The Simpsons has become a world phenomenon, with merchandise, television shows (19 seasons), and a movie. The characters are loved by young and old and many turns of phrase coined by the show have entered common use in English – for example: Doh!
Rather than presenting a list of the main characters, this is the supporting characters – the “people” that provide the backdrop for the hilarious antics of the Simpson family.
Principal Skinner who’s real name is Armen Tanzarian is the man in charge at Springfield Elementary. He tries very hard to keep control of the school while kissing superintendent Chalmer’s butt. However one mysterious student named El Barto will not let Skinner’s job be so easy. If that were not hard enough he has to deal with his overbearing mother every night and if he makes her mad he won’t be allowed to go antiquing with her.
notable episode: Sweet Seymour Skinner’s Badasss song
Comic book guy is the overweight proprietor of the local comic book store, The Android’s Dungeon. He enjoys marshmallow peeps and watching Sci Fi marathons and then broadcasting negative opinions via the internet.
notable episode: Worst Episode Ever
Nelson is the school bully at springfield Elementary. His favorite things to do are to pick on nerds and say “ha ha” when something bad happens to someone else. Once in a while Nelson will be friendly to the local nerds but that is only to lure them into a false sense of security.
notable episode: Sleeping with the Enemy
Ralph is a lovable dumb kid who happens to be the son of the chief of police. Some of Ralph’s career high lights are playing George Washington in a school play, being mistaken as a pumpkin during the hurricane and winning the school panorama contest with his unopened Star Wars action figures and then promptly breaking his wookie.
notable episode: I love Lisa
Smithers is the male apprentice to Mr. Burns, and he loves his job very much. Although Smithers is morally opposed to the many evil things his boss does, he loves him too much to let him know. Smithers is also an avid collector of Malibu Stacy dolls.
notable episode: Homer the Smithers
Chief Wiggum is the local police chief and he takes his job very seriously… just kidding! Wiggum is a portly, pig snouted cop who believes the law is powerless to help people but not to arrest them.
notable episode: Pranksta Rap
Apu is the owner and operator of the Kwik E Mart. He is of Indian descent. His hobbies are working and selling overpriced goods. Apu and his wife have eight children. His favorite saying is “Thank you come again”.
notable episode: Homer and Apu
Krusty is the sleaziest, most foul mouthed clown on T.V. and he happens to be the idol of Bart Simpson. Krusty is a jewish clown who always loved to make people laugh unfortunately his Rabbi father disapproved and disowned him for his career, but thanks to Bart and Lisa they were able to come to terms. Krusty is famous for his signature greeting “hey hey”.
notable episode: Krusty gets Kancelled
Moe is the local booze jockey of his own bar, Moe’s. Moe is a very ugly guy who can never seem to find the right woman. This could be because he is rude, crude and most of all really ugly.
notable episode: Flaming Moe’s
Flanders is the religious nut, neighbor of the Simpsons. Homer considers Flanders to be his worst enemy but Flanders considers Homer to be his best friend. Flanders is the nicest guy in Springfield but is usually the doormat of his neighbor, Homer, but Flanders loves God too much to hate his neighbor. Flanders is most popular for his effervescent hello “hi-didly-ho neighborino”
Contributor: MPW
What, no Mr. Burns.
since they had smithers, they might be including him as a regular character..
I too was surprised by Mr. Burns lackage, but I must say, there are a million characters that belong on this list, and to keep it down to ten, you did a great job.
Groundskeeper Willie?
“The lads are angry, and they’ve been drinking all day!”
Okely Dokely, well what a great list. Ralph and comic book guy are for sure my faves. Only additions I have . . . Lenny and Carl
very good list
Hands down, the long-legged guy.
”Do you think that it’s easy for me to drive this car?”
Ah, The Simpsons. The second greatest show of all time (behind Seinfeld). IMO, EVERY character on the Simpsons is awesome. Anyone notice there is some real bizarre stuff going on between Lenny and Carl?
Anywho, MPW you’re going to get butchered here by many for not including Mr. Burns, so just don’t take it personally.
I would have liked to had a quote from each character though.
whoa whoa whoa…..no mr. burns?
when i didn’t see him in 10-2, i assumed he HAD to be #1….but hes not on there at all? craziness…
in all honesty i think he’s the supporting character who’s had the most impact on the simpsons family over the years
Ralph should have been number one. He’s the funniest character on the show, period. I’d also liked to have seen Mr. Burns make the list. He’s better than Smithers. And Skinner is better than Comic Book Guy. Otto is better than Comic Book Guy too… I like the idea behind this post but I don’t agree with any of it.
Ralph is amazing in small doses. How can you not love “You choo choo choose me?” or “Me fail English? Thats unpossible!”
Good list, but Comic Book Guy should have been number one. He has become ingrained into the popular cultural more than any other supporting character.
Also you made a small mistake. Ralph won a diorama contest, not a panorama contest.
I’d like to see the laughing Dr.Hibbert, and dear old… really old Mr.Burns.. otherwise a “Ha Ha”-list!
Haha, fantastic list. I love Ned
!
I wish Burns and Barney were here.
Kirk Van Houten!!!!!!
Professor Frink!!!
1)Duff Man
2)Abe Simpson
3)Martin
4)Patty and Selma
5)TROY McCLURE!
6)Carl and Lenny
7)Milhouse
8)Barney
…I know that’s a lot of people, but they are memorable supporting characters.
Cool list. I don’t really have a favorite, they’re just all so cool in their own particular way! And I agree with the Mr. Burns neglect.
I think a Top 20 could have been done… or more!?
Anyways, I think The Simpsons is waaaaay past its prime… but what are you gonna do, it’s the Simpsons for Jebus’ sake!
Who doesn’t love The Simpsons? If you find anyone, shoot them promptly; they are woefully lacking in either intelligence or humor.
(I actually know a few folks who don’t *get* it. Weaker members of the gene pool, and they already reproduced, damn)
You could have put Mr. Burns and Smithers together. They are joined at the hip; or at least Smithers wishes they were.
Kudos to Courtney for mentioning Troy McClure, Milhouse, and the rest of the notable omissions.
also poochie
ZE GOGGLES, ZEY DO NOTHING!
Correction: Apu is not of Indian descent. He IS Indian. Now a citizen, I believe, but still, born in India.
Kreachure: A top 100 might be even better!
.
It’s simple. All Simpsons characters rock. No other cartoon show is as good!
i think u should have done top 15 at least. what happened to snake,or milhouse. snake my fav, does any one know who does snakes voice? i love his voice, i wonder why i havent heard his voice anywhere else.
jon- Snake is voiced by Hank Azaria. A list of who does who is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_characters_in_The_Simpsons
Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem !
I despise the simpsons, if i could meet the real homer simpson i would hit him in the face with my cock. I wish this god forsaken series would *****ing die already. The last time i watched a full episode was when i was like 10. 400 episodes later its still going strong. I guess as long as there is dry bland humor, and awful schtick storylines…simpsons will reign supreme. What is this world coming too.
Haha, guys, we could have created a top 100 in about 40 seconds, but if you append “in my opinion” to this list, then hopefully no one can complain any more.
In fact, that’s not a bad idea for every list on this site…
Grr! What I wanted to say was: I *heart* Ralph Wiggum! He’s probably my favorite nerdy kid on any show.
Speaking of nerdy kids, what about MILHOUSE?! He’s Bart’s Best Friend!
hehe i love the simpsons
Mr.Burns?!?!?!?! I agree with the list besides that.
The most outrageous omission has got to be the (late) Lionel Hutz, ambulance chaser of all ambulance chasers! my list would be (in no particular order):
Barney
Dr Nick
Troy McClure
Lionel Hutz
Flanders
Ralph
Chief Wiggum
Krusty
Apu
Sideshow Bob
So Tony hates the Simpsons so much he want Homer to give him a hummer?
this should really be like top 20, there are too many great supporting characters
Okay if we are going to be picky about little mistakes, then I have to say that Ralph bent his wookie, not broke.
No Mr. Burns, no Otto.. and I don’t think that Skinner should have been lower on the list than Comic Book Guy. Good list though.
I agree with the comment about this needing to be a top 20.
I think this list should be ranked according how much the supporting character appears in the episodes, not their coolness or anything. in that mindset i think ned and moe are perfect in the top 2. From there I’d say Mr. Burns/Skinner should be pretty close, as well as skinner
Awesome list!! I admit I wish Troy McClure was on here as well but I love that Flanders is #1! Flanders cracks me up… my favourite episode of him is the one where his house is destroyed by the hurricane and he loses it… soo funny!
As for Tony (#25) You say that you haven’t watched an episode since you were 10… from the way that you speak I would have to guess that was last week perhaps.
Lay off the cursing and foul language. You are not cool.
“my name is otto. i love to get blotto!” i’m a bit surprised that milhouse isn’t on here: “puppy goo goo, fetch me a dream!” lol! this probably does have to be a top 20. you could probably do a top 5 or 10 characters played by phil hartman (r.i.p.) on the simpsons. that show is awesome. i probably quote it on a daily basis
If watching simpsons is what makes people cool….then i refuse. Sorry, but it astounds me the sheer number of fans such a *****ty (yeah i cursed, oh no!!! cover your delicate ears) show can have. Simpsons=The devil. Simpsons is everything that is wrong with contemporary comedy. ***** Bart, ***** Lisa…and ***** Marge up her yellow ***** with a 18 inch mallet cock. Cowabunga *****suckers
vesselman; Ha ha good one!
Tony; watching the Simpson’s makes no one cool. Mind you, nor does using vulgar language with no purpose. It in fact shows how totally uncool you are. No class, no vocabulary, no reasoned opinion, no consideration for others, = Totally uncool. In fact, I’d venture to say – asshat or douchebag or immature middle-schooler. You pick the adjective that best applies.
to everybody: I am sorry i forgot Mr. Burns, i intended to put him on this list but some how i forgot.
Tony: you do understand that there is no “real” homer simpson
he is only a cartoon character.
don’t be a homer*****ual, don’t comment if you are this angry
btw, what exactly is funny to you anyway?
Note that Tony quotes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – a grand step up from the Simpsons. At least the Simpsons has some pointed social commentary from time to time. Not a giant turtle saying “hey dude”.
Amazing how people talk about these cartoon characters like they were real persons! I live in Greece and, sadly, we can’t see the show
tassadar: i grown up watching the show my whole life and it is weird that people think that way.
why cant you watch it in Greece?
honorable mentions:
snake
mr. burns
lenny and carl
barney
mayor quimby
groundskeeper willie
jimbo
kearney
dolph
lunchlady doris
bumblebee man
reverend lovejoy
lou the cop
capital city goof ball
rex banner
fat tony
sideshow mel
Superintendent Chalmers anyone?
A rarely used and underappreciated character.
Disco Stu should be here too.
Go to this site to hear the Bloodhound Gang’s song called “Ralph Wiggum”.
Mom24 I think Tony was referring to Bart’s use of “Kowabunga”, not the turtles.
Really good list for how many characters there are to choose from, good job MPW.
The most disturbing scenes in Simpsons history:
3. Ralph expresses his love of ice cream, and then visibly *****es himself.
2. Groundskeeper Willie falls down the stairs of the school, before angrily screaming at the children gathered round “What are you looking at, you BASTARDS?”
1. Homer, asleep at the wheel, dreams about smothering Abe to death.
Tony: I have heard plenty of people agree with your opinion, even i sometimes ask myself “what the heck?” but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying the show. Atleast people like me can enjoy life a little bit better.
tassadar: Don’t feel too bad. If I may paraphrase K. Marx: “Das Simpsons … ist das Opium des Volkes”.
I live in USA and though I have watched short bits of this cartoon, I can not recall ever sitting through a whole episode. It just couldn’t keep my interest.
Tony, on the other hand, seems to care way too much. I just wonder how he is so familiar with the color of Marges nether regions
Duff Man can’t breathe, oh no!
Exluddite (#46) I agree Disco Stu is a great character.
Tony…my brain sits between my “delicate ears” can you say the same? I did not imply that watching The Simpsons made you cool but rather that cursing for no good reason made you uncool.
This is a family friendly site and for you to be cursing like that and using such foul language while not contributing annything useful makes you ridiculous.
As for cool vs. uncool you wouldn’t know cool if it crawled up your rear and showed you who your daddy was.
No Mr. Burns?
The Simpsons used to be an awesome show, but it has gone downhill recently due to the lack of ideas. Huge kudos to the makers for the show’s popularity after so many seasons but it’s like bleeding a stone – the recent seasons are just not very funny anymore and it has become blatantly obvious that they are keeping the show running just for money, whereas in the earlier seasons it felt much more genuine.
Personally I prefer Futurama, one of the most underrated cartoon shows around, it’s magnificent, and FOX are idiots for cancelling it after the fourth season.
Futurama
South Park
Family Guy
The Simpsons
American Dad
In that order.
Futurama is created by Matt Groening too though.
It’s set in different times and it’s different people.
But I can’t help but to see so many similar jokes and some characters just seems to be identical.
Either way, Futurama, south park, family guy and american dad are great shows too.
But as Simpsons is one of the longest running cartoon shows, perhaps even the longest running? It must be something darn good about it
“I don’t know what it is but it makes me smile when it’s on tv”
Quote by Billy Joel about Simpsons… or not
great list!
although I was disappointed because my favorite character is Otto, the bus driver and he isn’t on the list.
this list could have easily been a top 50…i give you credit for having the fortitude to narrow it to 10, great work!
There are too many good characters to just do a top 10… I agree that top 20 would have been better. Then there would be room for Mr. Burns, Patty and Selma, Lenny and Carl, and some of the others people have mentioned.
Diamond_Dragon: The Simpsons is the longest running by far (in western society, that is). As an aside, the longest running animation I’ve ever heard of is a Japanese series called Sazae-san, which weighs in at over 1700 episodes.
Also props to Professor Frink – “You kidnapped me, I remember it distinctly, with the grabbing, and the shoving, and the tennis ball in the mouth that huuuurt meeee.”