If you’ve spent any time in a dorm over the past couple decades, you’ve probably encountered that poster of every character from The Simpsons. The show’s accumulated a massive collection of characters in the course of its 30 seasons and that number is still growing to the point that that poster has had to be updated throughout the years. Honestly, it’s probably due for another one.
But what about all those other characters? The ones that might not even make the cut for the “all-cast poster,” those one-off, one-joke, one-scene Simpsons characters that have still stayed etched into your memory for years? That’s the question Carlo Magliocco posed to Twitter earlier this week, and the many perfectly cromulent responses will inspire a trip into the Simpsons codex most readers of this site have stored in their brains.
There’s the Yakuza member battling it out with Fat Tony’s gang who is surely about to do something.
There are the various Borts perusing the Itchy and Scratchy Land gift shop, and the man driving the largest auto he could afford.
There’s Knifey-Spooney Guy (and probably just about every Australian character from that episode.)
There’s Springfield retiree Chief Break Everything.
There’s this guy, who shouldn’t have said Krusty was a customer, shouldn’t have said it was a secret, and certainly shouldn’t have said it was illegal.
So who is your favorite? Joey Jo-Jo Jr Shabadoo? Mr. McGreg, with a leg for an arm and and arm for a leg? The yelling Russian guy who would be happy to give Lisa directions to the museum?
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224 Comments
Find your soul mate, Homer.
A later-era episode, but I’m partial to Angelo:
C’mon, it’s Hank Scorpio. ‘But Homer, on your way out, if you want to kill somebody, it’d help me a lot’The very definition of a one episode wonder
Scorpio is the best, but too big a role.
Yeah, I need some clarification here. One episode max, or one scene max?
My interpretation was random one scene characters.
That’s correct. One SCENE characters only. Of which the clear winner is…
The “one scene” requirement technically rules out Homer Glumpet though, and I’m not having that.
those one-off, one-joke, one-scene Simpsons characters that have still stayed etched into your memory for years I think using “one-off” in this description really muddies the waters. A one-off character can have a large role in a single episode, or be a one-scene/one-joke type. As for Glumpet, I would make an allowance that his two appearances were part of the same running gag, so the second scene was an extension of one joke.
The rule says no Homers. You’re allowed to have one.
It should rule out the white-suited Yakuza guy, too, unless him crashing through the Simpsons’ kitchen window a minute later counts as the same scene.
“forgiveness please”
The original post literally clarifies this for you, so no speculation needed.
One scene, one line or less. That’s why Hank Scorpio doesn’t qualify.
The article clarifies, one episode, one scene.
Well if you read the original tweet (which is posted as part of the article), you’d have your answer.
Poochie or bust.
I like the guy pulling the copper out of the walls in that episode.
Ever see a guy say goodbye to a shoe?
Yeah, once.
I don’t recall saying “NOT one scene at most”…
Ever see a guy say goodbye to a shoe?
“Yes, Mr Scorpion”“Don’t call me Mr Scorpion. It’s Mr Scorpio. But don’t call me that either. Call me Hank!”
I dig that he carries sugar in his pockets….albeit packetless.
The article clarifies, one episode, one scene. If it were just a one off character for an episode, Scorpio and Frank Grimes would be up there for sure!
Albert Brooks rules.
You didn’t really ‘get’ what was going on here, and took it as an opportunity to talk about the single most overexposed guest star the show ever had in 30+ years.
Congratulations on your imminent dementia.
Sugar Guy.
Same episode, but the beekeeper guy:TO THE BEEMOBILE!
Simpson you diabolical…
You mean the Chevy?
I’m a bit more partial to his offsider, who is more subdued.“Oh, I understand now.”
Yep, this guy was my choice by a mile. He’s so entirely open and unapologetic about his actions. We should all aspire to be this guy.Also, I just love the sugar subplot so much. It should be an absolute nothing and yet it’s one of my favourite plots, B or otherwise, the show’s ever done. Homer’s speech about the “blue-noses” is perfect Homer thinking at work. Who are these city fathers? Why would they be clucking their tongues at him? No one knows but Homer, who has this whole other world in his head where this all makes perfect sense. And finally: “creamy middles”.
YES. What is his story?
Bad Bees! Ow. OWWWW! They’re defending themselves somehow!
“and I’d do it again *ssssllllluuurrrpppp* good bye”
IIRC, “Yes Guy” was in two episodes.
Just checked on YouTube and there are a few more, but they are later episodes that of course don’t count 😉
I stand corrected. A couple of the appearances I missed, as he didn’t say “Yesss!”
Plus he was just a reference to a real guy who cameo-ed in lots of stuff through the years, Frank Nelson.
Have you ever seen “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”? Know who Sydney Greenstreet is? Did you read the article?
Yes, no, yes.
https://www.newsfromme.com/pov/col053/Mark Evanier wrote a nice piece for his blog about working with Frank Nelson, late in his career.
If anyone wants 32 seconds of the original guy, enjoy!
Frank Nelson was also in “Garfield In Paradise.”
Wait wait wait waaaaaaait a minute. Since when do Simpsons fans have opinions?
Only about some things. No one, for example, has any opinions about when the series stopped being good; in fact, I’m pretty sure no one even thinks that happened.
it’s gotta be either joey jo-jo junior shabadoo, or guy incognito
Guy Incognito gets my vote. Although I’m also partial to Homer Glumpet too.
“YUH-HUCK!”
That dog has a puffy tail!
In no particular order:
Sideshow RaheemThe bee keeper who talks like Adam West’s BatmanBig Daddy from New Orleans
I’m partial to the one brief cameo that Matt Groening himself made:
Rex, who lost the part of George Washington in the school play to Ralph.
I asked for no broth. Away with you, lest my cane find your backside!
“Someone’s gotten to you, you deceitful cow!”
This bit starting at the 2 minute mark has TWO great one off characters. But I prefer the overly excited Texan…from Texas.
The ice cream guy was also in King Size Homer.
Well, it looks like the same guy, even though he’s got a different voice now.Maybe it’s a different ice cream guy?
Mr. Black
You mean Uncle Blackie?
It’s supposed to be random ONE-SCENE characters only, so characters who episodes are devoted to like Hank Scorpio or Poochie are NOT ELIGIBLE. The clear winner is The Guy Who Can’t Stop Hiccuping
No matter how many times you post this clip it’s still not very funny.
Best Ever? Likely not even the best part of that episode.
It’s supposed to be random ONE-SCENE characters only, so characters who episodes are devoted to like Hank Scorpio or Poochie are NOT ELIGIBLE.Poochie isn’t eligible, but I do believe Roy, that episodes’s real MVP, is.
Man, that’s cutting it close….don’t get me wrong, I love Roy, but he’s in more than one scene before he goes off to his new place with two sexy ladies, so it’s tough. I hope no one tells me to put a sock in it due to this opinion.
Sorry, the list starts and ends with Senor Ding Dong.
BONG
“Oh, you stupid Chevy.”
The best obscure Simpsons characters from chimpan-A to chimpan-Z
https://tv.avclub.com/the-best-obscure-simpsons-characters-from-chimpan-a-to-1798275948
In the episode where Bart, Milhouse, Nelson, and Martin go on a road trip to the World’s Fair, its the stressed out dad with the rambunctious kids in the back.
via GIPHY
My favorite had no lines at all, but he was so famous, they put him on the National Flag of a certain little Oceanic country named for the hit HBO show from the late 90s/early 2000s. No, I’m not talking about the Solomon Islands!
My guy is the Boot, from Australia
I’m more of a Royce McCutcheon guy.
The way Homer says “I am in flavor country.” is a favorite of mine.
“It’s a big country.”
I say “this is the largest car that I can afford” more than seems reasonable.
Auto
Should you therefore be made the subject of fun?
Of course, that guy has been in more than one episode.
Aw was he?The “of course” is a bit douchey.
Ian Maxtone Graham
“Maybe single people eat crackers, we don’t know. Frankly, we don’t want to know.”
My favourite part about that guy is the unnecessary meanness of, “I don’t recall saying good luck.”
I think about that quote every time Hollywood studios are surprised by a female led film becoming a major hit.
Dave Shutton, Springfield Daily Shopper:
Dave Shutton was in more than one episode.
I’m aware, I just love that clip.
Too many good ones to pick just one, but I have to think the proprietor of the sex farm for sex hookers is up there.
…Whoops.
It was just sorghum.
Where it’s always New Year’s Eve! Companion waiter for the hiccup guy!
No one gonna bring up Sideshow Raheem?
I wouldn’t.
Angry, angry young man
SIMPSONS PEDANTRY: He appears again as an attendee at Krusty’s (fake) funeral in “Bart the Fink”. It’s a non-speaking appearance though, so I don’t know if it counts.
Simpsons pedantry is my favorite kind of pedantry.
Clarification of correction for a Simpson episode with a Futurama meme!? That’s Groening Squared!!!!
I’m seeing double! Four Groening references!
Does Black Smithers count?
McCarther Parker
MacArthur Parker, the agent?
Guy coming out of a coma after 23 years!
Man, imagine if he’d woken up in 2019 and asked about Trump.
The bottom guy in the two story outhouse.
His anguished cry still haunts me.
Oh God NO!!
Leopold?
This scene has not one, but two, of the greatest one-off characters of all time:
Stuart!
That airplane crashed on my property!!
here’s another 2 for 1 classic:
Handsome Pete!!!
I still quote Crazy Vaclav, from the Place of Automobiles. “Put it in H!”
Me! Me! Me!
Freddy Quimby : Its Chowdah
Just noticed Benevenstanciano in an episode last night
The waiter who “looks like” John Travolta.
Reminds me of the Max Power episode:Marge: It was all a coincidence… like that guy named Anthony Michael Hall that stole your stereo.Bart: Yeah… coincidence.
Yeah, looks like.
Hugh Jass.
Security Guard who says “Well, I’m an idiot.” This is far and away the #1 most used Simpsons phrase in my vernacular.
The correct answer…
The correct answer is Pepito, the Biggest Cat in the Whole World
Lee Carvello
Guy Incognito.
Guy Incognito is great, but how about some love for that dog with the puffy tail?
Disco Stu, or Gil. Both of whom were created for 1 gag and then brought back later, but their initial gags are so good.
I choose the proprietor of the Box Factory:
Seymour’s joyful, knowing nod is priceless.
I was going to say Handsome Pete, who dances for nickels, but I can’t believe I forgot the Cayman Islands Banker. Living without air conditioning in a warming world means every summer day is a roll of the dice to see if I’ll do something stupid, sigh, and mutter “It’s too hot today.”
“Invent yourself some underpants” guy or “the finger thing means the taxes” guy or the phony Pope who can be recognized by his high top sneakers and incredibly foul mouth.
The ‘Yes I would Kent’ guy from Homer the Vigilante.
Aye, that’s Handsome Pete.
But… this isn’t a thing that starts or stops, but just something that happens all over the Internet, constantly…?
Non-guest star voiced: Guy Incognito.Guest star voiced: Colonel Hapablap
Jose Flanders, followed by very close second Lord Thistlewick Flanders.
The very tall man in a Volkswagen Beetle is in multiple episodes though:
https://simpsons.fandom.com/wiki/Ian_(Very_Tall_Man)
Does Señor Spielbergo count as a one-joke character or is he more like 1.5?
This hapless wee one affected by the teacher’s strike:
On mobile so I probably missed it, but has no one mentioned Frank Grimes?
It’s Crazy Vaclav of Crazy Vaclav’s Place of Automobiles. “Put it in H!”
My pick: the kid who said “Stop! Stop! He’s already dead!”
I also like Smelly Oscar. Sure, he’s the butt of the joke and doesn’t say it; but it was a good gag from the more recent seasons.
I think it’s implied that recent seasons don’t count
The Chuck Bronson kid:
Yep. Him and his mom were my pick!!!!
“Dis ain’t ovah.”
Mojo the Helper Monkey, though Stuart the Duck is also up there…
https://twitter.com/simpsonsqotd/status/654278723278143492?lang=en
Who could forget the greatest of the Seven Duffs?
Sorry, Surly.
What, no love for Sarah Plain and Tall?
This falls into the category of “Where did that come from?” Running joke in the writers room?
I mean…
What about the 90’s Gen X’ers from Homerpalooza. Voice of a generation:
Is one of those the same as the example of the“cynical members of Generation X” who thought an animation cell from Itchy and Scratchy was “groovy?”
“Ah No the Corn” Guy
I was thinking about that poor bastard just the other day.
Paul Newman?
Someone like Hank Scorpio or Frank Grimes immediately come to mind, but if you’re looking more for one-scene characters, I’ve always had a soft spot for Hugh Jass:
And, of course, this fellow:
Yup! Frogurt/Curio Shop owner guy takes the prize.
The Frogurt Guy’s conversation with Homer still, after all these decades, still holds up as one of the greatest Simpsons bits ever.
Frogurt guy has done more for potassium benzoate awareness than anyone else in history.
It’s only because of him that I know its presence in frozen yoghurt is bad.
I actually have a t-shirt of it. I wear it with pride. 😛
aw man, you need the seamless guy on here:
And with good cause!
I always thought the sheer variety of unrelated looking scenes from the Radioactive Man movie couldn’t possibly fit together into one film. Then I saw ‘Aquaman’.
Gummy Joe ftw.“Where would I be without ol’ Chomper here?”
Physics Professor
Tomacco Cow.
For some reason, fan of Richie Sakai, the karaoke-singing anesthesiologist
For some reason?! He’s cute AF.
I know who to ask…
Does this guy count?
Does this guy count?
Definitely not: https://simpsons.fandom.com/wiki/Old_Jewish_Man
The gay steel worker who starts the dance party.
I’d throw in the other guy, whose face you don’t see, from the steel mill: “Oh, be nice!”
Equally, “Hot stuff coming through”.
The “no one who speaks German can be bad” juror.
Homer Glumplett, or get out.
But I will also accept Homer’s subordinate bee guys.
Happiest Man in Springfield!!!!!!
Someone already chose my actual pick, the man who steals sugar from Homer’s sugar pile for his tea, but there’s a worthy runner up in Crazy Vaclav, proprietor of Crazy Vaclav’s Place of Automobiles:
“Put it in H!” is easily in my top 5 of Simpsons lines.
Tall Guy In Little Car Guy was in two episodes. He was also in The City of New York vs Homer Simpson.
I know he isn’t a one off but the owner of the Duff brewery saying “well that’s the end of me” will never not make me laugh.
Charles Bronson in Death Wish IX(It really is The Simpsons – Jay Sherman guested)
The “My Insulin” kid
The guy who watched wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too much Hee-Haw votes for everyone in this entire scene.
Khlav Kalash!
EWWWWWW!! I’ll take a crab juice!
I consider Mr. Sparkle to be a character.
On a visit to Japan, Homer was recognized as Mr. Sparkle. Is that still a one-off?
I always liked Dr Foster’s assistant near the end of Hurricane Neddy. 2:10 and 2:58 in the clip.
I had a friend that said that scene was all of graduate school in a nutshell.
I work IT support at a University. I’ve done work for that guy, worked in a team with that guy, and admittedly sometimes been that guy.
Giant-Handed Man: https://simpsons.fandom.com/wiki/Giant_Handed_Man
Johnny Tightlips. Though I think they brought him back in later episodes
The taste-tester for Red-Tick beer always sticks in my mind
Three way tie between Gordon, who’s a baker now!,Gummy Joe who’s vitality is credited to old chomper,And the fabulously named store clerk, my one true love, Benovan Stanchiano
The baby with the monobrow. I don’t know why, but I just love that scene.
You guys have come up with some great ones (The Borts are gonna be tough to beat), but here are some of my favorites:Bruno Drundridge, the Australian Dad. “900 dollar-idoos?!?!”
“The PTA has disbanded!” Guy.From the same episode, The Little Girl Stuck on the Rings in Gym. “HelllShotgun Nurse. “Our residents-BANG!-are trying-BANG!-to sleep!”
I always love the guy so upset that the PTA has disbanded.
Anyone mention Crazy Zaclav yet? I was originally going to say Thomas Pynchon’s cameo, but apparently he showed up in more than one episode.
The box, the box
“Beware the monsters, beware the monsters….. MONSTERSZZZZZZZZ…”My second favorite all time line! Maybe third!
“Quit stalling! What’s the plan?!”-guy from Bart’s comet, although he’s probably the same as ‘The PTA has disbanded!’-guy. In the same veign: ‘This enormous woman will devour us all!’- guy from the Barbershop Quartet.
This little fellow and his weird car:
Amazing how many people don’t get the concept.
The show is predicting robots taking over the world, we need scientists to use AI to make sure this doesn’t happen.
Mr. McGreg, with a leg for an arm, and an arm for a leg!
Hank Scorpio: Am I a joke to you?
I’d go with Roy from the Poochie episode. Although I’m pretty sure he was in 3 short scenes.
so i read every comment and man, do you guys have some good ones…the first one i instantly thought was “no pizza, only khlav kalash” … but im actually kinda shocked that no one said, the insanely rude and bratty kid, Gavin, whose Mom bought him and his sister Kaitlyn a copy of BONESTORM, “YOU IDIOTS!” (now that i called you all idiots, watch me be the idiot and i don’t even realize that he is in another episode! lol)
Haven’t seen Senor Ding Dong yet.
It’s a shame people didn’t give credit to the most reliable and honest character of all, who remembers Marge’s favorite magazine and goes out of his way to remind her he’s got the latest copy of “Sponge n’ Vacuum” for her…Mr Benevenstaciano! https://imgur.com/r/thesimpsons/Ntv8er1
Dr. Wolfe should have been in more than just one episode.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRXmfIlOzJQ