19 Amazing Simpsons Characters Voiced By Hank Azaria

As a longtime fan of The Simpsons, I can confidently say that Hank Azaria has left an indelible mark on the show with his remarkable ability to bring numerous characters to life. From the mischievous Cletus Spuckler to the eccentric Comic Book Guy, each character he voiced added a unique flavor to the series.

Hank Azaria exhibits exceptional vocal talent, as demonstrated by his diverse cast of characters in “The Simpsons.” His impressive roster showcases the depth of his acting abilities, with each voice unique and perfectly executed. From leading roles such as Chief Wiggum to memorable secondary characters like Frank Grimes, these performances are consistently laugh-out-loud funny. Even the characters he no longer voices, like Apu and Carl, remain iconic. Here is a list of some of Azaria’s standout characters on “The Simpsons.

Chief Wiggum

The hapless chief of the Springfield Police Department, Clancy Wiggum, is one the dumbest people in Springfield, which makes him one of the best characters. His subtleness is one of the most underrated parts of his character and Azaria nails his lines every time.

Duffman

Though Duffman might not hold a significant role among the primary or even secondary characters in “The Simpsons,” it’s quite interesting how much depth his character exhibits, given that he primarily appears in brief scenes, mainly advocating for Duff Beer.

Carl Carlson

Among Homer Simpson’s closest friends are Lenny and Carl. These two are seldom seen separately, yet they don’t always appear to enjoy each other’s company. Originally, Carl was voiced by Harry Shearer on the show, but starting from Season 2, Hank Azaria took over as the voice actor until the end of Season 30; then Alex Désert assumed the role of the character portraying a black individual.

Superintendent Gary Chalmers

Sometimes, it appears as if Superintendent Gary Chalmers is the only efficient individual within the entire Springfield school system. His frequent anger is justified, given the circumstances. Yet, it’s when Azaria subtly modulates his voice that the character’s funniest moments arise.

Moe Szyslak

On the show, Hank Azaria initially voiced the character Bartender Moe Szyslak, who has become a long-lasting figure. The roughness in his voice mirrors Moe’s grumpy demeanor, which has been shaped over decades by serving the same rowdy patrons at Moe’s Tavern since its beginning. He’s one of those characters that consistently elicits laughter from us.

Comic Book Guy

The character known as “The Comic Book Guy,” or Jeff Albertson, embodies the spirit of many detailed-oriented fans, a truth we can all relate to. His sarcastic, world-weary tone perfectly encapsulates the essence of passionate pop culture enthusiasts. Interestingly, he was ahead of his time, as he was already poking fun at popular culture as early as Season 2, making him one of the most iconic “Simpsons” characters who didn’t debut in the first season.

Disco Stu

Disco Stu primarily entertains us through his witty, humorous remarks rather than advertising anything. His character is a significant reason for the enduring love for minor characters in various shows. Despite being largely based on a single joke, it consistently manages to be fresh and entertaining.

Professor Frink

Over time, the character of Professor Frink, modeled after Jerry Lewis, has expanded significantly. As legend goes, he was initially envisioned as a malevolent, mad scientist, but Hank Azaria’s distinctive voice transformed him into a more comedic clown, and this change has greatly enhanced the show.

Kirk Van Houten

Poor Kirk Van Houten, Milhouse’s weekend dad, seems to have more bad luck than good. Ever since his divorce from Luann, things just haven’t gone his way (or managed to find a glimmer of happiness). Yet, the talent of actor Hank Azaria in portraying the downtrodden ex-factory worker with warmth and charm keeps the character beloved, rather than merely grating on our nerves.

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon

The proprietor of Kwik-E-Mart, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, was a beloved and significant secondary character on The Simpsons. However, this perception shifted in Season 29 when Hank Azaria opted to no longer voice the Indian character due to concerns about the representation of his ethnicity (which Azaria does not share). While it’s crucial to acknowledge and support the actor’s decision, Apu is certainly a character that is missed.

Lenny Leonard

It’s logical that Hank Azaria initially provided the voices for both of Homer’s coworkers, given their inseparable relationship. However, Azaria has passed on the role of Carl to a voice actor of African descent, while he continues to give Lenny his distinctive high-pitched, squeaky voice that always elicits laughter from us.

Frank Grimes

Beyond Kirk Van Houten, Frank Grimes, a character on The Simpsons, arguably evokes the most sadness. He resides under a bowling alley, works tirelessly, never enjoys a lobster dinner, and unfortunately meets his end imitating Homer’s recklessness. Despite appearing in just one episode (and a few brief scenes in two other episodes), Billy West delivers such a remarkable performance as the character that he remains deeply etched in our memory.

Very Tall Man

In one of the standout “Simpsons” episodes for newcomers, titled “22 Short Films About Springfield,” a notable character named The Very Tall Man (or Ian) was first introduced. Though he’s popped up occasionally since then, his debut scene – where he playfully picked up Nelson as if he were a basketball due to their verbal sparring over his car and height – remains one of the show’s most iconic moments.

Lou

Lou, a character in the Office who never reveals his surname, can be both an exemplary figure of the Springfield police department and its least effective member depending on the situation. For 31 seasons, Hank Azaria, his voice actor, brought this versatile character to life until he ceased portraying the Black officer’s voice after Season 31.

Bumblebee Man

One of the few characters that Hank Azaria no longer voices in recent episodes of “The Simpsons” is Bumblebee Manmany, due to respecting the character’s ethnicity which he doesn’t share. Instead, Eric Lopez now provides the voice for this Mexican TV personality on Springfield’s Spanish-language channel. Even though nothing about the character has changed in the swap, and it’s evident that an actor of Latin descent is more suitable to play a Mexican character, Azaria will forever be associated with bringing the character to life.

Arthur Crandall And Gabbo

Initially, the ventriloquist/puppet duo of Arthur Crandall and Gabbo were introduced to viewers in “Krusty Gets Kancelled”. They played a significant role in causing the cancellation of Krusty’s popular show. Although they are not main characters, they have made occasional appearances throughout the years. Both are voiced by Hank Azaria.

Cletus Spuckler

Initially introduced as a humorous character in the iconic Season 5 episode “Bart Gets an Elephant,” Cletus Spuckler has since grown to be one of the most cherished supporting figures on the series over time.

Santa’s Little Helper

Absolutely, you might find an interesting twist in the voices behind your pets – they’re often provided by the talented cast from the show “The Simpsons”. Typically, Santa’s Little Helper, the family pet, is given a voice by Dan Castellaneta. But, in a unique instance, during the episode “Treehouse of Horror XXV” in Season 26, the task was handed over to another cast member, Hank Azaria, to bring the dog to life.

Drederick Tatum

Drederick Tatum is a character on “The Simpsons” who often appears sporadically and is known for his unpredictability. This character serves as a caricature of Mike Tyson and is the heavyweight boxing champion in Springfield. Hank Azaria initially provided the voice for this character during Season 2, but after Season 31, he stopped voicing Tatum, with “SNL” alumnus Jay Pharaoh taking over the role since then.

2024-12-24 18:07