Every Simpsons Character Voiced By Phil Hartman

Summary

Phil Hartman’s voice acting in The Simpsons was memorable and helped make the show a cultural touchstone.
Hartman voiced 19 different characters, each with a distinct personality that he brought to life.
From playing real figures like Bill Clinton to creating original characters, Hartman stole the show every time he returned to Springfield.

While the hit animated series had its fair share of brilliant voice actors over its time on the air, the many Phil Hartman Simpsons characters remain memorable even years after the actor’s passing. Most remembered for his hilarious years as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, Hartman brought his distinct vocal talents to the famous animated series, and his characterizations helped to make The Simpsons the cultural touchstone that it is today. His untimely death, unfortunately, ended the phenomenal collaboration, but his characters were an unforgettable part of the show’s rich tapestry.

Hartman made his debut in season 2, episode 10 “Bart Gets Hit by a Car” in 1991, and he would continue to make sporadic appearances until he died in 1998. Though most of his Simpsons characters were one-offs in a single episode, Hartman also helped create iconic personas that would appear in over 40 episodes. By the end, he voiced 19 different characters, and though they weren’t all classics, each had a distinct personality that only Hartman could bring to life. Whether he was a wholly original character or using his impressive impression skills, Hartman stole the show every time he returned to Springfield.

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1 Jimmy Apollo – “Lisa The Greek”

Season 3, Episode 14

Jimmy Apollo smokes a cigar from The Simpsons

One of Hartman’s underrated talents was his silky smooth announcer’s voice, and as the one-off character Jimmy Apollo, he got to flex that particular muscle. Apollo was a TV football announcer whom Homer relied on for his weekly football picks. The character was an amalgamation of many different football personalities, though Hartman brought something new to the character by synthesizing all the TV announcer clichés that had come before.

2 The Cable Guy – “Homer Vs Lisa And The 8th Amendment”

Season 2, Episode 13

A cable guy stands close to Homer from The Simpsons

During the Golden Age of The Simpsons, almost every episode was a certified classic, and season 2, episode 13, “Homer vs Lisa and the 8th Amendment” was no exception. Returning during the season for another episode, Hartman played the grouchy Cable Guy who attempted to steal the Simpson’s home security system. Though there was nothing flashy about Hartman’s performance, he managed to manipulate his voice to be nearly unrecognizable and showed he could blend into an ensemble cast.

3 Bill Clinton – “Treehouse Of Horror VII”

Season 8, Episode 1

Like his time on SNL, Hartman was often tapped to play real figures on The Simpsons, and the task of playing then-U.S. President Bill Clinton was no challenge for the seasoned impressionist. Appearing as one of several actors to do the ’90s president, Hartman imported his over-the-top interpretation from SNL when he played him in The Simpsons season 8, episode 1, “Treehouse of Horror VII”. Clinton was a part tailor-made for Hartman to play on the show, and he didn’t pass up the chance to make hilarious political commentary while playing the President.

Split image of characters from The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror episodes

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4 Evan Conover – “Bart Vs Australia”

Season 6, Episode 16

Evan Connover talks on the phone in The Simpsons

Though Hartman was a chameleon with his vocal acting, some of his characters sounded eerily similar when compared. His one-off character of Evan Conover from season 6, episode 16, “Bart vs Australia” sounded extremely close to his Lionel Hutz persona, but was still hilarious. Conover represented the U.S. Government’s State Department, specifically the “Brat and Punk Division” where he was sent to deal with Bart Simpson’s $900 collect call to Australia. The Hutz-like voice was perfect for Conover as the slimy bureaucrat sold Bart out to the Australian government.

5 Fat Tony – “A Fish Called Selma”

Season 7, Episode 19

Most of Hartman’s characters were originally voiced by him, and the characters were retired after Hartman passed or given to another actor, but Fat Tony was the only part he temporarily inherited. Usually voiced by Joe Mantegna, the shady mobster appeared briefly in season 7, episode 19, “A Fish Called Selma,” and it was Hartman’s only stab at the character. Hartman’s performance was noticeably different, but he still gave Tony his own unique style. Hartman was already in the episode as Troy McClure, and it could be assumed that he was the only person on hand to play Fat Tony.

6 The Heavenly Voice – “Bart Gets Hit By A Car”

Season 2, Episode 10

Bart rides an escalator to heaven in The Simpsons

Season 2, episode 10, “Bart Gets Hit by a Car” was notable for several reasons, not the least of which was Hartman’s debut as a guest star. Though he was most remembered in the episode for his first portrayal of shady lawyer Lionel Hutz, he also lent his tenor as The Heavenly Voice. After Bart was struck by Mr. Burns’ car, his soul floated up to Heaven where he was greeted by the booming voice. Truly a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo, Hartman nevertheless gave The Heavenly Voice a booming bravado that was perfect for a deity.

7 The Godfather – “Bart The Murderer”

Season 3, Episode 4

The Godfather drives down the road in The Simpsons

Despite being a small town, Springfield was home to a large mafia presence, and Hartman often lent his voice to the various heavies who appeared. Though Fat Tony was thought to be the big boss of the city, the arrival of The Godfather in season 3, episode 4, “Bart the Murderer” proved he was actually outranked. Hartman only played the character one time, but he nevertheless gave him a distinct tone outside his usual Mafioso personas. In “Bart the Murderer,” Hartman played four of his most famous characters: the Godfather, Lionel Hutz, Troy McClure, and Joey.

8 Charlton Heston – “A Star Is Burns”

Season 6, Episode 18

Charlton Heston grimaces in the desert from The Simpsons

Featuring many of the fake movies in The Simpsons universe, season 6, episode 18, “A Star is Burns” allowed Phil Hartman to do another great impression when playing Hollywood legend Charlton Heston. The infamous actor appeared in a parody of Ben-Hur and Hartman did his best exaggerated impression of Heston’s breathy acting style. Though several other actors would play Heston in later seasons, Hartman’s unique take had the perfect mixture of character and parody.

9 Hospital Chairman – “22 Short Films About Springfield”

Season 7, Episode 21

The hospital chairman looks on in The Simpsons

The iconic season 7, episode 11, “22 Short Films About Springfield” episode was special because it presented a vast array of Springfield’s denizens. Aside from playing Lionel Hutz as usual, Hartman also appeared briefly as the Hospital Chairman who attempted to strip Dr. Nick of his credentials. The character was played completely straight, though Hartman did get to perform a bit of comedy when totally forgiving the hilarious Simpsons supporting character, Dr. Nick, and being fooled by his false cure on Grandpa Simpson.

10 Horst – “Burns Verkaufen Der Kraftwerk”

Season 3, Episode 11

The producers of The Simpsons always knew the best ways to utilize Hartman’s immense talent, and the character of Horst showed the subtle brilliance of the actor. In season 3, episode 11, “Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk,” Hartman portrayed the patient and principled businessman Horst who spoke with a stereotypical German accent. Despite the restrictions of the accent, Hartman managed to bring Horst to life through his patient manner of speaking while dealing with Homer’s ridiculous antics.

11 Lionel Hutz – Debuted in “Bart Gets Hit By A Car”

Season 2, Episode 10

Lionel Hutz combs his hair with a fork from The Simpsons

Only three of Hartman’s Simpsons characters ever returned for a second appearance with Hartman providing the voice, and the sketchy Lionel Hutz was one of them. The character debuted in season 2, episode 10, “Bart Gets Hit By a Car,” and the crooked lawyer would return for a further 38 appearances until 1998. Hutz exemplified every negative trait about lawyers, and Hartman’s over-the-top performance truly brought the character to life. Hutz proved to be so popular that he returned any time the Simpson family needed legal counsel, even if his advice was bad.

12 Lyle Lanley – “Marge Vs The Monorail”

Season 4, Episode 12

As a parody of the classic musical The Music Man, the hilarious season 4, episode 12, “Marge vs The Monorail” was perfect, and Hartman’s appearance as huckster Lyle Lanley was a superb piece of voice acting. Lanley conned the city of Springfield into purchasing a monorail system from him, and it took all of Hartman’s sleazy charm to convince them. Remembered also for its brilliant Star Trek cameo, the Simpsons episode saw Hartman not only act as Lanley but perform in hilarious musical numbers as well.

13 Troy McClure – Debuted in “Homer Vs. Lisa And The 8th Commandment”

Season 2, Episode 13

Troy McClure reads from a script in The Simpsons

Not long after he debuted the iconic character of Lionel Hutz, Hartman appeared in season 2, episode 13, “Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment” and created another. Troy McClure was a washed-up former B-movie actor who often appeared in infomercials and various other pieces of media throughout The Simpsons. Hartman excelled at playing shady characters, and McClure’s 41 appearances voiced by the actor were all a masterclass in playing hysterical sleaze.

14 Joey – “Bart The Murderer”

Season 3, Episode 4

Joey the mobster looks on from The Simpsons

Not all of Hartman’s characters on The Simpsons were larger-than-life, and his turn as the mobster Joey from Fat Tony’s Simpsons gang in season 3, episode 4, “Bart the Murderer” was certainly more low-key. Though he played several other characters in the episode, Joey was designed to blend into the background and the few lines of dialogue he was given weren’t really of a humorous nature. Nevertheless, Joey would continue to be a part of the Springfield mafia for years to come, but wouldn’t be played by Hartman.

15 Stockbroker – “Burns Verkaufen Der Kraftwerk”

Season 3, Episode 11

The stockbroker talks on the phone from The Simpsons

As much as Hartman was perfect for the sillier roles, he was also the perfect straight man whenever the show needed him to be. In season 3, episode 11, “Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk”, Hartman pulled double duty when he appeared for a small part as Homer’s strange stockbroker. Stepping back to let Homer have a hilarious Simpsons storyline, Hartman’s stockbroker character was nevertheless a gray and disheveled-looking man whose voice was equally haggard. Despite not having many jokes to work with, Hartman managed to still be funny just through his vocal performance.

16 Eddie Muntz – “Brother From The Same Planet”

Season 4, Episode 14

The character of Eddie Muntz was still rather vague when Hartman portrayed him in season 4, episode 14, “Brother from the Same Planet,” but he nevertheless did his best to bring him to life. Muntz was Nelson’s chain-smoking, motorcycle-riding father who arrived back in his life to be his soccer coach for a brief time. Though Hartman’s vocals weren’t known for their gruffness, he nevertheless did a decent job breathing life into the character, and other actors would pick up the slack and play him later on.

17 Moses – “Homer Vs Lisa And The 8th Commandment”

Season 2, Episode 13

Moses holds the Ten Commandments from The Simpsons

Tapped to play yet another Biblical character, Hartman portrayed the character of Moses during the flashback sequence at the beginning of The Simpsons season 2, episode 13, “Homer vs Lisa and the 8th Commandment.” Playing the character straight, in contrast to Homer’s antics, Hartman’s commanding presence was perfect for the epic figure from history. Though he didn’t get a chance to be funny in the role, Hartman’s acting was the right foil for Dan Castellaneta’s goofy Homer.

18 Plato – “Old Money”

Season 2, Episode 17

Plato welcomes Grandpa Simpson into a casino from The Simpson

Playing one of The Simpsons‘ sketchiest characters once again, Hartman’s appearance as Plato was as hilarious as it was brief. Appearing for only a moment in season 2, episode 17, “Old Money,” Plato was the owner of a themed casino that attracted elderly clientele. The toga-wearing owner was only seen when greeting guests, but Hartman imbued him with the subtlest hint of greed and sinister humor that showed he could do the most with the smallest amount of material.

19 Tom – “Brother From The Same Planet”

Season 4, Episode 14

In the same Simpsons episode where he played Nelson’s estranged father, Hartman also played the mentor Tom as well. Season 4, episode 14, “Brother From the Same Planet” allowed Hartman to play two disparate characters, and Tom was the polar opposite of Eddie Muntz. Dropping all the slick charm he usually put in his characters, Hartman played Tom as the sincere mentor that the script called for him to be. Modeled loosely after Tom Cruise, the character was somewhat bland and unassuming, but Hartman still made him feel like a sincere character when compared to the much sillier parts he also played on The Simpsons.

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