGrandma FlandersCecile ShapiroPahasatira NahasapeemapetilonPahascueta NahasapeemapetilonLisa Simpson's GranddaughterConnie AppleseedHerselfLisa Simpson, Jr. Hank AzariaBates et al., pp. 1100–1004 Moe Szyslak Chief Wiggum Apu Nahasapeemapetilon Carl Carlson Comic Book Guy Lou Prof. Frink Cletus Spuckler Superintendent Chalmers Snake Jailbird Captain Horatio McCallister Kirk Van Houten Wiseguy Bumblebee Man Luigi Risotto Old Jewish Man Disco Stu Dr. Nick Riviera Duffman Drederick Tatum Julio Johnny Tightlips Coach Krupt Doug Chase/Pyro Legs Akira Frank Grimes Gunter"Just Stamp the Ticket" Man The Veterinarian Khlav Kalash Vendor Adult Bart Simpson Milford A. Alexander Carl Carlson, Sr. Ted Carpenter Chinese Humongous Horatio Caine Farmer Billy Cyclops Meaux Bouvier Dr. Foster Mexican Duffman Alexander Graham Bell Bomb Disarming Robot Carnival Barker Counter Man Abraham Lincoln Male EPA Worker Dome Depot Announcer EPA Passenger Kissing Cop #2 Harry ShearerBates et al., pp. 1105–1007 Mr. Burns Waylon Smithers Ned Flanders Principal Skinner Lenny Leonard Kent Brockman Reverend Lovejoy Dr. Hibbert Otto Mann Jasper Beardley Scratchy Rainier Wolfcastle/McBain Eddie Dewey Largo Judge Snyder Kang Marty Dr. Marvin Monroe God George H. W. Bush Herman Dave Shutton Dr. J. Loren Pryor Sanjay Nahasapeemapetilon Cesar Tom Brokaw Principal Dondelinger Gary President Arnold Schwarzenegger Wainwright Montgomery Burns Boxcar Bob Police Officer Richard Nixon Ronald Reagan Legs Radioactive Man Jebediah Springfield Mr. Bouvier Ernst Nedward Flanders Sr.
Other regular cast Actor Character(s) Pamela HaydenBates et al., pp. 1107–1008(1989–2025) Milhouse Van Houten Jimbo Jones Rod Flanders Todd Flanders Janey Powell Sarah Wiggum Malibu Stacy Patches Ruth Powers Wendell Borton Lewis Richard Lois Pennycandy Mona Simpson Dolph Amber Simpson Allison Taylor Capri Flanders Miss Springfield Weasle Ham Tress MacNeilleBates et al., pp. 1108–1111(1990–present) Agnes Skinner Dolph Starbeam Brandine Spuckler Lindsey Naegle Crazy Cat Lady Cookie Kwan Bernice Hibbert Mrs. Muntz Mrs. Glick Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon Lunchlady Doris Shauna Chalmers Miss Springfield Ms. Albright Booberella Opal Kumiko Albertson Gino Terwilliger Poor Violet Ginger Flanders Brunella Pommelhorst Abraham Simpson's Girlfriend Cookie Kwan and Joe Quimby's Son Colin Simpson Anoop Nahasapeemapetilon Sashi Nahasapeemapetilon Cassandra Patterson Gheet Nahasapeemapetilon Medicine Woman TV Son Gwendolyn Nightshadow Female EPA Worker Whitney Spuckler Jenny Yokobori(2021–present) Kumiko Nakamura Yokobori replaced MacNeille in response to the George Floyd protests in 2020. Karl WiedergottBates et al., p. 1111(1998–2010) Legs Bill Clinton Jimmy Carter EPA Driver Man Prof. Frink Maggie Roswell(1990–1999, 2002–present) Maude Flanders Helen Lovejoy Elizabeth Hoover Luann Van Houten Princess Kashmir Mary Bailey Lewis Clark Richard Martha Quimby Mona Simpson Sylvia Winfield Strawberry Russi Taylor(1990–2019) Martin Prince Sherri Terri Üter Zörker Wendell Borton Lewis Alex Désert(2020–present) Carl Carlson Lou Alex took over the roles of Carl and Lou, starting with the thirty-second season. Chris Edgerly(2011–present) Various characters Kevin Michael Richardson(2009–present) Dr. Hibbert Bleeding Gums Murphy Judge Snyder Burns' Cellmate Jamaican Musician Security Guard Denim Simpson Anger Watkins Jonathan Tallon-Zzyzwicz Bleeding Gums Murphy's Nephew Phloem Pazuzu Cop with a Secret Jamaican Krusty the Clown Lady Gaga Express Conductor Retirement Castle Orderly Jay G/Maxwell Flinch Nigerian King SendEx Employee Party Guest Mall Cop FBI Agent Chester Prison Inmate Albert Cop #3 Guard Sedgwick the Personality Ice Walker Stogie Xander Demogorgon Flanders Dave Chappelle End Credits Singer Andre Deuce The Patriarch Lewis Clark Richardson takes over the roles of Dr. Hibbert and Judge Snyder, starting with the thirty-second season. Prior to this, he voiced various minor characters. Doris Grau(1991–1997) Lunchlady Doris Various minor characters Grey DeLisle(2019–present) Martin Prince Sherri Terri DeLisle takes over the roles of Martin Prince, Sherri and Terri starting with the thirty-first season. Dawnn Lewis(2017–present) Bernice Hibbert Lewis takes over the role of Bernice Hibbert, starting with the thirty-second season. Marcia Mitzman Gaven(1999–2002) Maude Flanders Helen Lovejoy Elizabeth Hoover Jo Ann Harris(1989–1992) Various charactersReiss, Mike. (2003). Commentary for "Flaming Moe's", in The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season [DVD]. 20th Century Fox. Christopher Collins(1989–1990) Mr. Burns Moe Szyslak America's Most Armed and Dangerous Host Susan Blu(1990) Various characters Eric Lopez(2020–2022; 2025) Bumblebee Man Lopez takes over the role of Bumblebee Man, starting with the thirty-second season. Tony Rodriguez(2021–present) Julio Rodriguez takes over the role of Julio, starting with the thirty-second season. Kimberly D. Brooks(2021–present) Lewis Brooks takes over the role of Lewis, starting with the thirty-second season. Jonathan Lipow(2022–present) Axel the Goat Various animals Balfalamog Wolverine Melanie Minichino(2021–present) Various characters Mo Collins(2025-present) Jimbo Jones Kelly Macleod(2022, 2025-present) Milhouse Van Houten
Recurring guest voices