Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

'The Simpsons' Star Opens Up About Why She's Leaving The Iconic TV Show After 35 Seasons

Pamela Hayden; Milhouse from 'The Simpsons'
Amy Graves/Getty Images for Kash Hovey; Fox

Pamela Hayden, who has voiced Bart's best friend Milhouse, among other characters, since the show began, opened up to Variety about her decision to retire from the show following Sunday night's "Treehouse of Horror" episode.

After 35 seasons of performing as Milhouse and other side characters on The Simpsons, Pamela Hayden announced her retirement.

She will leave her role behind after the latest "Treehouse of Horror" episode, "Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes."


What will likely comfort fans is Hayden's endless gratitude for the role.

"How many actors can say they've worked on a show for 35 years straight? That alone is amazing."
"But it was time for me to devote my time to other creative endeavors that I have, like filmmaking."
"It was a tough decision, but I feel like it was the right one."

Not only did Hayden voice the part of Milhouse, but she also stepped in as Rod Flanders, Chief Wiggum's wife Sarah, and the school bully Jimbo Jones.

Younger viewers might have noted her vocal talents on a variety of children's shows, as well, including Hey Arnold, The New Batman Adventures, and Pinky and the Brain.

Hayden even did a commentary called "Jailhouse to Milhouse," documenting her journey from a tough childhood, trouble with the law, and eventually making her way into voice acting and other aspects of filmmaking.

But somewhere along the way, Hayden knew that she wanted to leave her voice roles behind and move into production and direction.

Hayden reflected:

"[The Simpsons] is not like anything I've ever worked on. It's a once-in-a-lifetime job on a once-in-a-lifetime show. But being an actor, I think you're kind of used to taking risks. That's the kind of person I am."
"I'm not about playing things safe. And there were other things I wanted to do. I think you throw it against the wall and see what sticks."

You can see a tribute to Pamela Hayden's role as Milhouse here:

 

Though she's leaving the character behind, Hayden has a lot of love for Milhouse.

"Everybody has their own favorite. What I liked about Milhouse is that even though he gets kicked around, he always feels like tomorrow's going to be a better day. Whether it is or not. And I think that's great. It's a good analogy for life."

Fans of the show shared their love for Milhouse's character and what might come next.

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Animated or otherwise, The Simpsons is one of the longest-running TV shows, ever, in televised history. In its 36th season, the writers of The Simpsons have shown an incredible range in their storytelling and character development.

Just like Milhouse's take on tomorrow being a better day, there are surely great things in store for the show, and for Pamela Hayden on her new journey.

More from Entertainment/celebrities

Stephen Falco
WISH-TV/YouTube

Indiana Church Doubles Down After Telling LGBTQ+ People To Kill Themselves Or Face Death Penalty

An Indiana Baptist church is under fire for telling LGBTQ+ people to kill themselves, just as Christ would have done.

Sure Foundation Baptist Church in Indianapolis caused an uproar after a sermon in which church member Stephen Falco recommended LGBTQ+ commit suicide—and if they don't, the Trump Administration should execute them.

Keep ReadingShow less
screenshot of KSAT ABC 12 news anchors  and Stephania Jimenez

Texas News Anchor Slams Noem And Abbott For Using Flood Press Conference To Praise Each Other

KSAT ABC 12 News anchor Stephania Jimenez called out the priorities of federal and state officials during disasters live on air on Saturday.

Jiminez spoke out after a fifth news conference that was supposed to be about the deadly flash flooding west of San Antonio began with yet another mutual admiration society performance by Department of Homeland Security head Kristi Noem, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, and nearly everyone else behind the microphones.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Mike Johnson
Fox News Sunday

Mike Johnson Blasted After Claiming All Congress Can Do After Texas Floods Is 'Pray'

House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing angry criticism after he appeared on Fox News to remark on the deadly flooding in Texas that has killed hundreds, claiming that all Congress "knows to do at this moment is pray" in response to the disaster.

Speaking during the ongoing search and rescue operations, Johnson spoke as the people of Texas continue to raise mounting questions about the effectiveness of current warning systems and whether more could have been done in advance to prevent the loss of life.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump; Elon Musk
Omar Havana/Getty Images; Allison Robbert/AFP via Getty Image

Trump Lashes Out After 'Train Wreck' Elon Musk Announces He's Creating New Political Party

President Donald Trump attacked his former ally Elon Musk in a post on Truth Social after the tech billionaire announced over the weekend that he's creating a new political party called the "America Party" amid their ongoing feud.

Musk has made clear that he vehemently opposes the president's One Big Beautiful Bill—and will work to unseat any Republicans who've supported it, saying they've "voted for the biggest debt increase in history." He founded the new political party on July 5, the day after Trump signed the legislation, which adds roughly $3.3 trillion to the national debt.

Keep ReadingShow less
Black and white photo of a server dressed in all black peering through a window.
Photo by Ian Taylor on Unsplash

Restaurant Servers Describe The Worst Dates They've Ever Witnessed

I have been a waiter on and off for many years.

The things I've seen!

Keep ReadingShow less