The Faces Behind the Voices of The Simpsons, by Kate Voss

With the coming television season, The Simpsons brings their season count to 26. The show began humbly in the late eighties when cartoonist Matt Groening (who has since championed other successful animated programs including Futurama) began contributing crudely animated sketches to the all-but-forgotten Tracey Ullman Show. While the quality of the animation has improved marginally over the years, the true strength of the show has always been in the writing and the voice-acting. Not only has the show endured over a period spanning four decades, but more remarkably still: they’ve managed to retain their principal voice cast.  It is these voice actors that have helped set The Simpsons apart from the rest of the pack.As the recent 12 Day Marathon on FXX demonstrated, fans of the show are still as devoted as ever. Even though the marathon ended earlier this week, FXX is now promising to play the show for 20 hours a week (more info about local availability here). Among the 100+ characters that have appeared on the series over it’s nearly three decade lifespan, few have been outside the range of 6 principal actors. Here is a look at the esteemed performers who have breathed life into our favorite yellow-skinned family these past 25 years.Dan CastellanetaDan Castellaneta is one of the most prolific voice actors on The Simpsons, with more than 26 roles all to himself. His characters include Homer Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Mayor Quimby, Sideshow Mel, and the family pet Santa’s Little Helper. All of this work has earned Castellaneta four Emmy Awards, the most of any cast member.While his main focus has been on his Simpsons work, Castellaneta has appeared in several different television shows over the years. After being hired on as a Simpsons actor, Dan has done voice work for animated shows such as Darkwing Duck, Hey Arnold, and Futurama. His many live acting credits include L.A. Law, Arrested Development and Everybody Loves Raymond.Hank AzariaComing in a close second to Dan Castellaneta in number of characters voiced and Emmys received, is Hank Azaria. His Simpsons credits include Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Comic Book Guy, and Chief Wiggum.Besides his work on The Simpsons, Hank Azaria has appeared in numerous television and film roles. Of his television appearances, Herman’s Head (with fellow Simpsons actor Yeardly Smith), Friends and Mad About You stand as his most memorable. Castellaneta has said in interviews that he initially based Homer’s voice off of Walter Matthau’s droopy deadpan.Harry ShearerMostly known for his work on Saturday Night Live and his special collaborations with Christopher Guest and Michael McKean prior to his casting on The Simpsons, Harry Shearer has become a key voice in the Simpsons lexicon. His over 20 characters include Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, Principal Skinner, and God.His acting career began as a child, appearing with Abbott and Costello and the role of Eddie Haskell in the pilot episode of Leave It to Beaver. In 1984, Shearer co-wrote and co-starred in the satirical rockumentary This is Spinal Tap. Other film credits include A Mighty Wind, The Truman Show and the Godzilla that came out in 1998. Known as something of a Hollywood rebel, he also hosts the satirical comedy radio program Le Show. Shearer was presented with an Emmy award this year – his first – for his work on The Simpsons.Nancy CartwrightVoicing Bart Simpson is actress Nancy Cartwright. Her other Simpsons characters include Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum and occasionally baby Maggie Simpson.After training with voice acting legend Daws Butler, Cartwright continued pursuing her career in voice acting, landing roles in cartoons Richie Rich, The Critic and Rugrats. Her on screen television acting roles include hits like Empty Nest and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.She has also received accolades for her volunteer work, having been quoted saying, “Bart might say about volunteering, ‘It’s a kick in the butt.’ I am not Bart Simpson. I’m Nancy Cartwright.” She is the co-founder of Happy House, a non-profit organization in Southern California.Julie KavnerTasked with the role of voicing Marge Simpson, as well as Marge’s sisters and mother, is actress Julie Kavner. Besides her Emmy Award winning work on The Simpsons, Julie has appeared in several film and television roles. Early in her career she appeared on the television series Rhoda, where she was the poster child for young neurotic New Yorkers. In 1978 Kavner won her first Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.In addition to The Simpsons, Kavner has steadily appeared in roles for Woody Allen since the mid-80’s. She had supporting roles in the Allen films Hannah and Her Sisters, Radio Days, New York Stories, Deconstructing Harry, and Shadows and Fog. She’s said that she can slip into Marge’s voice so easily because she “has a bump on her vocal cords” which allows her to produce a gravelly drawl.Yeardley SmithRounding out America’s favorite family is actress and painter Yeardley Smith. Voicing Lisa Simpson, Smith has been a Simpsons staple since the beginning. Smith has appeared in Herman’s Head and Dharma & Greg, as well as film hits City Slickers and As Good as It Gets. She recently hinted at the fact that she would be joining the cast of ABC’s drama Revenge as a guest star for it’s fourth season.Born in France, Smith moved with her family to the United States in 1966. Beyond the realm of show business, she’s also written a children’s book and launched a line of women’s shoes called “Marchez Vous.”