The Simpsons: Who are the voice actors behind the characters?

It takes a lot of hard work to put together a television show, and The Simpsons is no exception. The writers may provide the characters' backgrounds and structure, but the voice actors bring them to life and make them legendary. That goes for any show's successful formula, but when you perform on the same series for well over three decades, you deserve some honorary recognition.

With that said, let's meet the voice actors of The Simpsons, who have with the show since their early days. Homer wouldn't be Homer without Dan Castellaneta's deliverance of "D'oh!" or Bart wouldn't be Bart without Nancy Cartwright's devilish brew ensouling within him.

Meet The Simpsons' voice actors of the characters

Hank Azaria

Azaria is the latest addition to the cast, even though he has been with The Simpsons since season 1. This is because he wasn't a member of The Tracy Ullman Show, where the animated comedy began in 1987. His first line was Moe Szyslak's "Aww, what's a-matter, Homer?" in "The Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire." And the rest is history.

Currently, Azaria voices several recurring characters: Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, Superintendent Chalmers, Cletus Spuckler, Duffman, Professor Frink, Snake Jailbird, and the Sea Captain, plus several more.

Up until 2017, Azaria voiced Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, but stepped down from the after the character was found to racially offensive and stereotypical of South Asians.

Nancy Cartwright

Aside from voicing Bart Simpson, Cartwright additionally voice several other young male characters. They include: Todd Flanders, Nelson Muntz, Kearny, Ralph Wiggum, Database, and Maggie Simpson.

She has been part of The Simpsons' family since 1987.

Dan Castellaneta

Castellaneta voices a chunk of The Simpsons' characters and, at any given time, can easily slip into them. Like his costar, Cartwright, he's been with the show since Day One, and 37 years later, he's still going strong.

We all know Castellaneta does Homer and his earlier voice is based on Walter Matthau, but did you know that he also voices Abe Simpson, Barney Gumble, Hans Moleman, Alien Kodos, Mayor Joe Quimby, The Rich Texan, Sideshow Mel, Groundskeeper Willie, Itchy, The Yes Guy, Gil Gunderson, Arnie Pie, an many of Homer's relatives.

Julie Kavner

Kavner is another original cast member who provides Marge Simpson's voice. With Marge, she also breathes life into her twin sisters, Patty and Selma Bouvier, and their mother, Jacquline.

Harry Shearer

Shearer does the most characters on the show, and has been with The Simpson since it's first season. My personal favorites include Burns, Smithers, Kane, and Flanders, as they reflect differently, but work wonders.

Now, who else does he work with? Let's take a look!

Shearer voices Skinner, Lovejoy, Alien Kang, Jasper, Scratchy, Lenny, Rainier Wolfcastle, Otto Mann, Scratchy, Eddie, Kent Brockman, KBBL's Marty, God, and Jebediah Springfield, plus many more.

Before Kevin Michael Richardson was casted as Dr. Julius Hibbert, Shearer was his original voice.

Yeardley Smith

Last but not least, is Yeardley Smith. You know her as Lisa Simpson, but she also provides the vocal effects of Lisa's many alter egos, and the vocal effects of Maggie Simpson. Smith is also one of the original four members.

The Simpsons airs Sundays on Fox and can be streamed on Disney+ and Hulu.