Latest news with #PamelaHayden
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Simpsons reveals star who will voice iconic character as original actor replaced after 35 years in role
The star who will voice an iconic character in The Simpsons has been revealed as the original actor is replaced after 35 years in the role. Last year, it was announced actress Pamela Hayden, 71, would be retiring from the animated Fox series. She portrayed Milhouse Van Houten - one of Bart Simpson's friends known for his nerdy antics and a character who has been a staple part of the show since 1989. He also is also particularly known for his long crush on Lisa, Bart's younger sister. Now, it has been confirmed that Pamela will be replaced by Kelly Macleod who is the lead singer of female-fronted rock band Private Life. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. She portrayed Milhouse Van Houten (centre) - one of Bart Simpson's friends known for his nerdy antics and a character who has been a staple part of the show since 1989 Kelly made her debut on The Simpsons as Milhouse in the final episode of season 35 last weekend. It wasn't her first time on the show, the singer also portrayed a minor character back in 2022. As for Pamela, she also voiced a variety of other characters during her time on The Simpsons, including Jimbo Jones and Chief Wiggum's wife, Sarah Wiggum. In a statement, per Deadline, Hayden expressed, 'The time has come for me to hang up my microphone, but how do I say goodbye to The Simpsons?....Not easily.' 'It's been an honor and a joy to have worked on such a funny, witty, and groundbreaking show, and to give voice to Milhouse (and Jimbo Jones, Rod Flanders, Janey, Malibu Stacy, and many others).' Pamela continued, '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.' One of Pamela's other characters, sixth-grade bully Jimbo Jones had been a part of the beloved show since episode eight of the first season back in 1990. The menacing student became known for picking on Bart Simpson (Nancy Cartwright) and was originally played by Tress MacNeille, 73. Pamela took over the role in the second season and had portrayed the pesky character ever since. Last month it was been revealed who exactly had taken on Jimbo's role - Mo Collins, 59. She featured as the school bully for the very first time on Sunday's episode, P.S. I Hate You. The comic starred as several different characters in more than 150 episodes of sketch comedy MadTV. She announced her new endeavour on Instagram and posted: 'Some exciting news I've been waiting to share! 'I will be taking over as the voice of Jimbo Jones on the Simpsons! Big shoes to fill. Pamela Hayden has retired, and now remains a legend! Well earned!! 'Getting that first script and seeing my name on it? Cool!! Stepping into that massive studio? Cool!! Hearing my voice to the animatics?!! 'So cool!! Huge thanks to the producers of the show, especially Mike Price, whom I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with on F is For Family, and (currently) Lil Kev (watch it! It's soo good! BET+) This is RAD!!! The Simpsons is available to stream on E4 and Disney+.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The Simpsons reveals new actor for iconic character – as original star quits after 35 years
THE Simpsons has revealed the new voice actor for a beloved character - as the original star quit after 35 years. Aside from the titular family, several other Springfield residents have become show mainstays. 4 4 4 This includes Milhouse van Houten, fan favourite nerdy sidekick to Bart Simpson. His crush on Bart's younger sister Lisa is among the show's longest-running gags. The Milhouse character was named by show bosses after former US president Richard Milhous Nixon. In November 2024, the character's longtime voice actress Pamela Hayden announced her retirement from the show. Pamela had been apart of the long-running cartoon since it first premiered in 1989. The actress, 71, also lent her talents to bully Jimbo Jones and Ned Flanders' elder son, Rod. Meanwhile, singer Kelly Macleod has now taken over the role of Milhouse. Under the name Kelly Breznik, she was previously lead vocalist of rock band Private Life - a female-fronted rock band founded by Eddie Van Halen. She debuted as the character in season 35's final episode - titled "Estranger Things" - which aired over the weekend. However, Milhouse only had a minor role, appearing in a scene where he, Bart and Lisa are all grown-up. The Simpsons writer Steve Pepoon who also co-created hit kids' cartoon dies outside his home aged 68 Kelly appeared in The Simpsons previously, voicing a minor character in 2022. As for original actress Pamela, she addressed her departure in a statement to fans last year. She said: 'The time has come for me to hang up my microphone. "It's been an honor and a joy to have worked on such a funny, witty, and groundbreaking show… "I'll always have a special place in my heart for that blue-haired 10-year-old boy with glasses." She added it's not quite yet the end for her voice over career, saying she was leaving to "pursue other creative outlets." It comes as Emmy-winning Simpsons writer Steve Pepoon died unexpectedly earlier this month. A major achievement came with a Primetime Emmy he received for writing an episode of The Simpsons. He wrote season 2, episode 13 of The Simpsons titled Homer Vs. Lisa And The 8th Commandment, which aired on February 7, 1991.
New York Post
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘The Simpsons' finally reveal who will voice Milhouse character next
There's a new voice in Springfield. After voice actor Pamela Hayden retired in November after 35 years on 'The Simpsons,' singer Kelly Macleod will be taking over the one and only blue-haired Milhouse Van Houten. The singer is set to make her debut during Sunday's season finale 'Estranger Things,' Entertainment Weekly reports. 6 Bart Simpson (voice: Nancy Cartwright), Milhouse Van Houten (voice: Pamela Hayden), Lisa Simpson (voice: Yeardley Smith) on 'The Simpsons.' ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection The episode's official synopsis reads: 'When Bart & Lisa stop watching Itchy & Scratchy together, Marge fears that they'll start to drift apart… but she has no idea how bad things are about to get!' Despite Milhouse only having one line in the episode, she is no stranger to the long running sitcom. In 2022, Macleod appeared on 'The Simpsons' during Season 33, episode 15 titled 'Bart the Cool Kid.' 6 Milhouse Van Houten and Bart Simpson. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection 6 Milhouse Van Houten, voiced by Pamela Hayden. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection In the episode — which also starred The Weeknd and Michael Rapaport — the musician sang the song 'Two Badges, One Mind.' Macleod's music career kicked off in the rock band Private Life, with the group's 1990 song 'Touch Me' being featured in two films. The single was on the soundtrack of both 1992's 'Wayne's World' and 1990's 'Gremlins 2: The New Batch.' Additionally, she's performed with The Sweet Potatoes band for a decade, and released her first solo album 'Wide Open' in 2021. 6 Kelly Breznik Macleod. Macleod also has an acting credit, appearing in the 2009 short film 'Slice of Pie.' Hayden, 71, meanwhile announced she was retiring from the Fox sitcom with a touching tribute to her character. 'It's been an honor and a joy to have worked on such a funny, witty, and groundbreaking show, and to give voice to Milhouse (and Jimbo Jones, Rod Flanders, Janey, Malibu Stacy, and many others),' she shared at the time. 6 Kelly Breznik Macleod poses on Instagram. 'Here's to everyone who made this terrific ride I've been on possible,' Hayden continued. 'P.S. I'll always have a special place in my heart for that blue-haired 10-year-old boy with glasses.' 'The Simpsons' has run for 36 seasons since its 1989 debut. 'How many actors can say they've worked on a show for 35 years straight?' Hayden told Variety in November. 'That alone is amazing. But it was time for me to devote my time to other creative endeavors that I have, like filmmaking. It was a tough decision, but I feel like it was the right one.' 6 Pamela Hayden attends Kash Hovey And Friends At Film Fest LA At LA Live 2023 at Regal LA Live on November 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images for Kash Hovey The actress also voiced school bully Jimbo Jones, Rod Flanders, Lisa's friend Janey Powell and Chief Wiggum's wife Sarah. Prior to 'The Simpsons,' she worked on 'Hey Arnold,' 'Pinky and the Brain,' 'The New Batman Adventures' and 'Recess.' 'It's just not like anything I've ever worked on,' Hayden gushed about the series. 'It's a once-in-a-lifetime job on a once-in-a-lifetime show. But being an actor, I think you're kind of used to taking risks. That's the kind of person I am. I'm not about playing things safe. And there were other things I wanted to do. I think you throw it against the wall and see what sticks.'
