Welcome to our guide to every character in The Simpsons. If you’ve ever tried to remember a character’s name or wanted to know more about the huge cast, this is the place for you. This guide is for everyone, from long-time fans to new viewers.
We’ll cover everyone from the Simpson family to characters who only showed up for a single joke.
A Complete Guide to Every Springfield Resident
Think of this as your go-to encyclopedia for Simpsons characters. I’ve made it simple and easy to follow. You can jump to the section you’re interested in, whether it’s the main family, their relatives, or the many other people who live in Springfield.
My goal is to answer any question you might have about who’s who in this famous show, with just enough detail to give you the full picture.
Why This Guide Is Your Best Resource
This isn’t just a long list; it’s an organized catalog of Springfield’s residents. Here’s what makes it so useful:
- Easy to Use: I’ve broken everything down into clear sections. You won’t have to scroll forever to find who you’re looking for.
- Covers Everyone: From Homer Simpson to characters who were only in one episode, if they’ve been in Springfield, they’re probably in here.
- Key Details: Each entry gives you the important info—their personality, role in the show, and what makes them unique.
As the longest-running primetime animated series in American TV history, The Simpsons has been on our screens since it started on December 17, 1989. With over 750 episodes and counting, the show has introduced hundreds of characters and has become a big part of our culture. You can learn more about its history and see a full episode list on Wikipedia.com.
Meet The Core Simpson Family
At the center of all the craziness in Springfield, you’ll find the Simpsons. The whole show revolves around them, and most stories start with one of these five family members. Getting to know them is the first step to understanding the show’s humor.
The family first appeared in a short called “Good Night” on The Tracey Ullman Show back on April 19, 1987. From that day on, Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie became known all over the world. Each one is totally different, which creates the perfect mix of chaos and heart the show is famous for.
To get a quick idea of who they are, here’s a simple chart about the family.
The Simpson Family Quick Reference
| Character Name | Defining Trait | Famous Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Homer Simpson | Lovable oaf | “D’oh!” |
| Marge Simpson | Unwavering patience | A signature disapproving groan |
| Bart Simpson | Rebellious prankster | “¡Ay, caramba!” |
| Lisa Simpson | Intellectual and moral | A passionate plea for justice |
| Maggie Simpson | Silent but observant | Suck, suck |
Of course, one quote can’t sum up decades of a character’s life, but this gives you a starting point for understanding what makes each of them who they are.
Homer J. Simpson: The Lovable Oaf
Homer is the dad of the family, and he’s one of the most famous characters in TV history. His official job is safety inspector at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, but he spends most of his time there asleep. He is motivated by simple things: donuts, Duff Beer, and a comfy spot on the couch.
Even though he’s lazy and comes up with silly plans, Homer has a big heart and truly loves his family. His famous frustrated cry, “D’oh!,” is known around the world and is even in the Oxford English Dictionary. A classic Homer story can be seen in “Homer the Heretic,” where he skips church, creates his own religion, and almost burns down the house.
Marge Simpson: The Family’s Moral Compass
Marjorie “Marge” Simpson is the very patient and loving mother, who you can always recognize by her tall blue beehive hairstyle. She’s the voice of reason in a chaotic house, always trying to keep things from getting too out of control. Simply put, Marge holds the family together.
Her signature disapproving groan says more than words ever could. Marge’s loyalty is her main quality, even when her family pushes her to her limit. Look at a classic episode like “Marge vs. the Monorail” from the best Simpsons episodes of all time; her gut feeling is the only thing that saves Springfield from a con man’s disaster.
Bart Simpson: The Mischievous Rebel
Bartholomew “Bart” Simpson, the oldest child, is a ten-year-old troublemaker. He loves pulling pranks, often on Principal Skinner. But underneath all the trouble he causes, he has moments where he shows he has a good heart.
Bart gave the world a bunch of catchphrases, from “¡Ay, caramba!” to “Eat my shorts!” His actions are the focus of many of the show’s early, most famous episodes. Think of “Bart the Daredevil,” where his plan to jump Springfield Gorge on a skateboard perfectly shows his mix of recklessness and strong will.
Lisa and Maggie Simpson: The Brains and The Baby
Lisa is the smart, eight-year-old middle child. She’s a straight-A student who loves jazz and often feels like an outsider in her own home. Her sharp mind and strong sense of right and wrong make her a powerful voice for causes like environmentalism and animal rights.
And then there’s Maggie, the baby who never seems to get older. While she rarely speaks, her facial expressions and pacifier say it all. Don’t underestimate her, though. Over the years, she’s shown moments of genius and surprising skill, proving she is a true Simpson.
Exploring the Extended Simpson and Bouvier Family
While Homer, Marge, and the kids are the stars, you can’t really understand them without knowing their relatives. The extended Simpson and Bouvier families add a lot of comedy, history, and chaos to the series. These characters often show up and become the focus of an entire episode, bringing up old stories or creating new problems for the family.
From Homer’s rambling dad to Marge’s chain-smoking sisters, this group is behind some of the funniest and most touching moments in The Simpsons. Every relative has a unique personality, and watching them interact with the main family is always fun.
This simple diagram shows the direct family line, from the grandparents down to the kids.
As you can see, Homer and Marge are in the middle, connecting their parents to Bart, Lisa, and Maggie.
Abraham “Grampa” Simpson
Homer’s father, Abraham “Grampa” Simpson, is a World War II veteran who lives at the Springfield Retirement Castle. He’s been around since the beginning, first appearing in “Grandpa and the Kids,” one of the original shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show. He’s famous for telling long, rambling stories about his past that often don’t make sense and contradict each other.
But don’t be fooled by his forgetfulness and tendency to fall asleep mid-sentence—Grampa has lived an amazing life. He was once a member of the secret Stonecutters society and even wrote for the old Itchy & Scratchy cartoons. Episodes like “Raging Abe Simpson and His Grumbling Grandson in ‘The Curse of the Flying Hellfish'” explore his wild history and show the complicated but real love he has for Bart.
Patty and Selma Bouvier
Marge’s older twin sisters, Patty and Selma, might be the most cynical people in Springfield. They spend their days working at the DMV, chain-smoking, and watching their favorite TV show, MacGyver. Like many main characters, they first appeared in the show’s first full episode, “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire.”
Of course, their most famous trait is their shared hatred for Homer. They never miss a chance to insult him, which is a constant source of conflict and comedy.
Selma has been married (and divorced) many times, and her ex-husbands include Sideshow Bob and Troy McClure. Patty, on the other hand, came out as a lesbian in a later season. Their lives help us understand Marge’s own background and character much better.
Mona Simpson
For most of the show’s early years, Homer’s mother, Mona, was a mystery—he thought she was dead. We saw her briefly in a flashback during “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?,” but we didn’t get her full story until the amazing episode “Mother Simpson.” It turned out Mona was a hippie activist in the 1960s who had to go on the run after she sabotaged a germ warfare lab owned by Mr. Burns.
Her rare visits to Springfield are always full of emotion and show a vulnerable side of Homer we don’t often see. Mona’s story adds a tragic layer to the family’s past and explains a lot about Homer’s feelings of being abandoned.
Friends, Neighbors, and Other Springfield Residents
Besides the Simpson and Bouvier families, the town of Springfield is filled with a huge cast of supporting characters. These are the people who give the town its personality—the friends, neighbors, and local business owners who often get their own episodes. They help build the rich, funny world the Simpsons live in.
This section is about the key residents who make Springfield so memorable. From Homer’s friends at Moe’s to his super cheerful next-door neighbor, these characters are just as famous as the main family. Getting to know them helps you understand the weird and wonderful town of Springfield.
The Neighbor You Can’t Escape
Ned Flanders
is the Simpsons’ famously kind and religious next-door neighbor. He first appeared in “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,” the show’s first full-length episode. You can’t miss him with his signature mustache, green sweater, and friendly greetings like, “Hi-dilly-ho, neighborino!”
Despite Homer’s constant jealousy and occasional anger, Ned always remains kind and patient. He’s a loving single dad to his two boys, Rod and Todd, and he runs his own business, The Leftorium, a store for left-handed people. Episodes like “Hurricane Neddy” give us a look at what happens when his positive attitude is finally pushed too far, showing there’s more to him than just his cheerful personality.
The Regulars at Moe’s Tavern
Moe’s Tavern is Homer’s second home, and its owner and customers are a big part of his social life. It’s in this dark, beloved bar that many of Homer’s silly plans are born.
- Moe Szyslak: The always cranky, lonely, and sometimes scheming owner of the tavern. He’s the usual target for Bart’s prank calls and has a complicated friendship with Homer. But despite his grumpy attitude, Moe sometimes shows a surprisingly soft and vulnerable side.
- Barney Gumble: Homer’s best friend from high school and Springfield’s most famous town drunk, known for his loud belches. The episode “Mr. Plow” shows us his past as a smart student with a bright future, long before he started drinking heavily.
- Lenny and Carl: Homer’s close friends and coworkers from the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. You rarely see one without the other, and their very close—and sometimes funny—relationship has become a great running joke on the show.
Together, these guys are Homer’s inner circle, always ready with terrible advice and loyal, if misguided, support.
It’s worth noting that while Moe’s Tavern seems like a one-of-a-kind place, it has some real-world roots. Many people point to Max’s Tavern in Eugene, Oregon—a place series creator Matt Groening knew in college—as a possible inspiration, right down to the jar of pickled eggs on the counter.
Key Community Figures
Outside of Homer’s social circle, many other residents play important roles in the daily life of Springfield. These people are the faces of the town’s businesses and public services.
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon was, for many years, the hard-working and polite owner of the Kwik-E-Mart. He was a key character known for his catchphrase, “Thank you, come again!” and for seeming to never leave his store. Apu is married to Manjula, and together they have octuplets.
In recent years, the character of Apu has caused controversy, which led to his role being reduced. For most of the show’s run, however, he was one of the most well-known characters in Springfield. His dedication to the Kwik-E-Mart, even with endless robberies and Homer’s antics, made him a truly memorable part of the town.
A Guide to Springfield Elementary Staff and Students
A lot of the show’s humor and heart happens at Springfield Elementary. This is where Bart’s pranks come to life, where Lisa’s intelligence is both challenged and ignored, and where a cast of quirky kids and tired teachers creates endless comedy. The school is like a smaller version of Springfield itself.
This guide will introduce you to the key staff and students who make the school such a famous setting in the world of Simpsons all characters. From the stressed-out principal to the classic town bully, these figures are central to Bart and Lisa’s lives and have given us some of the show’s best moments.
The Faculty In Charge
Let’s be honest, the staff at Springfield Elementary are cynical, underpaid, and very funny. They’re led by a principal who is in a constant battle with his most famous student, a dynamic that has defined the school for years.
- Principal Seymour Skinner: The perfect example of an uptight, rule-loving principal. Living with his demanding mother, Agnes, Skinner’s whole life is a struggle to keep order—a goal made impossible by Bart Simpson. Their rivalry is legendary, leading to classic episodes like “Skinner’s Sense of Snow,” where the kids take over the school during a blizzard.
- Mrs. Edna Krabappel: Bart’s long-suffering, chain-smoking fourth-grade teacher. Known for her sarcastic laugh (“Ha!”), Edna was tired of her job but would sometimes show that she genuinely cared for her students. Her on-again, off-again romance with Principal Skinner was a major plot point for many seasons.
- Superintendent Chalmers: Skinner’s easily annoyed boss, who always seems to show up at the worst possible time. His loud cry of “SKINNER!” is a sure sign that one of Skinner’s plans has gone terribly wrong, as seen in the famous “Steamed Hams” scene.
The Unforgettable Student Body
The kids at Springfield Elementary are just as memorable as the adults. Bart and Lisa’s classmates are a collection of childhood types—the nerdy best friend, the crush, the bully—and each one adds their own flavor to the show.
The fact that these characters are still so beloved shows the series’ incredible ability to last. Even after more than 30 years, The Simpsons is a cultural powerhouse. In fact, data from late 2023 showed it was the fourth most in-demand TV show in the United States, getting 58.9 times more attention than the average show. You can read more about the show’s amazing popularity on ParrotAnalytics.com.
Key Student Profiles
A few students are more than just faces in the crowd; they’re essential to the school’s social life and have been at the center of many stories.
- Milhouse Van Houten: Bart’s gullible, insecure, and very unlucky best friend. Milhouse is the ultimate sidekick, constantly dragged into Bart’s schemes where he usually gets in trouble. His hopeless crush on Lisa is another one of his main—and often sad—traits.
- Nelson Muntz: The classic school bully, famous for his mocking laugh: “Ha-ha!” Though he starts as a simple bad guy, Nelson develops into a surprisingly complex character. We later see parts of a tough home life that explain a lot about his tough personality.
- Ralph Wiggum: The lovable, very dim-witted son of Police Chief Wiggum. Ralph is known for saying silly and surprisingly deep things like, “Me fail English? That’s unpossible!” He has a pure, innocent nature that has made him a huge fan favorite.
Villains, Crooks, and One-Shot Wonders
Every great story needs a good villain, and Springfield has plenty of them. These are the characters who consistently cause trouble for the Simpsons and give us some of the show’s best storylines. But it’s not just about the main villains; the series is also famous for its minor characters who steal the show, even if they only appear in one episode.
Here, we’ll cover both: the recurring bad guys who make life hard for our favorite family and the beloved one-time characters who made a big impression. From evil masterminds to smooth-talking salesmen, these characters are a big part of what makes the world of The Simpsons feel so complete.
Springfield’s Rogues’ Gallery
While many people have caused problems for the Simpsons over the years, a couple of villains have truly become legendary enemies. Their plans are famous, and their complicated history with the family has been building for decades.
- Charles Montgomery Burns: The ancient, incredibly rich owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, Mr. Burns is the town’s main evil billionaire. He is driven by a simple greed for more money and power, no matter what it costs his workers or the town. His signature catchphrase, “Excellent,” is almost always whispered while he puts his long, bony fingers together. Mr. Burns represents corporate greed, but the show sometimes gives us glimpses of a strangely vulnerable side, making him more than just a simple bad guy.
- Sideshow Bob: You might know him as Robert Underdunk Terwilliger Jr., but to the world, he’s Sideshow Bob—a smart, arrogant criminal with a deep hatred for Bart Simpson. He was once Krusty the Clown’s sidekick, but his TV career ended when Bart exposed his plot to frame Krusty for robbery. Since then, Bob’s life has been defined by his fancy tastes, his formal way of speaking, and his funny—and always failing—attempts to kill a 10-year-old boy.
The Unforgettable One-Hit Wonders
One of the truly great things about The Simpsons is its ability to create characters who show up for just one episode but become instant legends. They’re so well-written and voiced that they feel like they’ve always been part of Springfield, leaving a mark that lasts for years.
The show’s skill at creating these minor characters is a big reason why its world feels so real. While neighbors like Ned Flanders get entire story arcs, these one-off characters prove that a small role can be just as memorable. If you want to see more of Springfield’s most famous nice guy, check out our guide to the best Ned Flanders moments.
A perfect example is Hank Scorpio, the supervillain boss from “You Only Move Twice.” He’s charming, supportive, and the best boss Homer ever had. The only problem? He’s also a madman actively trying to take over the world.
Then there’s Lyle Lanley, the slick con artist from the classic “Marge vs. the Monorail.” He comes to town and sells Springfield a bad monorail with nothing but a catchy song and a charming smile. He’s the ultimate smooth-talker who seems too good to be true, because he is. These characters show how sharp the show’s writing is, proving that you don’t need a lot of screen time to become a fan favorite.
Common Questions About Simpsons Characters
With a cast that seems to grow every season, it’s no surprise that people have a lot of questions about the world of The Simpsons. Fans are always curious about how big the character list is and the small details behind their creation. Let’s look at some of the most common questions people ask online.
This is your quick guide to some of the most-asked trivia. We’ll cover everything from the total number of characters to the non-family members you see the most.
How Many Characters Are in The Simpsons?
Figuring out the exact number is tough, but fan wikis and databases say there are well over 3,000 different characters. That number is huge, and it includes everyone from the main family down to characters who only appeared for a single joke.
This huge list of characters is what makes Springfield feel like a real, living town. The creativity it took to develop so many personalities over more than 30 years is a big part of why the show has been so popular for so long.
Who Is the Most Frequent Non-Family Character?
If you don’t count the five main Simpsons, the character who appears the most is Moe Szyslak. As the owner of Moe’s Tavern, he’s at the center of the action for Homer and his friends, making him a regular character in countless episodes.
Of course, other Springfield regulars aren’t far behind. You’ll see plenty of Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner, and Ned Flanders, whose frequent interactions with the family make them some of the most recognizable faces in the entire supporting cast.
“Yo to Springfield, Oregon – the real Springfield! Your pal, Matt Groening proud Oregonian!” – Matt Groening
That quote from Matt Groening himself finally settled a long-running debate, confirming the link between the show’s setting and the real town in Oregon. Many of the show’s locations and even some character names were inspired by Groening’s home state, adding another cool detail for fans to explore. This connection is just one small part of the Simpsons cultural impact, which has made a real-world town a popular spot for fans to visit.
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