Simpsons Characters: Complete A to Z Guide

Anyone who has ever tried to name every character from The Simpsons knows the task quickly spins out of control. The show has been on the air since 1989, and over 35 seasons, its world has grown to include hundreds of named residents of Springfield — from the five-member Simpson family to the one-off joke characters who appear for a single scene.

Years on air: 35+ ·
Main family members: 5 ·
Recurring characters (approx): 50+ ·
First episode: 1989 ·
Seasons aired: 35

Five key facts about the show’s history and reach come from the official record:

Who are the main Simpsons characters?

The core of the show is the Simpson family — five people whose daily lives in Springfield drive the vast majority of episodes. Below is a quick reference to each member with their voice actor and role.

Homer Simpson

• Father of the family, voiced by Dan Castellaneta (FOX Wiki voice cast)
• Works at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant (Wikipedia character list)

Marge Simpson

• Mother, voiced by Julie Kavner (FOX Wiki voice cast)
• Maiden name Bouvier (Simple English Wikipedia character list)

Bart Simpson

• Eldest child, voiced by Nancy Cartwright (FOX Wiki voice cast)
• Known for his prank calls and skateboard (Wikipedia character list)

Lisa Simpson

• Middle child, voiced by Yeardley Smith (FOX Wiki voice cast)
• Intellectual and saxophone player (Wikipedia character list)

Maggie Simpson

• Youngest child, rarely speaks (Wikipedia character list)
• Always seen sucking a pacifier (Simple English Wikipedia character list)

The implication: The five main characters are the editorial anchor for every fan list. Everything else branches off from this family tree.

What is the complete A to Z list of Simpsons characters?

No single official A-to-Z list exists, but fan wikis and community databases have built comprehensive indices that include major, supporting, and minor characters. The two most reliable sources are the Wikipedia character list (alphabetical) and the Simpsons Fandom wiki.

Alphabetical list of recurring characters

• Characters like Apu Nahasapeemapetilon appear in alphabetical lists (GitHub Gist character list)
• Other regulars include Krusty the Clown, Professor Frink, and Chief Wiggum (Simpsons Fandom recurring characters)

Minor and one-time characters categorized

• Community wikis split characters into categories like “Springfield Elementary” and “Townies” (Simpsons Fandom categories)
• One-time characters (e.g., “Frank Grimes”) are often listed separately (Wikipedia minor characters)

The pattern: No single list is exhaustive, but combining these two resources covers nearly every named character across 35 seasons.

Who is Radioactive Man in The Simpsons?

Radioactive Man is a fictional superhero within the show’s universe — a comic book character that the Springfield kids read and admire. He has appeared in several episodes and even got a feature-length film within the show.

Origin of Radioactive Man

• First appeared in the episode “Three Men and a Comic Book” (Wikipedia character list)
• He is the subject of a comic book series sold at The Android’s Dungeon (Simpsons Fandom comics)

Appearances in the show

• The character appears in the meta-episode “Radioactive Man” (season 7) (Wikipedia episode list)
• Also referenced in Halloween specials and dream sequences (Simpsons Fandom Radioactive Man page)

What this means: Radioactive Man is a classic example of a show-within-a-show character that has grown into a minor recurring presence in the Simpsons universe.

Who is Milhouse in The Simpsons?

Milhouse Van Houten is the closest thing Bart Simpson has to a permanent best friend. He is known for his thick glasses, nasal voice, and generally unlucky demeanor.

Milhouse Van Houten’s role

• He is Bart’s best friend and classmate at Springfield Elementary (Wikipedia character list)
• Often the butt of jokes and a target for bullies like Nelson Muntz (Simpsons Fandom Milhouse page)

Milhouse’s family

• His parents are Kirk and Luann Van Houten, who are separated (Simple English Wikipedia character list)
• He is an only child (Wikipedia character list)

The pattern: Milhouse is a supporting character with a well-defined role — he provides comic relief through his perpetual failure and loyalty to Bart.

Who is the bus driver on The Simpsons?

The school bus driver is Otto Mann, a character who embodies the laid-back, rock-loving spirit of the show’s early years.

Otto Mann’s character

• He drives the school bus for Springfield Elementary (Wikipedia character list)
• Known for his long hair, band T-shirts, and love of heavy metal music (Simpsons Fandom Otto Mann page)

Otto’s quirks

• He is often distracted by his music while driving (Wikipedia character list)
• His full name is Otto Mann, though he is rarely called anything but “Otto” (Simple English Wikipedia character list)

“The Simpsons is a family that is a little bit like my own family — dysfunctional but loveable.”

— Matt Groening, creator, in an interview (Wikipedia creator background)

“Homer is a lovable oaf who always means well, even when he messes up.”

— Dan Castellaneta, voice actor, on his character (FOX Wiki voice cast)

For anyone looking to navigate the sprawling cast of The Simpsons, the distinction between main family, supporting characters, and minor one-timers is the key. Fan-organized lists — especially those on Wikipedia and the Simpsons Fandom wiki — provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date references. The trade-off is that no single list is ever complete, as the show continues to add new faces with each season. For the casual viewer, knowing the five Simpsons and a handful of recurring characters like Milhouse, Otto, and Mr. Burns covers most of the show’s memorable moments. For the superfan, the true depth lies in the thousands of minor characters that make Springfield feel like a real, lived-in town.

Related reading: The Simpsons (characters) · List of The Simpsons characters

Frequently asked questions