Meet the ‘Parks and Rec’ Fan-Favorite Who’s Taking Over the Voice of Jimbo Jones on ‘The Simpsons’
Simpsons star and voice acting legend Pamela Hayden has retired from the show, and as the show looks for new actors to fill the voice roles of iconic Simpsons characters, one fellow comedy great is ready to assume the mantle — or, in this case, the cord.
Back in November, Hayden announced that, after 35 years on The Simpsons, she was ready to step away from the show and let other voice actors take over such roles as the memeable sad-sack Milhouse van Houten, the hilariously pure Rod Flanders and Corky Jimmy “Jimbo” Jones, the beanie-wearing bully who is the de facto second-in-command of Springfield Elementary’s roughnecks to Nelson Muntz. While Jimbo may not be as heavily featured as Nelson and certainly hasn’t shown such poetic depths of sensitivity and Andy Williams-appreciation as the lead bully, Jimbo is still an iconic Springfieldian who is responsible for many of the show’s most memorable moments and least tradeable belts.
This article not your thing? Try these...
Starting in The Simpsons Season 37, the role of Jimbo will be played by Mo Collins, a veteran comedienne and MADtv alumna who is arguably best known for playing the petty and chaotic newscaster Joan Callamezzo in 20 episodes of Parks and Recreation. Collins will find the transition from Pawnee to Springfield to be remarkably seamless.
Collins, 59, has been a staple of comedy on television since breaking through with MADtv back in 1998. Collins appeared on 150 total episodes of MADtv, becoming one of the show’s most popular character actors and celebrity impressionists. Following her TV debut on the iconoclastic sketch show, Collins began adding entries in her filmography for just about every cult-beloved and mainstream hit comedy series, such as Family Guy, Invader Zim, Arrested Development and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
But even now that Jimbo has a new voice, the biggest question about Hayden’s departure still remains: Who will play Milhouse? In its exclusive scoop about Collins’ casting, Entertainment Weekly reported, “A new voice performer for Milhouse will be announced later this season.” As unlikely as it would be, given that The Simpsons has only revealed her as Jimbo, I’d like to see Collins get a shot to wow us as Thrillho.
As one of the most prolific actors in situational comedy, it’s almost a surprise that Collins hasn’t already played a side character on The Simpsons, but with her veteran ability and comedic range, she is more than a welcome addition to the Simpsons cast.
Okay, Simpsons, you win this round.