The Simpsons’ Greatest Characters: A Definitive Ranking

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With its unique style, The Simpsons revolutionized television by creating cartoon characters that felt more real and relatable than many actors. It was also consistently hilarious. The show is filled with memorable characters – from the Simpson family itself to a huge cast of supporting favorites – and boasts more iconic TV personalities than you could fit in a list twenty times this long.

Even as The Simpsons has aged, it continues to stand out for its incredibly well-developed characters – something no other animated comedy can match. Over its 37 seasons, the show has given us some of the funniest and most memorable cartoon characters ever.

The most memorable Simpsons episodes feature characters we genuinely connect with – people we want to support and enjoy laughing with, not just at. The show hasn’t been perfect – some past portrayals, like the character of Apu, and plot changes, like the backstory of Principal Skinner, haven’t aged well. However, The Simpsons still boasts some of the most well-developed and beloved characters on television.

It was tough to narrow down the list, and many beloved characters didn’t quite make the cut! We want to give a shout-out to some honorable mentions who’ve all contributed to the show’s greatness: Barney Gumble, Troy McClure, Ralph Wiggum, Maggie, Grampa and Mona Simpson, Kent Brockman, Bleeding Gums Murphy, Helen Lovejoy, Santa’s Little Helper, Itchy & Scratchy, Hank Scorpio, Frank Grimes, and countless others.

20. Mr. Smithers

Voiced By Harry Shearer

Waylon Smithers, Mr. Burns’ devoted assistant, consistently proves to be a hilarious character on The Simpsons. As seen in the recent episode “Bottle Episode” from season 36, and going all the way back to moments like his envious actions towards Homer in “Simpson and Delilah” and his coming out in season 27, Smithers has been a vital and funny part of the show throughout its entire run.

19. Hans Moleman

Voiced By Dan Castellaneta

Hans Moleman is one of the greatest side characters in cartoon history, providing some of the funniest moments in The Simpsons. He perfectly embodies the show’s silly, unpredictable humor, often finding himself in incredibly unfortunate and bizarre situations. But he’s most remembered for one iconic line: “I was saying Boo-urns.” You do you, Hans.

18. Mayor Quimby

Voiced By Dan Castellaneta

Dan Castellaneta voices more characters on The Simpsons than any other actor. While he’s famous as the voice of Homer Simpson, you wouldn’t immediately recognize him as Mayor Quimby. That’s because Castellaneta’s Kennedy impression is so strong, he gives Quimby a completely unique and separate personality from all the other characters.

17. Nelson Muntz

Voiced By Nancy Cartwright

If Nelson Muntz had his own show like Bart Simpson did in the early 90s, he’d probably become just as popular. While he’s known as the school bully who famously enjoys others’ misfortune, Nelson is also a surprisingly sympathetic character with a difficult background, making him almost a tragic hero.

16. Lionel Hutz

Voiced By Phil Hartman

I truly believe Phil Hartman’s work on The Simpsons is legendary, and while Troy McClure is often highlighted – and deservedly so, it’s heartbreaking considering his career was cut short – for me, Lionel Hutz is his absolute best. He was just brilliantly sleazy and hilariously bad at his job, this lawyer who, despite constantly messing things up, the Simpsons just kept trusting! It was comedy gold.

15. Dr. Nick Riviera

Voiced By Hank Azaria

Dr. Nick Riviera is responsible for many of the funniest sight gags in The Simpsons. Despite being a terrible doctor – like the incompetent lawyer Lionel Hutz or a surgeon who sews a watch into a patient – Dr. Nick remains surprisingly likable, even as he completely ignores medical ethics.

14. Moe Szyslak

Voiced By Hank Azaria

Moe Szyslak is an important supporting character in the Simpson family’s world, mainly known as Homer’s go-to source for Duff beer. However, some of the best episodes featuring Moe focus on his relationships with the other Simpsons, like his surprising connection with Marge and his inability to realize Bart is the one constantly playing pranks on him.

13. Principal Skinner

Voiced By Harry Shearer

Principal Seymour Skinner started on The Simpsons as a very strict and serious school principal, but he quickly became a much more complex character. He’s best known for his hilarious moments, like his famous exchange with Superintendent Chalmers, which perfectly showcase his defining trait: a comical level of cowardice that undermines his authority.

12. Ned Flanders

Voiced By Harry Shearer

Ned Flanders is one of the most well-developed characters in the history of The Simpsons. Despite all his growth, he’s always remained consistently cheerful and holier-than-thou, especially when dealing with Homer’s constant teasing – and that’s what makes him so funny.

11. Patty Bouvier

Voiced By Julie Kavner

Honestly, some of the funniest lines in The Simpsons come from Marge’s sisters, Patty and Selma. They’re so cynical and just always have something cutting to say about Homer, which is hilarious. I think Patty is the quicker wit of the two, and it was really cool when she came out in season 16 – it’s led to some surprisingly interesting storylines since then.

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2025-11-24 17:20