Top 5 Classic Simpsons Guest Celebrity Appearances

The Simpsons has a long, rich history of celebrity appearances dating back to the show’s early days. Below are five of the best celebrity guest appearances from the 90’s listed in no particular order.

#1. Dustin Hoffman – Mr Bergstrom

In the nineteenth episode of the Simpsons second season, the show produced one of its most heartfelt early episodes. Dustin Hoffman appears as Mr. Bergstrom, Lisa’s substitute teacher whom she develops a crush for. For contractual reasons Hoffman was credited as Sam Etic, possibly a play on the word Semitic referencing both Hoffman’s and Bergstrom’s religion.

#2. Michael Jackson – Leon Kompowsky

Michael Jackson appeared in the first episode of season three as Leon Kompowsky, a heavy set, bald white man Homer meets in a mental institution with a heart of gold and the voice of a young, black woman. Jackson was credited as “John Jay Smith”. Jackson especially liked Bart and wanted to give him a #1 single, so he wrote much of the song ‘Do the Bartman’ without accepting credit for it.

#3. Danny DeVito – Herbert Powell

In the fifteenth episode of season two Danny DeVito appears as Homer’s successful brother Herb, who he was separated from at birth. After Herb was orphaned he went on to be a successful car manufacturer with a full head of hair and a mansion. The main recurring joke of the episode is how much of a failure Homer appears to be compared to his brother; an interesting commentary on the nature vs. nurture debate.

#4. Sam Neil – Catburgler

Season five episode eleven stars Sam Neil as the Catburgler. A crime wave hits Springfield, with the enigmatic Catburgler leaving his calling card at the scene of each crime. This episode makes a social commentary on the idea of community safety being taken too far with Homer setting up a disorderly vigilante group with aspirations for world domination.

#5. Glenn Close – Mona Simpson (Homer’s mother)

Homer’s mother, voiced by Glenn Close first appears in Danny DeVito’s episode, listed above, but makes her first main appearance in the eighth episode of the seventh season. Homer’s mother is brought back into her son’s life after Homer fakes his death and she returns for his funeral.