Milhouse’s voice actor Pamela Hayden is retiring, butThe Simpsonshas proven it can recast this iconic character instead of dropping him from the show entirely. Hayden, who also voices other beloved characters like Rod Flanders and Jimbo Jones, has announced she’s retiring from voice acting at age 70. She’s appeared in around 695 episodes of the classic animated series, and now, after 35 years, she’s ready to hang it up.Hayden’s retirement fromThe Simpsonsmarks the end of an era.
Now, the producers ofThe Simpsonsare presented with a choice. They can either retire the character of Milhouse or cast a new voice actor to play him. Hayden has shined in plenty ofgreat Milhouse-centric episodesover the years, and turned an ancillary character into one ofThe Simpsons’ most cherished icons. It’s a classic dilemma: Hayden is so inextricably tied to the role, but she’s made him so revered that the show wouldn’t feel the same without him. So, the question must be asked…is this the untimely end of Milhouse?
The Simpsons' History Suggests Milhouse Will Be Recast
The Show Has Already Recast Carl, Mr. Burns, & Dr. Hibbert
The Simpsons’ track record suggests that Milhouse won’t be retired; he’ll be recast. The series hastypically only retired characters when their voice actor has passed away. It retired Edna Krabappel after Marcia Wallace passed away and retired Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure after Phil Hartman passed away. The show has removed characters for other reasons — Apu was retired due to the controversy over using a white voice actor andDr. Marvin Monroe was retireddue to the strain on Harry Shearer’s voice — butThe Simpsonsalso has a long history of recasting roles.
Matt Groening took Milhouse’s name from Richard Nixon’s middle name.
Following further controversy around white actors voicing characters of color, the role of Dr. Hibbert was recast with Kevin Michael Richardson and the roles of Lou and Carl Carlson were recast with Alex Désert. Christopher Collins played Mr. Burns inThe Simpsonsseason 1before being replaced by Shearer.The Simpsonshas successfully recast voice roles in the past — as haveFamily Guy,Rick and Morty, andBig Mouth— so they’ll likely be able to replace Milhouse after Hayden’s exit.
The Simpsons Recasting Milhouse Would Be Better Than Retiring The Character Completely
There’s No Way For The Simpsons To Retire Milhouse In A Meaningful Way
Recasting the role is a much better option than retiring the character in this instance.Milhouse is too beloved a character to be removed fromThe Simpsonsat this point — it wouldn’t be the same show without him — and there’s no way to give the character a meaningful farewell.The Simpsonshas already done a couple of storylines about Bart losing his best friend, like in season 15, episode 12, “Milhouse Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” soany episode trying to give Milhouse a definitive send-off would feel like a rehash.
The Simpsons
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The Simpsons is an animated series set in the fictional town of Springfield, following the daily lives of the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Premiering in 1989, the show is renowned for its satirical commentary on politics, media, and American culture, featuring numerous celebrity guest appearances.
