7 Simpsons Characters Who Are Nothing Like Their First Appearance

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The Simpsons is famous for its memorable characters, but some have changed significantly over the show’s many seasons. While the show mainly tells self-contained stories, certain plotlines have dramatically altered the personalities, histories, and overall development of a few characters in Springfield.

Since it first aired in December 1989, The Simpsons has become a television institution, releasing 799 episodes over 37 seasons. As of today, the show is still going strong, with a planned 800th episode scheduled for February 17, 2025, and even more seasons and a second movie in development. Over the years, the show has featured countless characters, and some of the main ones have changed significantly since we first met them. Here are seven characters who have undergone the most noticeable transformations.

7) Waylon Smithers

I’m a huge Simpsons fan, and I always find it fascinating to learn about the characters’ origins. Did you know that Smithers, Mr. Burns’ devoted assistant, actually looked very different when he first appeared? While we heard his voice in the very first episode, he didn’t actually show up until season one, episode three, “Homer’s Odyssey.” It’s wild looking back at that episode – he had much darker skin and bright blue hair! It’s amazing how much a character can evolve over time, but Smithers’ dedication to Mr. Burns has always stayed the same.

Smithers hasn’t just undergone a visual transformation; his role on The Simpsons has changed significantly too. For many years, the character was built around the trope of a man secretly attracted to the same sex. Jokes often hinted at his sexuality, but it was never explicitly confirmed. That changed in season 27 with the episode “The Burns Cage,” when Smithers publicly came out, completely altering the long-held mystery surrounding his character.

6) Chief Wiggum

Clancy Wiggum, the Chief of Police in Springfield, is a classic example of a clumsy, ineffective cop, and like many characters on The Simpsons, he’s evolved over time. His look has even changed – he originally had blue hair, then it turned black, and eventually went back to blue. Initially, Wiggum was portrayed as a dishonest officer, but the show later focused more on his general laziness than on any wrongdoing.

5) Ned Flanders

Ned Flanders has lived next door to Homer Simpson since The Simpsons began, and his character has evolved quite a bit over the years. He originally represented the perfect family man, serving as a contrast to the Simpsons. However, the show has increasingly focused on his strong religious beliefs, while episodes like “Huricane Neddy” have revealed hidden depths to his personality.

The biggest example of a character changing over time on The Simpsons is arguably Ned Flanders. In fact, the term ‘Flanderization’ – which describes when a character is reduced to their most obvious personality trait – actually comes from his character. Flanders went from being a relatively normal, though religious, neighbor to an extremely exaggerated and stereotypical religious figure, and that shift is what this trend is named after.

4) Nelson Muntz

Nelson Muntz is a classic school bully who often picks on Bart and Lisa at Springfield Elementary. He first showed up in the episode “Bart the General” from season one, where Bart teams up with his grandpa to stand up to him.

Nelson Muntz has undergone a surprising transformation on The Simpsons. Initially presented as a simple bully, he’s evolved into a much more complex and sympathetic character. The show now frequently explores the difficult circumstances of his upbringing and his family’s financial struggles, offering insight into his behavior. This development was highlighted when Nelson even became Lisa’s boyfriend in season 8, demonstrating his capacity for romance beyond just being a troublemaker.

3) Principal Skinner

Seymour Skinner is the long-time principal of Springfield Elementary. Despite his consistent personality and look throughout The Simpsons, his backstory has undergone a major revision. In the episode “The Principal and the Pauper,” it was revealed that his claimed history wasn’t true, making it a famously debated and controversial installment of the show.

Surprisingly, Seymour Skinner isn’t his real name – it’s actually Armin Tamzarian. He met the real Seymour Skinner while serving in the army, and Skinner disappeared after the war. Armin then returned home and essentially took over Skinner’s life, assuming his identity and becoming the school principal. While this backstory hasn’t been officially changed, The Simpsons generally avoids acknowledging it now, only occasionally making brief jokes about the reveal.

2) Ralph Wiggum

Chief Wiggum has evolved over the years on The Simpsons, but his son Ralph has changed even more. When Ralph first appeared in the show’s very first episode, as part of the holiday performance, he seemed like a typical kid. But compared to his later school performances, he’s almost unrecognizable – like a completely different character!

I’ve been watching this character, Ralph, for a while now, and it’s been interesting to see his evolution. At first, he seemed a little slow on the uptake, but over the seasons, they’ve really taken that trait and run with it – to the point where it feels like they’ve completely exaggerated it. Now, he mostly just says random, out-of-place things, and honestly, he’s become so bizarre he barely feels like a real person anymore. It’s a shame, because that initial bit of cluelessness was charming, but now it’s just… a lot.

1) Lisa Simpson

Lisa Simpson is now famous for being well-behaved, but she wasn’t always this way. In the early seasons of The Simpsons, she was much more like her mischievous brother, Bart, and they often found themselves in trouble together. Over time, Lisa became known for her strong political beliefs and often acted far beyond her years. Her adoption of veganism and Buddhism were significant turning points in her character, but many fans feel that recent episodes have changed her so much that she’s almost unrecognizable from the Lisa we first met.

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2025-12-09 18:20