The Simpsonshas lost a major cast member. The long-running animated sitcom, which originally premiered in 1989, follows the exploits of the titular family, which includes crude patriarch Homer (Dan Castellaneta), loving mother Marge (Julie Kavner), bratty son Bart (Nancy Cartwright), precocious eldest daughter Lisa (Yeardley Smith), and baby daughter Maggie. The show, which is continuing with the ongoingThe Simpsonsseason 36, also includes a vast roster of supporting characters voiced by actors including Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer.
PerDeadline,Pamela Hayden will be retiring fromThe Simpsonsas of November 24’s episodeTreehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes. Her roles on the series included Bart’s iconic, nerdy best friend Milhouse, the neighbor Ned’s son Rod Flanders, the chief of police Clancy Wiggum’s wife Sarah Wiggum, the bully Jimbo Jones, and more. Her roles will be recast in future episodes. Read her statement on her retirement below:
The time has come for me to hang up my microphone, but how do I say goodbye to The Simpsons?……not easily. It’s been an honor and a joy to have worked on such a funny, witty, and groundbreaking show, and to give voice to Milhouse and Jimbo Jones, Rod Flanders, Janey, Malibu Stacy, and many others… I’ll always have a special place in my heart for that blue-haired 10-year-old boy with glasses
Below,read additional statements on her retirementfrom the show’s creator Matt Groening, and executive producers Al Jean and James L. Brooks:
Matt Groening:Bart needed someone to talk to in the school cafeteria. We named him Milhouse because that was the most unfortunate name a kid could have. Pamela gave us tons of laughs with Milhouse, the hapless kid with the biggest nose in Springfield. She made Milhouse hilarious and real, and we will miss her.Al Jean:[We loved Milhouse because] most of the writers are more like Milhouse than Bart.James L. Brooks:She is a model for having a great spirit for every cast she has been a part of. We will miss her.
Alsocheck out a thank you videoposted by Fox’s Animation Domination YouTube channel:
What This Means For The Simpsons
Hayden’s Recasting Was Not Necessarily A Given
Pamela Hayden’sSimpsonscharactersbeing recast was not a guarantee.Some characters have been retired alongside the departure of their voice actors, particularly when those actors have passed away. This includes teacher Edna Krabappel, who was voiced by Marcia Wallace before her death from pneumonia and sepsis in 2013, as well as faded actor Troy McClure and lawyer Lionel Hutz, who were voiced by Phil Hartman prior to his murder in 1998.
Some of Pamela Hayden’s other credited roles onThe Simpsonsare Amber, Janey Powell, Patches, Malibu Stacy, E-Mail, Ham, and Titania.
However, there has also been a precedent set forrecastingSimpsonscharacters, for a variety of reasons. This includes Harry Shearer being replaced by Kevin Michael Richardson as Dr. Hibbert and Hank Azaria being replaced by Alex Désert as Carl Carlson amid concerns about having white actors voice characters of color. Additionally,Martin Prince has been voiced by Grey DeLisle since the death of original star Russi Taylorand Moe and Mr. Burns have been voiced by Azaria and Shearer respectively since original actor Christopher Collins left the series early in its run.
Our Take On Pamela Hayden’s Retirement
The Simpsons Will Be Very Different Without Her
While Hayden’s retirement will make future episodes featuring Milhouse feel different given how long she has played the role, it makes sense thatThe Simpsonshas opted to recast the important supporting role, as he is key to storylines centered around both Bart and Lisa. In fact, it is entirely possible that the replacement performers for her characters, particularly Milhouse, have already been found. The goodbye video has been prepared and unlisted on YouTube for a month, showing that theproducers have been aware of her departure for some timeand may have already quietly sought out the next Milhouse.
The Simpsons
Cast
The Simpsons is an animated series set in the fictional town of Springfield, following the daily lives of the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Premiering in 1989, the show is renowned for its satirical commentary on politics, media, and American culture, featuring numerous celebrity guest appearances.
