The Simpsons lost an important cast member. The long-running animated comedy, which originally debuted in 1989, follows the exploits of the titular family, which includes gruff patriarch Homer (Dan Castellaneta), loving mother Marge (Julie Kavner), bratty son Bart (Nancy Cartwright), precocious eldest daughter. Lisa (Yeardley Smith) and her daughter Maggie. The show, which continues with the ongoing The Simpsons Season 36 also includes a vast roster of supporting characters voiced by actors like Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer.
Put Deadline, Pamela Hayden will retire from The Simpsons from the November 24th episode Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes. His roles on the series included Bart’s iconic, nerdy best friend Milhouse, Ned’s neighbor’s son Rod Flanders, police chief Clancy Wiggum’s wife Sarah Wiggum, bully Jimbo Jones, and more. Their roles will be recast in future episodes. Read his statement about his retirement below:
It’s time to hang up the mic, but how can I say goodbye to The Simpsons? It was an honor and a joy to have worked on such a funny, witty and innovative show, and to voice Milhouse and Jimbo Jones, Rod Flanders, Janey, Malibu Stacy and many others… I will always have a special place in my heart for that 10 year old boy with blue hair and glasses
Below, read additional statements about your retirement from show 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 called him Milhouse because it was the most unfortunate name a child could have. Pamela gave us a lot of laughs with Milhouse, the unhappy boy with the biggest nose in Springfield. She made Milhouse hilarious and real, and we will miss her. Al-Jean: [We loved Milhouse because] most writers are more like Milhouse than Bart. James L. Brooks: She is a model of great spirit for all the casts she has been a part of. We will miss her.
Also check out a thank you video posted by Fox’s Animation Domination YouTube channel:
What does this mean for The Simpsons
Hayden’s revamp wasn’t necessarily a given
Pamela Hayden Simpsons Characters being recast was not a guarantee. Some characters were retired along with the departure of their voice actorsespecially when those actors passed away. These include 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 before his murder in 1998.
However, a precedent was also created for reformulating Simpsons characters, for several 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 Gray DeLisle since the death of original star Russi Taylor and Moe and Mr. Burns were 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’s played the role, it makes sense that The Simpsons chose to recast the important supporting role, as it is essential to stories centered on Bart and Lisa. In fact, it’s entirely possible that replacements for their characters, particularly Milhouse, have already been found. The farewell video was prepared and unlisted on YouTube a month ago, showing that the producers have been aware of his departure for some time and may have already discreetly searched for the next Milhouse.
Source: Deadline