The Most Obscure ‘Simpsons’ Celebrity Cameos

As of today, The Simpsons has aired an incredible 37 seasons with over 750 episodes (my counting might be a little off!). After so many years and adventures with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie, and the whole town of Springfield, it’s amazing there are still stories to tell.

After so many episodes—over 63,000!—The Simpsons has stayed interesting by consistently featuring new voices from all over the world as Springfield residents and visitors. It’s tough to get big-name celebrities for nearly 98,000 episodes, so the show has increasingly embraced wonderfully unexpected cameos, including appearances by Nobel laureates and even chess masters.

Here’s a list of 20 lesser-known celebrities who played themselves on The Simpsons. While hundreds of people have lent their voices to the show over the years, most have played made-up characters. For instance, Steve Martin didn’t appear as himself – the famous comedian and banjo player – but instead voiced the character of Ray Patterson, Springfield’s sanitation commissioner. This list focuses on those who played versions of their real selves.

The Most Random Simpsons Celebrity Cameo

John Baldessari

Okay, so this week’s Simpsons – the Season 29 episode “3 Scenes Plus a Tag From a Marriage” – was a really fun flashback! It takes us way back to Homer and Marge’s early married life, before Bart, Lisa, and Maggie came along. Turns out Marge was a reporter, and they even worked in a cameo from real-life conceptual artist John Baldessari. But the real treat was J.K. Simmons! He’s playing a newspaper editor – brilliantly channeling his J. Jonah Jameson energy as ‘JJ Gruff’ – who’s completely obsessed with Spider-Man. Kevin Pollak also pops up. It’s a clever episode, especially if you’re a fan of Simmons’ work. Definitely a highlight of the season so far!

Sal Bando

In the 17th season, episode 20 of The Simpsons, titled “Regarding Margie,” the show brought in some real baseball legends. Members of the 1974 Oakland Athletics World Series team—including Gene Tenace and team captain Sal Bando—make an appearance. Bando famously exclaims, “Look! That guy remembers us!” The Simpsons has a history of featuring lesser-known sports figures, like Steve Sax, throughout its run.

Dr Joyce Brothers

This episode, “Last Exit to Springfield,” features Dr. Joyce Brothers, a famous personality who gained recognition in the 1950s after winning the game show The $64,000 Question. She became a popular TV psychologist and appears in this episode as a commentator.

Magnus Carlsen

In the episode “The Cad and the Hat” (Season 28, Episode 17), The Simpsons continues its tradition of playfully satirizing various worlds by bringing in experts as guest stars. This time, chess champion Magnus Carlsen appears after Homer takes up the game, leading to humorous moments and some surprisingly emotional family revelations.

Daniel Clowes

The episode, titled “Husbands and Knives” (Season 19, Episode 7), features a storyline about a new comic book store opening in Springfield. This brings several famous comic creators onto the show to play themselves, including Alan Moore (writer of Watchmen), Art Spiegelman (Maus), and Daniel Clowes, known for his graphic novel Ghost World. It’s definitely one of the most awkward and unusual cameo appearances in the show’s history!

Gerry Cooney

This episode, titled “$pringfield (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling),” is from Season 5. While I didn’t grow up knowing boxer Gerry Cooney, I remember him appearing as himself in this episode, welcoming people to Mr. Burns’ casino after Springfield legalized gambling. It’s a perfect bit of casting, capturing a specific moment in time – I also didn’t experience Vegas like it was then, but it feels spot-on. Robert Goulet also makes a cameo as himself in this one.

Helen Fielding

In the episode “A Star Is Born Again” (Season 14, Episode 13), Marisa Tomei guest stars as a movie star who starts dating Ned Flanders. The episode features a book club meeting where Tomei’s character discusses Bridget Jones’ Diary. Surprisingly, none of the members had actually read the book, so she invited the author, Helen Fielding, to join them. Fielding quickly becomes frustrated, commenting that Americans don’t appreciate British humor, and then dramatically exits in a scene reminiscent of the classic Benny Hill show.

Brian Grazer

This episode, “When You Dish Upon a Star” (Season 10, Episode 5), features a guest appearance by Brian Grazer, the longtime producing partner of director Ron Howard at Imagine Entertainment. While well-known in the film industry, Grazer isn’t a household name, but that hasn’t stopped him from appearing on The Simpsons twice – once in this episode and again in Season 20’s “Lost Verizon.” Apparently, when The Simpsons needs a movie producer to play a movie producer, Brian Grazer is their go-to guy, and they captured his look perfectly!

Bret Hart

In the eighth season episode, “The Old Man and the Lisa,” wrestling legend Bret “The Hitman” Hart appears as a new owner of Mr. Burns’ mansion after Burns is forced to sell it. It’s safe to assume Hart got a great deal on the property!

Chick Hearn

Let’s talk about how long The Simpsons has been on television. It’s been on the air so long that Chick Hearn, the famous Los Angeles Lakers announcer, actually appeared as himself in an early episode. And considering Chick Hearn passed away nearly 25 years ago, that really puts the show’s longevity into perspective.

Dudley Herschbach

In the fourteenth “Treehouse of Horror” episode (Season 15, Episode 1), Professor Frink receives a Nobel Prize – presented by none other than Nobel laureate Dudley Herschbach and actress Jennifer Garner! If you’re not familiar with Dudley Herschbach, you should be – he’s a renowned chemist.

Bill James

In the Season 22 episode of The Simpsons called “MoneyBart,” legendary baseball statistician Bill James makes a cameo. Lisa seeks information about baseball and is directed to James’ Wikipedia page by a group of enthusiasts, where a recording of him jokes that he’s made watching baseball as enjoyable as doing your taxes.

Jasper Johns

In the episode “Mom and Pop Art” (Season 10, Episode 19), Homer unexpectedly becomes a modern artist. This leads him to mingle with figures from the art world, like Jasper Johns, who is spotted enjoying the complimentary snacks at an art gallery.

Tom Kite

In the episode “Scenes From the Class Struggle in Springfield,” Marge gets the family invited to the Springfield Country Club. Homer gets golf lessons from professional golfer Tom Kite, who playfully scolds Homer for taking his clubs, warning him to stay away from his locker. It’s a funny bit from the real-life PGA Tour pro!

Evan Marriott

This episode, “The Regina Monologues” (Season 15, Episode 4), features a humorous take on celebrity culture. When the Simpsons are in London’s West End, they’re surprised to see American stars in classic plays. For example, Joe Millionaire – the reality TV contestant who pretended to be a wealthy bachelor but was actually a construction worker – is starring in Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. The episode jokes that his theater is right next door to where Urkel is performing in Othello.

Paul McGuinness

In the Simpsons episode “Trash of the Titans” (Season 9, Episode 22), the security guard who yells at Homer when he’s disguised as “Potato Man” is actually Paul McGuinness, U2’s long-time manager. Using the real manager added authenticity to the scene, as anyone else wouldn’t have felt right.

Robert Pinsky

I’ll never forget first reading about the episode “Little Girl in the Big Ten” in TV Guide. I literally exclaimed out loud, when I saw that U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky was involved, “Yes! This is going to be great!”

George Plimpton

The episode, titled “I’m Spelling As Fast as I Can” (Season 14, Episode 12), features a guest appearance by writer George Plimpton. The episode playfully references the film Requiem for a Dream, and includes a funny bit where Plimpton hosts a spelling bee while also advertising his own brand of hot plates. (I’d definitely be a customer if he actually sold them!)

Merl Reagle

In the Simpsons episode “Homer and Lisa Exchange Cross Words” (Season 20, Episode 6), the show featured a crossword puzzle theme. They even included cameos by renowned puzzle creator Merl Reagle and New York Times crossword editor Will Shortz. The episode playfully asks: what’s a nine-letter word for satisfying people’s desires, even if it’s not the best advice?

Tom Savini

In the episode “Worst Episode Ever” (Season 12, Episode 11), Lisa sees an ad for a show by special effects master Tom Savini at the comic book store. Marge explains that Savini is famous for his work on horror classics like Creepshow, Friday the 13th, and Dawn of the Dead. The show itself is bizarre: Savini simply eats a French fry and then dramatically explodes on stage, covering the audience in fake blood.

The people listed below all appeared as themselves on The Simpsons. While their cartoon versions were sometimes a bit odd—and famously had only four fingers—they were clearly based on real people. No matter what they accomplish, they’ll always be associated with the town of Springfield.

‘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, in the episode “Lisa’s First Word.” Surprisingly, that first word – “Daddy!” – was spoken by none other than Elizabeth Taylor! Over the years, other actors have contributed to Maggie’s baby sounds, including Yeardley Smith, who voices Lisa, and Nancy Cartwright, who voices Bart. Even the series creator, Matt Groening, and early producer Gábor Csupó got involved, recording all of Maggie’s pacifier-sucking sounds.

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 creators reportedly found Latta difficult to work with (he also recorded lines for Moe, but they weren’t used). After a few months, Harry Shearer took over the role, re-recording Mr. Burns’ lines from the beginning of the series.

Milhouse Van Houten

Pamela Hayden and Kelly Macleod have voiced characters on The Simpsons. For over 30 years, Pamela Hayden played multiple roles, most notably Milhouse, but she retired in fall 2024. Kelly Macleod will now be the voice of 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 in the show. In addition to other roles, Pamela Hayden originally voiced Rod Flanders, Ned Flanders’ innocent son. Later, Chris Edgerly took over the role. Nancy Cartwright voices Rod’s brother, Todd.

Martin Prince

Martin Prince, the bookish student from The Simpsons, has become a beloved character since the show began. He was originally voiced by the talented Russi Taylor, who sadly passed away in 2019 after fighting cancer. Now, Grey DeLisle expertly provides Martin’s voice. Interestingly, Russi Taylor also voiced Minnie Mouse and was married to Wayne Allwine, the voice of Mickey Mouse – a unique bit of Disney history!

Sherri and Terri

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

Lunchlady Doris/Dora

The character of Lunchlady Doris from The Simpsons was originally voiced by Doris Grau, starting in 1991. After Grau’s passing in 1995, the character disappeared from major storylines for over a decade, though she occasionally appeared 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 Doris Grau.

Dr. Hibbert

Harry Shearer and Kevin Michael Richardson provide the voice work. Starting in the early 2020s, The Simpsons made a change: characters of color who were previously voiced by white actors are now voiced by actors of color. For instance, Dr. Julius Hibbert, a Springfield doctor, was originally voiced by Harry Shearer. Now, Kevin Michael Richardson, a versatile voice actor known for roles like the Joker and Jabba the Hutt, voices the character.

Carl

Carl Carlson, Homer’s coworker at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, has been voiced by multiple actors. Harry Shearer originally played the role when Carl first appeared. 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. Désert took over voicing Officer Lou, a somewhat clumsy police officer who often works with Chief Wiggum and Officer Eddie on cases in Springfield. Azaria continues to voice Chief Wiggum, while Harry Shearer voices Officer Eddie.

Bumblebee Man

Bumblebee Man, a popular character on the show, is now voiced by Eric Lopez. Previously, Hank Azaria voiced the character, whose real name is Pedro Chespirito. Lopez first played Bumblebee Man in the October 2020 episode, “Now Museum, Now You Don’t.”

2026-01-13 21:02