Iconic ‘Simpsons’ Voice Actor Behind Milhouse Announces Retirement

It looks like things aren’t going too well for Milhouse.

After 35 years of bringing to life some of the most beloved characters on “The Simpsons,” Pamela Hayden is stepping down from her role.

Hayden’s final episode, titled Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes, will air on Sunday, November 24.

Hayden has not only voiced Milhouse Van Houten, Bart Simpson’s best friend, and the school bully Jimbo Jones, but also a variety of other characters including Rod Flanders, Chief Wiggum’s wife, Ralph Wiggum’s mother Sarah, and Lisa Simpson’s friend Janey Powell.

With its premiere in December 1989 on Fox, “The Simpsons” will now begin the process of recasting Hayden’s characters.

Hayden expressed her feelings by saying, “The time has come for me to retire my microphone, but parting ways with ‘The Simpsons’ is no easy task. It has been both an honor and a delight to work on such an innovative and humorous show, voicing characters like Milhouse, Jimbo Jones, Rod Flanders, Janey, Malibu Stacy, and many more.”

Milhouse made his first appearance in a Butterfinger commercial in 1989, and his name was inspired by former U.S. president Richard Milhous Nixon.

Matt Groening, the creator of “The Simpsons,” explained, “Bart needed a companion in the school cafeteria. We called him Milhouse because it sounded like the most unfortunate name for a kid. Pamela brought so many laughs with Milhouse, the unlucky kid with the biggest nose in Springfield. She truly brought Milhouse to life, making him both hilarious and genuine, and she will be greatly missed.”

Al Jean, an executive producer, humorously noted that Milhouse was a favorite in the writers’ room because “most of the writers could relate more to Milhouse than Bart.”

James L. Brooks, another executive producer, remarked, “Pamela has always been an epitome of great spirit in every cast she has been part of. She will be deeply missed.”

Reflecting on her experiences, Hayden said, “I’ll forever hold a special place in my heart for that blue-haired, bespectacled 10-year-old.”

The Simpsons is produced by Gracie Films in association with 20th Television Animation. The show was created by Matt Groening, developed by James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Sam Simon, and is executive produced by Brooks, Groening, Jean, and Matt Selman.