‘Simpsons’ Characters Who’ve Been Portrayed By Multiple Actors

It’s not unusual for a show that’s been on television for as long as *The Simpsons* to have multiple actors play the same characters. In fact, it’s more remarkable how many residents of Springfield have been voiced by the same actor for over 35 years. To put the show’s incredible run into perspective, consider this: when the second *Simpsons Movie* is released in 2027, it will have been 20 years since the first one, and *The Simpsons* had already been on the air for nearly 20 years before that movie even came out.

One reason *The Simpsons* has stayed on the air for so long is its simple, consistent storyline. Unlike shows with characters who age and change, the people of Springfield have remained largely the same since the show began in 1989, with very few exceptions.

Unlike some fictional characters, time continues to move forward for everyone else, including the voice actors who bring The Simpsons to life. Many of these talented performers are now getting older – for example, Harry Shearer, the voice of characters like Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders, is in his 80s. While the main cast has stayed the same since 1989, some of the actors who played smaller roles have sadly passed away or retired.

When a voice actor on *The Simpsons* passes away, the show’s producers usually handle it in one of two ways: They’ll either stop using the character altogether as a sign of respect – like they did with Mrs. Krabappel after Marcia Wallace died in 2013 – or they’ll find a new actor to take on the role and try to sound similar to the original.

Here are 12 examples of characters from *The Simpsons* who have been played by different actors over the years. This happens for various reasons – sometimes an actor retires or passes away, and sometimes the show’s producers just decide to recast the role. As the show continues – with a second movie planned and many more seasons already ordered by Fox – this is likely to happen more and more. And honestly, it’s a bit frustrating to think about the actors aging and changing! D’oh!

‘The Simpsons’ Characters Who’ve Been Portrayed By Multiple Actors

Maggie Simpson

Baby Maggie Simpson’s first word on *The Simpsons* was a big moment back in 1992, during the episode “Lisa’s First Word.” Surprisingly, that first word – “Daddy!” – was spoken by the famous actress Elizabeth Taylor. Over the years, other voice actors have occasionally provided Maggie’s baby sounds, including Yeardley Smith, who voices Lisa, and Nancy Cartwright, who voices Bart. The sounds of Maggie sucking on her pacifier were actually recorded by the show’s creator, Matt Groening, and early producer Gábor Csupó.

Mr. Burns

Initially, Homer Simpson’s boss, C. Montgomery Burns, on *The Simpsons* was voiced by Chris Latta, a comedian and actor also known for playing the villains Cobra Commander in *G.I. Joe* and Starscream in *Transformers*. However, the show’s staff found Latta difficult to work with – he even recorded lines for Moe, which weren’t used – and decided to replace him after a few months. Harry Shearer took over the role of Mr. Burns and re-recorded all of his lines from the show’s first episodes.

Milhouse Van Houten

Pamela Hayden and Kelly Macleod have voiced characters on *The Simpsons*. Pamela Hayden provided many voices for the show from its start through 2025, most notably as the character Milhouse. She retired in the fall of 2024 after more than 30 years, and Kelly Macleod will now voice Milhouse going forward.

Jimbo Jones

Pamela Hayden and Mo Collins provided the voices for these characters. Hayden impressively voiced both the nerdy Milhouse and the tough bully Jimbo Jones. After retiring from the role of Jimbo, she was replaced by Mo Collins, who is also known for her work on *Mad TV* and *Fear the Walking Dead*.

Rod Flanders

Pamela Hayden and Chris Edgerly provided the voices for characters on the show. In addition to other roles, Hayden originally voiced Rod Flanders, Ned Flanders’ innocent son, but Edgerly later took over the part. Nancy Cartwright voices Rod’s brother, Todd.

Martin Prince

Martin Prince, the bookish student from Springfield Elementary in *The Simpsons*, was originally voiced by the incredibly talented Russi Taylor. She voiced the character until her passing in 2019 after a fight with cancer. Currently, Grey DeLisle provides Martin’s voice, and does a fantastic job! Interestingly, Russi Taylor also voiced Minnie Mouse and was married to Wayne Allwine, the longtime voice of Mickey Mouse – a truly unique piece of voice acting history.

Sherri and Terri

Russi Taylor voiced the troublesome twins, Sherri and Terri, for many years, much like she did with Martin. After her passing, Grey DeLisle took on the role of voicing both characters.

Lunchlady Doris/Dora

The character of Lunchlady Doris (later Dora) on *The Simpsons* was originally voiced by Doris Grau, starting in 1991. Sadly, Grau passed away in 1995, and the character largely disappeared from the show for over a decade, appearing only in the background. In 2006, the character returned, now voiced by Tress MacNeille (who also plays characters like Agnes Skinner), and was renamed Lunchlady Dora as a tribute to the original voice actress.

Dr. Hibbert

Harry Shearer and Kevin Michael Richardson provide the voices for characters on *The Simpsons*. Starting in the early 2020s, the show began replacing white actors who previously voiced characters of color with actors of color. For example, Dr. Julius Hibbert, a Springfield town doctor, was originally voiced by Harry Shearer, but is now voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson, a versatile voice actor known for roles like the Joker and Jabba the Hutt.

Carl

Carl Carlson, Homer’s coworker at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, has been voiced by multiple actors. Initially, Harry Shearer provided the voice for his first appearance. However, Hank Azaria took over the role and voiced Carl for over 25 seasons. Starting with Season 32 in 2020, Alex Désert became the voice of Carl.

Officer Lou

Hank Azaria and Alex Désert provide the voices for several characters. Notably, Désert took over the role of Officer Lou, often seen alongside Chief Wiggum (voiced by Azaria) and Officer Eddie (voiced by Harry Shearer) as part of Springfield’s police force.

Bumblebee Man

As a big fan, I was really interested to see who would take on the role of Bumblebee Man after Hank Azaria. It’s now Eric Lopez, and he first played the part – you might remember – in the October 2020 episode, “Now Museum, Now You Don’t.” Of course, Bumblebee Man is actually Pedro Chespirito, a huge TV star in Spanish-speaking countries!

Dark and Disturbing Scenes From Animated Disney Movies

Child Trafficking at Pleasure Island (Pinocchio)

Disney’s *Pinocchio* is known for being one of its most unsettling films. Beyond the frightening giant whale and the villainous puppet master Stromboli, who cages Pinocchio, the movie features a particularly disturbing scene on Pleasure Island. There, Pinocchio and other mischievous boys begin to transform into donkeys and are then prepared to be sold as forced labor. While Pinocchio manages to escape, the imagery of children turning into animals is a stark and haunting parallel to the real tragedy of child trafficking.

Syndrome’s Murdered Hero Database (The Incredibles)

While *The Incredibles* has mature themes, the most shocking moment comes when Mr. Incredible discovers the extent of Syndrome’s villainy. While investigating ‘Operation Kronos’ on Syndrome’s computer, Mr. Incredible realizes Syndrome has been systematically killing superheroes using his deadly Omnidroid robots. He lured them to his island under false pretenses, using them as training targets. The scene is intensely unsettling as Mr. Incredible scrolls through profiles of ‘terminated’ heroes, his horror growing as he desperately checks if his wife, Elastigirl, and friend, Frozone, are still alive.

Orphan Kidnapping and Child Abuse (The Rescuers)

Though it came out in 1977, the Disney animated film *The Rescuers* isn’t known for big action scenes. However, the story actually deals with some very serious and realistic issues. While the talking mice are fantastical, the dangers faced by Penny, the orphaned girl they rescue, sadly reflect the hardships many children experience. In the film, Penny is kidnapped by the cruel Madame Medusa, who forces her to search a treacherous cave for a valuable diamond. Medusa not only puts Penny’s life in danger – even nearly drowning her – but also verbally and emotionally abuses her, making Penny feel worthless and unwanted. Despite her rescue and happy ending, Penny’s story highlights the real-world problems of child labor, abuse, and exploitation.

An Entire Village Gets Massacred (Mulan)

Disney’s *Mulan* tackles serious issues like the limitations placed on women and the importance of family obligations. The 1998 film also realistically portrays the grim side of war. A particularly impactful scene shows Mulan and a group of soldiers discovering a destroyed village and a battlefield covered in bodies—the remains of a general’s troops. Mulan’s quiet reaction—picking up a child’s doll from the snow—is especially poignant when you consider the historical reputation of the Huns for violence and taking prisoners.

The Toys Accept Their Death (Toy Story 3)

I’ve always loved the *Toy Story* movies, but looking back, they really aren’t just fluffy fun. There are some surprisingly sad and even unsettling parts. I mean, remember Jessie’s heartbreaking song about being left behind? Or how creepy Sid was, tearing toys apart? It’s a lot more complex than it seems. But the most intense moment, for me, is definitely in *Toy Story 3*. When Woody, Buzz, and the others are facing what they think is certain death, it’s devastating. Being abandoned in that trash incinerator, and slowly realizing there was no escape… it was awful watching them accept their fate and just hold onto each other. It really felt like watching a family say goodbye. Of course, it’s a Disney movie, so they *do* get rescued, but not before completely breaking your heart.

A Stray Dog Gets Put Down (Lady and the Tramp)

Disney’s *Lady and the Tramp* is a heartwarming classic. Released in 1955, the film tells the story of Lady, a well-cared-for dog, and Tramp, a streetwise stray, as they fall in love. While mostly charming, the movie has some unsettling scenes, like a frightening encounter with a rat and moments where Lady feels unwanted. The most distressing part is when Lady ends up at the animal pound and meets other abandoned dogs. There, they witness a cheerful dog named Nutsy being led away, strongly suggesting he’s about to be put down. The scene is deeply sad, with Lady and the other dogs watching in fear, worried they’ll suffer the same fate.

Mr. Arrow Drifts Into Space (Treasure Planet)

The vastness of space offers no rescue, a chilling reality depicted in Disney’s 2002 film, *Treasure Planet*. A particularly dark moment occurs when Mr. Arrow, the first mate of the R.L.S. Legacy, is tragically pulled into a black hole during a space storm. The villainous pirate, Scroop, deliberately cuts Mr. Arrow’s lifeline, leaving him to fall helplessly into the darkness. Even more disturbing is the scientific idea of what happens next: experts believe an object falling into a black hole would be stretched and torn apart over time, a process known as “Spaghettification,” due to the extreme warping of time.

Scar Gets Eaten Alive (The Lion King)

Scar is infamous for one of the most tragic moments in Disney history: Mufasa’s death. However, the deceitful villain from the 1994 film *The Lion King* ultimately receives a harsh punishment for betraying his brother. After fighting Simba on top of Pride Rock, Scar falls and lands below, where the hyenas he used and abandoned angrily confront him. While the scene doesn’t explicitly show it, it’s strongly suggested that Scar is attacked and eaten by the very hyenas he blamed for the problems in the Pride Lands.

Clayton’s Hanging Death (Tarzan)

In the 1999 film *Tarzan*, Clayton ultimately receives a fitting punishment for his actions, though his death is still disturbing. He deceives his way onto a research expedition and then callously murders Kerchak, captures the gorillas for profit, and imprisons the Porters and Tarzan. He even attempts to kill Tarzan. Despite being cruel, treacherous, and showing no respect for life, it’s startling when he accidentally hangs himself with vines during his fight with Tarzan. The image of his body silhouetted against the jungle and the fear on his face right before the vine tightens are both deeply unsettling.

Frollo Lusts for Esmeralda (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

As a huge fan of Disney’s *The Hunchback of Notre Dame*, I’ve always appreciated how it doesn’t pull any punches, just like the original Victor Hugo novel. It really dives into tough subjects like unfairness and prejudice. And Judge Frollo? He’s easily one of Disney’s most terrifying villains ever! He’s so powerful and twisted, committing awful acts like harming the Romani people and even trying to kill a baby. There’s one scene in particular that’s incredibly intense – after trying to hurt Esmeralda, he sings this song called “Hellfire” where he admits his forbidden feelings for her and basically decides that if she won’t have him, he’ll just burn her at the stake. It’s a really disturbing moment that tackles some really heavy themes – religious hypocrisy, how he treats women, and the idea of being damned, plus it hints at some really dark stuff about what he wants. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s what makes the movie so powerful.

2025-10-09 20:00