Longtime Voice Actor for Milhouse on The Simpsons Retires
After 35 years of bringing the character of Milhouse Van Houten to life, Pamela Hayden, the voice actor behind the iconic role, has announced her retirement. Known for her work on “The Simpsons,” Hayden will be saying goodbye to the beloved character in a special “Treehouse of Horror” episode airing on Nov. 24.
Reflecting on her time on the show, Hayden expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work on such a groundbreaking and hilarious series. “It’s been an honor and a joy to have worked on such a funny, witty, and groundbreaking show,” she said in a statement.
Creator of “The Simpsons,” Matt Groening, praised Hayden for her contributions to the show, particularly her portrayal of Milhouse. “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,” Groening shared.
As Hayden steps down from her roles on the show, casting for her characters is currently in progress to find suitable replacements.
Milhouse first made his debut in a Butterfinger commercial in 1989 and was named after former U.S. president Richard Milhous Nixon. Groening humorously explained that he chose the name because it was “the most unfortunate name a kid could have.”
Throughout the series, Milhouse has been portrayed as a nearsighted character who is often the target of jokes and bullying, particularly from Nelson. Despite his misfortunes, Milhouse has been involved in many memorable storylines, such as being placed on America’s Most Wanted list by Bart or having his soul traded by Bart to the comic book store owner.
