The Simpsons' Pamela Hayden, the Voice of Milhouse, Retires from Show After 35 Years: 'It's Been an Honor'

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Pamela Hayden; Milhouse Van Houten from The Simpsons.Photo:Amy Graves/Getty; Disney

Amy Graves/Getty; Disney

After 35 years of lending her voice to some ofThe Simpsons' most iconic characters, voice actress Pamela Hayden is ready to put down the mic.

Fox announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20 that Hayden, 70, is officially retiring from the show. While best known for voicing Bart Simpson’s best friend Milhouse Van Houten, she also was the voice behind bully Jimbo Jones, Ned Flanders' son Rod Flanders and Chief Wiggum’s wife Sarah Wiggum, among others.

She added, “Here’s to everyone who made this terrific ride I’ve been on possible. Thanks for 35 years!! Be well and happy. My best to you all. P.S. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for that blue-haired 10-year-old boy with glasses.”

A still from The Simpsons.Disney

Disney

Speaking to Hayden’s legacy, executive Producer James L. Brooks praised her for being “a model for having a great spirit for every cast she has been a part of.” Meanwhile, series creator Matt Groening noted how “Pamela gave us tons of laughs with Milhouse, the hapless kid with the biggest nose in Springfield. She made Milhouse hilarious and real, and we will miss her.”

“Pamela’s talent and joy and love for her characters has added a magic toThe Simpsonsthat will never be forgotten,” showrunner and executive producer Matt Selman said in a statement. “Everything’s coming up Pamela!”

(L-R) The Simpsons voice actors Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, Yeardley Smith, Tress MacNeille, Pamela Hayden and Karl Wiedergott.George Pimentel/WireImage

George Pimentel/WireImage

Hayden’s characters will be recast at a later date.

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Hayden had been a part ofThe Simpsonscast since 1989. Her iconic Milhosue character, named after former U.S. presidentRichard Milhous Nixon, first appeared in a Butterfinger commercial in 1989.

The long-running animated series is currently in its 36th season, which kicked off in September witha meta episode that was dubbed a “series finale.“Although the show has not officially been renewed for a 37th season, series creator Matt Groening has no plans to throw in the towel just yet.

“My standard answer is there’s no end in sight because anytime I speculate on the show ending, the people who work on it and diehard fans get very upset,” Groening, 70, toldUSA Todayin 2021. “So, I always say there’s no end in sight.”

The Simpsonsairs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.

source: people.com