The Simpsons Characters Tier List, Ranked
Thirty-plus seasons, hundreds of episodes, and somehow Springfield still has more memorable characters than most shows manage in their entire run. We went through all 34 of the big names, from the family at the center of it all to the one-episode wonders who stuck around anyway.
This is our take based on what fans and critics tend to agree on across forums, rewatch podcasts, and years of "best Simpsons character" debates, with our own judgment thrown in whenever the arguments split down the middle. Disagree? That's half the fun of a list like this. Rank them yourself and see how close you land.
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SS Tier: The heart of Springfield
Homer Simpson
The most quoted doofus in TV history, and somehow still sympathetic after thousands of donuts and dumb decisions. Homer works because he's selfish and dumb but never cruel, which is a harder balance than it looks. Strangling Bart is a punchline precisely because we know he'd never really hurt him.
About Homer Simpson
The bumbling patriarch of the Simpson family, working at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and frequenting Moe's Tavern. He's the show's lead and one of the most recognizable cartoon characters in the world.
- Occupation
- Safety inspector
- Catchphrase
- D'oh!
Marge Simpson
The blue hair and the groan are iconic, but Marge's real gift is being the show's moral center without ever being boring. Episodes like the ones where she gets a real career or a real grievance prove she's funnier than 'the mom who worries' suggests.
About Marge Simpson
The level-headed mother of the Simpson family, known for her tall blue hair and patient groan. She frequently serves as the show's moral compass.
- Role
- Homemaker
Bart Simpson
He sold the show on T-shirts before most people had seen a single episode, and the prank calls to Moe's still hold up. Bart's a brat with an actual soul underneath, which is why 'Eat my shorts' never got old.
About Bart Simpson
The mischievous ten-year-old son, famous for skateboarding, prank calls, and writing lines on the chalkboard during the opening credits.
- Age
- 10
- Catchphrase
- Eat my shorts
Mr. Burns
Ancient, evil, and somehow still the most quotable villain in animation. 'Excellent' and the finger-steepling are shorthand everywhere now, and 'Who Shot Mr. Burns?' remains one of the show's best stunts.
About Mr. Burns
The ancient, villainous owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and Homer's boss. Known for his frailty, greed, and his assistant Smithers.
- Occupation
- Plant owner
Ned Flanders
A religious neighbor who could've been a cheap punching bag but became one of the show's richest characters instead. Ned's niceness is the joke and the heart at the same time, which is why fans still argue over how the show treats him in later seasons.
About Ned Flanders
The Simpsons' devoutly religious next-door neighbor, known for his relentless cheerfulness and his 'okily dokily' catchphrase.
- Occupation
- Leftorium owner
AA Tier: Can't imagine the show without them
Moe Szyslak
The saddest bartender on television, and somehow that sadness is hilarious. Moe's rat-hole of a bar, his loneliness, and his violent backstory shouldn't be funny, but 'Moe's Tavern, Moe speaking' always gets a laugh.
About Moe Szyslak
Moe Szyslak is the gruff, lonely bartender and owner of Moe's Tavern, a regular hangout for Homer and his friends. He is known for his bitterness, failed schemes, and the running gag of prank phone calls from Bart.
- Voiced by
- Hank Azaria
- Occupation
- Bartender, owner of Moe's Tavern
Krusty the Clown
A chain-smoking, washed-up kids' entertainer is a genius bit of satire on children's TV, and Krusty's never stopped being funny about it. His fall from and return to grace in 'Krusty Gets Kancelled' is some of the show's sharpest industry commentary.
About Krusty the Clown
Krusty the Clown, born Herschel Krustofsky, is Springfield's beloved but cynical and burnt-out television clown on The Simpsons. He hosts his own long-running children's show and is Bart and Lisa's idol, despite his chain-smoking, gambling and generally sleazy behind-the-scenes persona.
- Voiced by
- Dan Castellaneta
- Occupation
- Children's TV show host
- Trait
- Jewish heritage, estranged from his rabbi father Hyman Krustofsky
Sideshow Bob
Opera-trained voice, rake gags, and a Shakespearean grudge against a ten-year-old. Bob is the rare recurring villain whose episodes people actively look forward to, which says everything about how well Kelsey Grammer sells the menace.
About Sideshow Bob
Sideshow Bob, full name Robert Underdunk Terwilliger, is a former television sidekick turned recurring criminal mastermind obsessed with killing Bart Simpson, known for his tall hair and Shakespearean manner of speaking.
- Voiced by
- Kelsey Grammer
- Role
- Recurring villain
Lisa Simpson
The smartest person in Springfield and often the loneliest, which gives the show some of its real emotional weight. Lisa's sax solos and vegetarian crusades could feel preachy, but they mostly land because she's allowed to be wrong sometimes too.
About Lisa Simpson
Lisa is the intellectual, socially conscious middle child of the Simpson family, known for playing the saxophone and holding progressive views that often put her at odds with Springfield's status quo. She is a vegetarian, a Buddhist convert in later seasons, and frequently serves as the show's moral center.
- Voiced by
- Yeardley Smith
- Age
- 8 years old
- Instrument
- Saxophone
- Relation
- Daughter of Homer and Marge, sister of Bart and Maggie
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
Owner of the Kwik-E-Mart and one of the most debated characters the show has ever produced. He's genuinely funny ('Thank you, come again' entered the culture for a reason), but the conversation around his portrayal is part of his legacy now too.
About Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
Apu is the owner and operator of the Kwik-E-Mart convenience store in Springfield. He holds multiple advanced degrees, has a wife named Manjula and octuplet children, and was for many years one of the show's most recognizable supporting characters.
- Voiced by
- Hank Azaria
- Occupation
- Kwik-E-Mart owner
- Origin
- Immigrated from India
Nelson Muntz
That 'Ha-ha' is one of the most recognizable sounds to come out of the show, and Nelson's got more going on under the bully routine than most schoolyard villains get. His broken home backstory adds just enough shading to keep him from being a one-note thug.
About Nelson Muntz
Nelson Muntz is Springfield Elementary's resident bully, famous for his mocking laugh 'Ha-ha!' directed at others' misfortunes, though he's shown to have a softer, more complicated side.
- Voiced by
- Nancy Cartwright
- Catchphrase
- Ha-ha!
- Role
- School bully
Groundskeeper Willie
A furious, feral Scottish groundskeeper who somehow gets funnier every time he shows up shirtless with a rake. His rants about the school, the kids, and everything else are peak background-character comedy.
About Groundskeeper Willie
Groundskeeper Willie is the fiery, short-tempered Scottish janitor at Springfield Elementary School, known for his thick accent and aggressive demeanor.
- Voiced by
- Dan Castellaneta
- Role
- School groundskeeper, Springfield Elementary
- Nationality
- Scottish
BB Tier: Reliable scene-stealers
Barney Gumble
The town drunk with a surprisingly good singing voice, and one of the more tragic figures played mostly for laughs. His belch and his occasional moments of competence (that bowling episode) make him more than a one-joke lush.
About Barney Gumble
Barney Gumble is Homer's longtime friend and Springfield's resident town drunk, usually found slumped at Moe's Tavern. Despite his alcoholism and slovenly appearance, episodes have shown glimpses of hidden talent and intelligence, including a stint sober and a passion for film.
- Voiced by
- Dan Castellaneta
- Known for
- Catchphrase belch
- Hangout
- Moe's Tavern
Milhouse Van Houten
Bart's loyal, luckless sidekick, famous for never getting the girl and somehow still being everybody's favorite underdog. 'Everything's coming up Milhouse' is one of the show's better running gags precisely because it almost never does.
About Milhouse Van Houten
Milhouse Van Houten is Bart Simpson's loyal best friend, an awkward, blue-haired boy often the target of bad luck and unrequited crush on Lisa Simpson.
- Voiced by
- Pamela Hayden
- Role
- Bart's best friend
Principal Skinner
The steamed hams episode alone could carry his legacy at this point, and that's before you factor in his mother, his Vietnam stories, and his endless war with Superintendent Chalmers. A reliably great straight man for the show's weirder characters.
About Principal Skinner
Seymour Skinner is the uptight, rule-following principal of Springfield Elementary School and a Vietnam War veteran, frequently butting heads with Bart and dominated by his overbearing mother.
- Voiced by
- Harry Shearer
- Role
- Principal, Springfield Elementary
Chief Wiggum
Springfield's laziest cop, and proof the show can make incompetence endlessly funny. His donut obsession and general cluelessness make every police-related plot a little better.
About Chief Wiggum
Clancy Wiggum is Springfield's bumbling, donut-loving chief of police, known for his incompetence and laid-back approach to law enforcement.
- Voiced by
- Dan Castellaneta
- Role
- Chief of Police
Ralph Wiggum
'My cat's breath smells like cat food' and 'I'm a Unitard' are the kind of non-sequiturs that stick in your head for years. Ralph is pure comic relief, and the show wisely never tries to make him anything more.
About Ralph Wiggum
Ralph Wiggum is Chief Wiggum's son and a classmate of Lisa's, beloved for his innocently absurd, non-sequitur one-liners and general obliviousness.
- Voiced by
- Nancy Cartwright
- Role
- Student, Springfield Elementary
Edna Krabappel
A burned-out teacher with a drinking problem and a dry wit, Edna brought something genuinely different to the faculty lineup. Her relationship with Skinner gave the show some rare grounded, adult romantic comedy.
About Edna Krabappel
Edna Krabappel is Bart's cynical, chain-smoking fourth-grade teacher at Springfield Elementary, known for her weary sarcasm and on-again relationship with Principal Skinner.
- Voiced by
- Marcia Wallace
- Role
- Fourth-grade teacher, Springfield Elementary
Waylon Smithers
Burns's devoted, long-suffering assistant, forever hoping his boss notices him in a way he never does. Smithers works best as the straight man absorbing all of Burns's cruelty with a smile.
About Waylon Smithers
Waylon Smithers Jr. is the devoted, obsequious personal assistant to Springfield Nuclear Power Plant owner Mr. Burns. He is openly gay, harbors a long-standing affection for his boss, and is known for his meticulous, loyal service.
- Voiced by
- Harry Shearer
- Occupation
- Executive assistant to Mr. Burns
- Workplace
- Springfield Nuclear Power Plant
Professor Frink
The mad scientist stammer and the 'glavin' catchphrase shouldn't work as well as they do, but Frink's a great example of a background character elevated by a single, committed vocal performance.
About Professor Frink
Professor John Frink is Springfield's eccentric, nervously stuttering scientist, known for his wild inventions and exaggerated speech pattern of 'glavin' and other nonsense interjections.
- Voiced by
- Hank Azaria
- Profession
- Scientist/inventor
Abe Simpson
The rambling old man whose stories never go anywhere is a genuinely great running bit, especially once you realize how much of Homer's future is sitting right there in his dad. 'I used to be with it' remains one of the show's best lines about aging.
About Abe Simpson
Abraham 'Grampa' Simpson is Homer's elderly father, a World War II veteran known for his rambling, often incoherent stories and residence at the Springfield Retirement Castle. He frequently feels neglected by his family while providing comic relief through his old-timer perspective.
- Voiced by
- Dan Castellaneta
- Residence
- Springfield Retirement Castle
- Relation
- Father of Homer Simpson
Santa's Little Helper
The family dog doesn't need dialogue to be a fixture of the show, and his origin story (a washed-up greyhound nobody wanted) is one of the more quietly touching bits of Simpsons history.
About Santa's Little Helper
Santa's Little Helper is the Simpson family's pet greyhound, originally a racing dog adopted by Bart after he was abandoned by his owner on Christmas Eve.
- Species
- Greyhound
- First appearance
- Season 1, 'Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire'
- Owner
- The Simpson family
Maggie Simpson
She barely talks and still gets some of the show's best wordless gags, including shooting Mr. Burns in one of the bigger plot twists the show ever pulled off. A character who proves the show doesn't need dialogue to land a joke.
About Maggie Simpson
Maggie is the youngest Simpson child, a perpetually pacifier-sucking infant who rarely speaks but is often shown to be remarkably perceptive and capable for her age. Her silent antics and occasional moments of surprising competence are a recurring source of humor.
- Voiced by
- Nancy Cartwright (vocal effects, among others)
- Relation
- Youngest child of Homer and Marge Simpson
- Known for
- Constant pacifier use
Comic Book Guy
'Worst episode ever' became an internet catchphrase before the internet even had catchphrases. He's a broad caricature, but a dead-on one for anyone who's spent time in a comic shop.
About Comic Book Guy
Comic Book Guy, real name Jeff Albertson, is the owner of The Android's Dungeon comic shop, known for his sarcastic, condescending commentary and catchphrase 'Worst. Episode. Ever.'
- Voiced by
- Hank Azaria
- Role
- Owner of The Android's Dungeon
- Catchphrase
- Worst. Episode. Ever.
CC Tier: Good for a laugh, not much more
Kent Brockman
The local news anchor whose panic spirals ('I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords') are a great running gag on media hysteria. He rarely carries an episode, but he reliably makes the ones he's in a little funnier.
About Kent Brockman
Kent Brockman is Springfield's pompous, self-important local news anchor for Channel 6, known for his dramatic reporting style and occasional on-air panic.
- Voiced by
- Harry Shearer
- Profession
- News anchor, Channel 6
Dr. Hibbert
That odd, ill-timed chuckle at terrible news is basically his whole character, and it works every time it shows up. A solid background player who never needed much more than that laugh to be memorable.
About Dr. Hibbert
Dr. Julius Hibbert is Springfield's main physician, known for his oddly timed, jovial laughter when delivering news, both good and bad, to his patients.
- Voiced by
- Harry Shearer
- Profession
- Family doctor
Mayor Quimby
A Kennedy-accented, corrupt politician who's funny mostly in small doses. He's a reliable punchline about local government, even if he rarely gets much to do beyond being shady.
About Mayor Quimby
Mayor Diamond Joe Quimby is Springfield's corrupt, philandering mayor, known for his Kennedy-esque accent and willingness to pander to whatever will keep him in office.
- Voiced by
- Dan Castellaneta
- Role
- Mayor of Springfield
Itchy & Scratchy
The show-within-the-show satire on cartoon violence is clever, but it works best as commentary rather than as characters you root for. Great concept, thinner on its own than most entries this high up other lists would suggest.
About Itchy & Scratchy
Itchy and Scratchy are the ultra-violent cat and mouse cartoon duo that Bart and Lisa watch on television, serving as a parody of classic cartoons like Tom and Jerry.
- Format
- Cartoon within a cartoon
- Known for
- Extreme, graphic violence played for comedy
Fat Tony
Springfield's mob boss is a fun recurring bit ('Is this the famous Chief Wiggum of the Springfield police?'), but he's more of a plot device than a character with much depth.
About Fat Tony
Fat Tony is the suave mob boss of Springfield's organized crime family on The Simpsons. He speaks with a stereotypical gangster accent and is often seen alongside his associates Legs and Louie.
- Voiced by
- Joe Mantegna
- First appearance
- Season 3
- Role
- Springfield mob boss
Kang and Kodos
The alien duo basically only exist for Treehouse of Horror, but they make the most of it every single time. Limited screen time all year, consistently funny when it counts.
About Kang and Kodos
Kang and Kodos are the tentacled, green alien duo from the planet Rigel 7 who appear primarily in the Treehouse of Horror Halloween episodes. They often impersonate humans and comment on pop culture and politics.
- Voiced by
- Harry Shearer (Kang) and Dan Castellaneta (Kodos)
- Known for
- Treehouse of Horror segments
- Origin
- Planet Rigel 7
Duffman
'Oh yeah!' and the exaggerated beer-mascot energy is a one-joke character, but it's a good joke that never really overstays its welcome because he barely shows up.
About Duffman
Duffman is the exaggerated, muscle-bound mascot for Duff Beer, known for his catchphrase 'Oh yeah!' and his enthusiastic, if often troubled, personal life.
- Role
- Mascot for Duff Beer
- Catchphrase
- Oh yeah!
DD Tier: Faded a little over time
Lionel Hutz
A genuinely funny bad lawyer bit, but one that got less screen time over the years for reasons beyond the writers' control. Great in the episodes he's in, just not enough of them to rank higher.
About Lionel Hutz
Lionel Hutz is the incompetent, ethically dubious lawyer frequently hired by the Simpson family. His office operates under various names and he's known for his catchphrase-worthy courtroom blunders.
- Voiced by
- Phil Hartman
- Profession
- Lawyer
- Note
- Also worked as Santa's helper and other side jobs
Troy McClure
'You may remember me from' is a terrific running gag about washed-up celebrities, but like Hutz, his presence faded over time. More of a beloved footnote than a major character at this point.
About Troy McClure
Troy McClure is a washed-up Hollywood actor known for starring in forgettable films and instructional videos, often introducing himself with 'You may remember me from...'.
- Voiced by
- Phil Hartman
- Catchphrase
- You may remember me from such films as...
FF Tier: One episode and done
Frank Grimes
Grimey exists for exactly one episode and one purpose: to make a very pointed argument about how absurd Homer's life actually is. It's a genuinely great episode, but as a character he's designed to be unlikable and short-lived, so there's not much more to rank him on.
About Frank Grimes
A hardworking plant employee introduced in a single season 8 episode as a foil to Homer, meant to highlight how absurd Homer's lucky, carefree life really is.
- First appearance
- Season 8, 'Homer's Enemy'
How we ranked them
We weighed comedic value, how well the character holds up after decades of episodes, cultural impact outside the show, and whether they still land jokes in later seasons or just coast on old material. Characters who defined entire eras of the show (or the medium) rank higher than one-note gags, even beloved ones. Longevity and consistency counted for a lot. So did that intangible thing where a character shows up and the episode just gets better.
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Rank these yourselfFAQ
Who is the most popular Simpsons character?
Homer Simpson, by a wide margin. He's the most quoted and most recognized character the show has produced.
Is Apu still in The Simpsons?
Apu's role has been scaled back in recent years amid debate over his portrayal, though he hasn't been fully removed from the show.
Who voices most of the side characters?
A small group of voice actors, including Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer, voice dozens of Springfield's residents between them.
What episode is Frank Grimes in?
Frank Grimes appears in the season 8 episode 'Homer's Enemy,' widely considered one of the show's darkest and best.
Why do fans argue about Sideshow Bob?
Fans don't argue much about his quality, he's broadly loved, but they do debate which of his episodes is the best, with 'Cape Feare' usually winning.
More rankings
Image credits
- Homer SimpsonCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Marge SimpsonCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Bart SimpsonCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Mr. BurnsImage: Simpsons Wiki (Fandom), © its owner · Source
- Ned FlandersCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Moe SzyslakCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Krusty the ClownCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Sideshow BobImage: Simpsons Wiki (Fandom), © its owner · Source
- Lisa SimpsonCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Apu NahasapeemapetilonCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Nelson MuntzCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Groundskeeper WillieCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Barney GumbleCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Milhouse Van HoutenImage: Simpsons Wiki (Fandom), © its owner · Source
- Principal SkinnerCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Chief WiggumCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Ralph WiggumCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Edna KrabappelCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Waylon SmithersCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Professor FrinkCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Abe SimpsonCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Santa's Little HelperCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Maggie SimpsonCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Comic Book GuyCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Kent BrockmanCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Dr. HibbertCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Mayor QuimbyCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Itchy & ScratchyCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Fat TonyCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Kang and KodosCover: Wikipedia · Source
- DuffmanCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Lionel HutzCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Troy McClureCover: Wikipedia · Source
- Frank GrimesImage: Simpsons Wiki (Fandom), © its owner · Source