For more than three decades, The Simpsons has been a television institution. It’s the longest-running sitcom in history, with over 750 episodes, a feature film, and cultural influence that stretches far beyond Springfield. A huge part of that success has been the show’s ability to attract some of the biggest names in entertainment. Being invited onto The Simpsons has become a pop culture milestone. For actors, musicians, and public figures alike, joining the ranks of Simpsons celebrity guests means being immortalised in animation alongside Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie.
Sometimes guest stars voiced themselves. Other times they became one-off characters or even recurring favourites. What unites the very best appearances is that they weren’t just gimmicks—they elevated episodes into unforgettable classics.
Here’s a definitive guide to the most memorable Simpsons celebrity guests, why they worked, and how they left their mark on Springfield.
James Earl Jones – A Voice of Gravitas
The second season introduced the first ever Treehouse of Horror, and it needed something big to make it stand out. Enter James Earl Jones, one of the greatest voices in cinema. Famous for Darth Vader and Mufasa, Jones lent his baritone to three separate roles: the alien Serak the Preparer, the haunted house itself, and even baby Maggie in the “Raven” segment.
Hearing his booming delivery of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” in a prime-time cartoon was surreal and brilliant. Jones’ performance gave the episode both genuine atmosphere and humour, proving that the show could balance parody with respect for its source material. His involvement helped establish Treehouse of Horror as an annual tradition—one that continues to this day.
Among early Simpsons celebrity guests, Jones set the gold standard: a true Hollywood heavyweight lending credibility to an animated sitcom.
Dave Thomas – Rex Banner, Beer Baron Hunter
In season eight’s “Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment,” Springfield enacts prohibition. Naturally, Homer becomes the underground “Beer Baron.” His nemesis is Rex Banner, a Prohibition-style lawman brought to life by Dave Thomas.
Thomas delivered his lines with a stone-faced seriousness that made the character hilarious. Rex Banner’s attempts to stop Homer are hopeless, yet his stern presence made the contrast funnier. His quotable lines—like his memorable last stand being catapulted out of town—turned a one-off into a cult favourite.
Though he only appeared once, Banner remains one of the best single-use Simpsons celebrity guests. Fans still call for his return.
Michael Jackson – Leon Kompowsky
Few episodes are as famous as season three’s “Stark Raving Dad.” Homer lands in a mental institution where he befriends Leon Kompowsky, a large, gentle man who insists he is Michael Jackson—and just happens to sound exactly like him.
Jackson, then the biggest pop star on the planet, provided Kompowsky’s speaking voice under a pseudonym (for contractual reasons). While a soundalike sang the iconic “Lisa It’s Your Birthday,” Jackson’s presence gave the episode warmth and humour.
The friendship between Leon and Homer, and his bond with Bart, made the story unexpectedly touching. At the time, Jackson’s involvement was a coup that proved The Simpsons was the hottest property on television.
Though later controversy saw the episode pulled from circulation, Jackson’s turn remains one of the most talked-about Simpsons celebrity guests of all time.
Jon Lovitz – Springfield’s Utility Player
Jon Lovitz has been one of the show’s most versatile contributors, voicing multiple characters across seasons. His most famous role is Artie Ziff, Marge’s arrogant high school suitor, first seen in “The Way We Was.” Lovitz’s nasal voice and smug tone made Artie perfectly insufferable, a role he has reprised many times.
Beyond Ziff, Lovitz voiced Llewellyn Sinclair, the pretentious theatre director, Jay Sherman in “A Star is Burns,” Aristotle Amadopolis, and several others. Each role benefited from Lovitz’s unique ability to exaggerate self-importance into comedy.
Among Simpsons celebrity guests, Lovitz stands out not for one role but for his recurring contributions, essentially becoming part of the extended Simpsons family.
Patrick Stewart – Number One
“Homer the Great,” one of the show’s best episodes, introduced the Stonecutters, a secret society hidden in Springfield. Their leader, Number One, was voiced by Sir Patrick Stewart. With his regal Shakespearean voice, Stewart elevated the ridiculous material into comedy gold. Watching him lead chants about controlling the British pound while worshipping Homer as “the chosen one” was a perfect example of the show’s blend of satire and silliness.
Stewart’s appearance demonstrated the show’s reach—when even respected British thespians wanted to join Springfield, you knew Simpsons celebrity guests were becoming legendary.
Glenn Close – Mona Simpson
For six seasons, viewers assumed Homer’s mother was dead. Then, in “Mother Simpson,” she appeared for the first time—voiced by Glenn Close.
Close brought emotional depth to the role of Mona, a former radical activist who abandoned her son to escape the law. Her tender scenes with Homer added unexpected poignancy, making the episode one of the series’ most heartfelt.
Close returned in later seasons, reprising Mona multiple times. Among Simpsons celebrity guests, she stood out by giving Homer’s family life a rare touch of drama and humanity.
Joe Mantegna – Fat Tony
In season three’s “Bart the Murderer,” Springfield’s mafia boss, Fat Tony, made his debut, voiced by Joe Mantegna. Mantegna’s smooth, understated menace was perfect for the character. Fat Tony became a fixture in Springfield, appearing in dozens of episodes over the years. Unlike many guest stars who made a single appearance, Mantegna essentially became part of the recurring cast.
He even once remarked that he’d never let anyone else voice Fat Tony—a testament to how seriously he took the role. Among Simpsons celebrity guests, Mantegna carved out a unique niche as the rare recurring star who blended seamlessly into Springfield.
Albert Brooks – The Master Improviser
If there’s a “best” Simpsons guest star, many fans argue it’s Albert Brooks. Known for his improvisation, Brooks created some of the show’s funniest characters. He debuted as Jacques, the sleazy bowling instructor wooing Marge. He later voiced Cowboy Bob the RV salesman, but his most legendary role was Hank Scorpio in “You Only Move Twice.”
Scorpio, Homer’s encouraging new boss who just happened to be a Bond-style supervillain, remains one of the most beloved one-off characters in Simpsons history. Brooks improvised much of his dialogue, leaving the writers scrambling to animate around him. The result was comedy lightning in a bottle.
Brooks’ appearances prove why Simpsons celebrity guests became so essential: they brought unpredictable energy that kept the show fresh.
Phil Hartman – Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz
No discussion of Simpsons celebrity guests is complete without Phil Hartman. His distinctive, charismatic voice gave us two of the show’s most beloved recurring characters: Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz. Troy McClure was a washed-up actor whose cheesy introductions (“You may remember me from…”) skewered Hollywood desperation.
Lionel Hutz, meanwhile, was Springfield’s shadiest lawyer—cheap, incompetent, but somehow always hanging around when the town needed him.
Hartman’s ability to make sleazy characters loveable gave the show two icons. His tragic death in 1998 led the writers to retire both roles out of respect. The absence of McClure and Hutz was deeply felt, a reminder of just how integral Hartman had become to Springfield.
Among all Simpsons celebrity guests, Hartman’s impact was arguably the greatest—he didn’t just cameo, he helped shape the show.
Kelsey Grammer – The Definitive Sideshow Bob
If there’s a crown jewel among Simpsons celebrity guests, it belongs to Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob.
First appearing in season one, Bob began as Krusty’s disgruntled sidekick before evolving into Bart’s greatest nemesis. Grammer’s cultured, theatrical delivery gave Bob an air of sophistication that made his bumbling criminal plots even funnier.
Episodes like “Cape Feare”—with the infamous rake gag—turned Sideshow Bob into a recurring event. Grammer’s rich singing voice gave the character some of the show’s best musical numbers, from Gilbert and Sullivan parodies to Broadway-level showstoppers.
Grammer even won an Emmy for his work as Bob, making him the rare Simpsons guest star to be recognised with television’s highest award. Three decades on, Sideshow Bob remains a fan favourite, proof of how one guest role can grow into a cornerstone of the show.
Other Legendary Simpsons Celebrity Guests
Beyond the big names, Springfield has welcomed an astonishing roster of stars. A few more stand out as truly iconic:
- Danny DeVito as Herb Powell – Homer’s long-lost half-brother. DeVito voiced Herb in “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” and later reprised him. His mix of exasperation and brotherly warmth made Herb one of the show’s most beloved relatives.
- Dustin Hoffman (credited as “Sam Etic”) – As Mr. Bergstrom, Lisa’s substitute teacher, Hoffman delivered one of the series’ most heartfelt episodes. His parting message to Lisa—“You are Lisa Simpson”—is still quoted by fans.
- Meryl Streep as Jessica Lovejoy – Bart’s rebellious girlfriend in “Bart’s Girlfriend.” Streep brought depth and charm to one of Bart’s most memorable crushes.
- George Harrison – In “Homer’s Barbershop Quartet,” Harrison appears backstage to meet Homer, quipping “It’s been done.” His dry humour was pitch-perfect.
- Ringo Starr – Earlier, Ringo appeared in “Brush with Greatness,” responding earnestly to Marge’s decades-old fan mail. It was a surprisingly sweet cameo.
- Leonard Nimoy – His deadpan cameos in “Marge vs. the Monorail” and “The Springfield Files” made him one of the funniest recurring Simpsons celebrity guests.
- Mark Hamill – In “Mayored to the Mob,” Hamill gleefully parodied his Star Wars fame, singing and dancing his way through a Springfield performance.
These appearances reinforced that The Simpsons wasn’t just a cartoon—it was the place where cultural icons came to play.
Musical Guests – From the Beatles to Gaga
One of the show’s biggest draws has been its ability to attract music legends. Entire episodes revolved around bands or singers visiting Springfield, and the results were often unforgettable.
- Aerosmith were the first band to guest star, appearing in “Flaming Moe’s.” Their cameo opened the floodgates for dozens of other musicians.
- The Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, and Cypress Hill appeared in “Homerpalooza,” an episode that brilliantly captured 1990s music culture.
- U2 guest starred in “Trash of the Titans,” where Bono and the band helped lampoon American consumerism.
- Paul and Linda McCartney appeared in “Lisa the Vegetarian,” ensuring Lisa’s vegetarianism would remain permanent—a condition of Paul’s participation.
- Red Hot Chili Peppers appeared as themselves in “Krusty Gets Kancelled,” playing a hilarious, family-friendly version of “Give It Away.”
- Lady Gaga in “Lisa Goes Gaga” split opinion, but her flamboyant cameo showed the series could still attract 21st-century megastars.
Musical guests gave the show cultural immediacy—tying episodes to real-world figures and cementing Springfield as a hub of pop culture. Among all Simpsons celebrity guests, the musicians often created the most buzz.
Behind the Scenes: How Guest Spots Worked
Part of the magic of Simpsons celebrity guests lies in how they were handled behind the scenes. The writers often approached stars directly, sometimes tailoring entire episodes around them.
Some guests, like Albert Brooks, recorded with the cast and improvised heavily, creating unique energy. Others, like Michael Jackson, recorded in isolation. Occasionally, contractual quirks meant stars appeared uncredited (as with Dustin Hoffman and Jackson).
Notably, The Simpsons often poked fun at its own celebrity cameos. Episodes with Alec Baldwin, Kim Basinger, and Mel Gibson parodied Hollywood excess while still giving the stars room to shine. This self-awareness helped prevent cameos from feeling like shallow stunts.
The Legacy of Simpsons Celebrity Guests
From James Earl Jones’ booming narration to Kelsey Grammer’s Emmy-winning turn as Sideshow Bob, Simpsons celebrity guests have become an essential part of the show’s DNA.
In its golden years, celebrity appearances weren’t just gimmicks—they added to the storytelling, often blending seamlessly into Springfield’s world. Guest stars could lampoon themselves, voice original characters, or deliver heartfelt performances that gave episodes surprising emotional weight.
Even in later seasons, attracting big names remains a badge of honour. Appearing on The Simpsons means cultural recognition, a place in television history, and animated immortality.
Nearly 40 years on, Springfield continues to welcome celebrities of every generation, proving that Simpsons celebrity guests remain one of the show’s greatest strengths.
