Who Voices Which Character on 'The Simpsons'?

Some actors portray more than a dozen characters each

The Simpsons

 Tomchen1989/seeklogo.com

The cast members of "The Simpsons" were veteran voice-over actors even before bringing to life our favorite dysfunctional cartoon family on prime time's longest-running comedy. Each brings unique talents to every episode. In fact, they're so versatile that you might not even know which actor does which voice.

01
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Proving Their Value

(L-R) cast members Nancy Cartwright, Hank ... executive producer Al Jean, creator and executive producer Matt Groening and cast member Yeardley Smith at THE SIMPSONS 400TH EPISODE BLOCK PARTY on the Fox Lot in Los Angeles, CA. Tuesday, May 8, 2007.
©2007 FOX BROADCASTING

"The Simpsons" cast made headlines in 1998 and 2004 when they went on strike during contract negotiations. The actors were demanding more money per episode, while the network wanted to slash their pay. The actors pointed out that "The Simpsons" is a multibillion-dollar industry including merchandising and syndication. Eventually, the cast won the argument. In 2011, a new tension brewed during contract negotiations, but the dispute was resolved. Each cast member makes well into six figures for each episode.

02
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Dan Castellaneta

Cast member Dan Castellaneta at The Simpsons Stamp Ceremony
CR: Michael Yarish/FOX ©2009

Dan Castellaneta voices a number of characters on "The Simpsons," including the star of the show, Homer Simpson. He has appeared in other TV shows, such as "Bones," and has won four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance on "The Simpsons."

Character voices Castellaneta has played include:

  • Homer Simpson
  • Grampa Abraham Simpson
  • Barney Gumble
  • Krusty the Clown
  • Groundskeeper Willie
  • Mayor Quimby
  • Hans Moleman
  • Sideshow Mel
  • Itchy
  • Kodos
  • Gil
  • Poochie
  • Squeaky-Voiced Teen
  • Mr. Burn's Lawyer
  • Mr. Teeny (Krusty's monkey)
  • Bill Clinton
03
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Nancy Cartwright

Nancy Cartwright
FOX

Nancy Cartwright grew up in Dayton, Ohio, before moving to Los Angeles, where legendary voice actor Daws Butler coached her into the voice-over actress she is today. She wrote "My Life As a 10-Year-Old Boy" a book about her career and the impact "The Simpsons" has had on her life.

Nancy has voiced dozens of characters over the years, including Rufus on "Kim Possible" and Chuckie on "Rugrats." In 1992 she won an Emmy for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for her work as Bart in "Separate Vocations."

Characters Nancy has voiced include:

  • Bart Simpson
  • Nelson Muntz
  • Ralph Wiggum
  • Todd Flanders
  • Kearney
  • Database
04
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Julie Kavner

Julie Kavner
Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic

Julie Kavner had already made a name for herself as a comedic actress on "Rhoda" before signing on to "The Simpsons." In 1992, she won an Emmy for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance.

The three characters Julie has voiced are:

  • Marge Simpson
  • Patty Bouvier
  • Selma Bouvier
05
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Yeardley Smith

Cast member Yeardley Smith and the city of Springfield, OR celebrates THE SIMPSONS 25th Anniversary
CR: Craig Strobeck/FOX

Yeardley Smith is one of two actresses on "The Simpsons" to perform only one character. She does the voice of Lisa Simpson and won an Emmy in 1992 for "Lisa the Greek." She also found success in live-action TV shows such as "Dharma & Greg" and ​"Herman's Head" and movies such as "City Slickers" and "As Good As It Gets."

06
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Hank Azaria

"The Simpsons" cast member Hank Azaria arrives at the yellow carpet for THE SIMPSONS 400TH EPISODE BLOCK PARTY
CR:Carin Baer/FOX

Hank Azaria is a busy man who has starred in dozens of films and TV shows in addition to the stable of characters he voices on "The Simpsons." He is most recognized for "The Smurfs," "Huff," "Night at the Museum," and "The Birdcage."

He has won three Emmys for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance on ​"The Simpsons" as well as an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie in "Tuesdays with Morrie" in 2000.

Hank has voiced:

  • Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
  • Moe Szyslak
  • Chief Clancy Wiggum
  • Comic Book Guy
  • Carl
  • Dr. Nick Riviera
  • Capt. McCallister
  • Superintendent Chalmers
  • Professor Frink
  • Cletus
  • Bumblebee Man
  • Snake
  • Kirk Van Houten
  • Drederick Tatum
  • Pyro (aka Chase)
07
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Harry Shearer

Harry Shearer visits the The Drop at The GRAMMY Museum on October 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

Harry Shearer is a talented interviewer, talking with folks for his radio show, and is famous for his role of Derek Smalls in "This Is Spinal Tap." He also starred in "A Mighty Wind." On "The Simpsons" he plays some of the biggest characters in Springfield. In 2014, he finally won an Emmy Award for Best Voice-Over Performance.

Characters he has voiced include:

  • C. Montgomery Burns
  • Waylon Smithers
  • Ned Flanders
  • Principal Skinner
  • Reverend Lovejoy
  • Dr. Julius Hibbert
  • Kent Brockman
  • Scratchy
  • Otto
  • Jasper
  • Lenny
  • Wolfcastle/McBain
  • Kang
  • Herman
  • George Bush
  • Judge Snyder
08
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Pamela Hayden

Pamela Hayden
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Pamela Hayden can pitch her voice to play young boys or pleasant women. She is heard in other cartoons than "The Simpsons," such as "Hey Arnold!" and "Aaahh!!! Real Monsters."

Characters Pamela has voiced include:

  • Milhouse Van Houten
  • Rod Flanders
  • Janey Powell
  • Jimbo Jones
  • Malibu Stacy
  • Sarah Wiggum
09
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Marcia Wallace

Marcia Wallace
Angela Weiss/Getty Images

Marcia Wallace was wonderful as the cynical, sarcastic, sexy Edna Krabappel on "The Simpsons" and won an Emmy in 1992 for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance. She was already known for her roles in live-action TV shows such as "The Bob Newhart Show" and "The Young and the Restless."

Sadly, she died on Oct. 26, 2013, and Edna Krabappel was retired from the show. "The Simpsons" acknowledged Wallace's death in "Four Regrettings and a Funeral" when Bart's chalkboard gag in the opening sequence was a single line: "We'll really miss you, Mrs. K." Also, in "The Man Who Grew Too Much," Ned Flanders is seen wearing a black armband and mourning Edna, whose portrait joined that of Maude Flanders, who died on the show.​