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26 Surprising ‘Simpsons’ Cameos and Snubs

The only thing more surprising than the people who have said yes to ‘Simpsons’ cameos are the people who said no

26 Surprising ‘Simpsons’ Cameos and Snubs

July 19, 2023

The Simpsons have been on the air for more than 30 years, and in that time, they’ve had their fair share of amazing cameos. From presidents to Hollywood A-listers, it seems like everyone has made an appearance on the show at some point. That said, there have been a few surprising snubs when it comes to cameos on The Simpsons. Here are a few of the most notable ones…

26

JULIAN ASSANGE is no Ned Flanders CRACKEDG Assange invites new neighbors the Simpsons over for a movie. Is it the murder of Iraqi journalists? Don't be ridiculous, says Assange, it's the bombing of an Afghan wedding. In return, Homer offers Assange a secret: I'm not wearing any underwear. — Source: 13 Non-Entertainers Who Got Animated on The Simpsons

25

MARTHA STEWART knows the true meaning of Christmas CRACKED.COM When Marge needs holiday help, Stewart knits a jetpack and soars to Springfield. Reminding Marge that magical memories don't make themselves, she duct-tapes Bart and Milhouse into Nutcracker soldiers. — Source: 13 Non-Entertainers Who Got Animated on The Simpsons

24

GARY LARSON works on the Far Side of Capitol City the CRACKED.COM Other nuclear power plants let workers tape Gary Larson cartoons on their workstations, says a recruiter for a rival power plant. But at Cap City, you can see the man himself, coming out of retirement as the nuclear plant's in-house cartoonist. — Source: 13 Non-Entertainers Who Got Animated on The Simpsons

23

KEN BURNS loves two things number CRACKED.COM That's baseball and jazz. They SO consumed my life I never had time for a proper haircut. — Source: 13 Non-Entertainers Who Got Animated on The Simpsons

22

Mark Zuckerberg

MARK ZUCKERBERG was defusing Social Network CRACKED.COM The BBC theorizes the cameo was a stab at deflecting attention from the unflattering movie. Zuck meets Lisa and Nelson at an entrepreneurial exhibition, admitting he dropped out of Harvard. I'll get the best kind of degree - honorary, baby. — Source: 13 Non-Entertainers Who Got Animated on The Simpsons

21

Elon Musk

ELON MUSK uses 'muskrulez' : as a password CRACKED Rather than a quick cameo, Musk essentially stars in this tepid episode. Tepisode? Looking for new things to invent, he finds himself inspired by Homer's stupid ideas. As Lisa notes, for a man who likes electric cars, he sure burns a lot of rocket fuel. — Source: 13 Non-Entertainers Who Got Animated on The Simpsons

20

DAVID MAMET learns the value of &*%$ profanity CRACKEDco The playwright had a gig writing for 80s sitcom Thicker Than Waters when the dad cusses him out for a subpar script. Mamet takes note, jotting down the most colorful swear words for Glengarry Glenn Ross. — Source: 13 Non-Entertainers Who Got Animated on The Simpsons

19

ANTHONY BOURDAIN knows a good Singapore street-food market CRACKED.COM Marge finds a new career as a food blogger, prompting Bourdain to appear in her dream sequence. There's nowhere I won't go and nothing I won't eat... as long as I'm paid in emeralds and my hotel room has a bidet that shoots warm champagne. — Source: 13 Non-Entertainers Who Got Animated on The Simpsons

18

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN keeps saying no CRACKED.COM Remember when Sting dug Bart out of the well? Written for the Boss. Staff tried to bribe him with a Simpsons jacket. Still no. Matt Groening tried for The Simpsons Movie. We keep asking him and he keeps turning us down! — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

17

Tom Cruise

TOM CRUISE would have been Bart's best pal DOL CRACKED.COM Someone told producers that Cruise wanted to guest, SO they wrote the part of Bart's amazing Bigger Brother Tom just for him. Cruise rejected the part, which was ably handled by do-it-all Phil Hartman. — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

16

Reservoir Dogs

QUENTIN TARANTINO gave a yes-and-no response CRACKED.COM Yes: Tarantino agreed to his likeness being used for an Itchy and Scratchy Reservoir Dogs takeoff. No: He wouldn't voice his cartoon likeness because he didn't want to say what have him saying. — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

15

ICARREY SI let work get in the way CRACKED.co Carrey agreed to provide the voice of a singing hobo who tells three tall tales. But the appearance was doomed by that arch-nemesis of producers everywhere: Scheduling conflicts. — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

14

PRINCE knew a guy with a script CRACKED.COM Writers planned a follow-up to the episode featuring Leon Kompowsky, famously voiced by Michael Jackson. Prince agreed to guest, but only if the show used a different script written by a personal pal. The producers passed. — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

13

James Earl Jones

JAMESEARLIONES was almost Sideshow Bob CRACKED.co Show runners originally wrote the role of Sideshow Bob for Jones. Though the famous voice guested several other times, he was unable to make the Bob commitment. That opened the door for what Kelsey Grammar calls his best role ever. — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

12

David Bowie

DAVID Bowle was recruited to be English CRACKED.COM British celebrities were needed for The Regina Monologues episode, but the Thin White Duke couldn't find time in his busy schedule. Luckily, Prime Minister Tony Blair had some open dates on his calendar. — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

11

RICHARDSIMMONS longed to be human CRACKED.COM Simmons was down for a guest spot until he learned producers wanted him to play a robot Richard Simmons. The scene was cut and the Sweatin' With the Oldies star never got to visit Springfield. — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

10

Don Rickles

DON RICKLES didn't want to be a mean guy CRACKED.co The script called for Homer to disrupt Rickles' comedy act, leading to a fight that ends up in court. Rickles, notorious for carving up his audience, hated the script because he wanted to be known as a sweetheart. — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

9

Producers struck out with MLB HALL OF FAMERS C the CRACKEDOW Homer at the Bat is enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. But some members of its all-star cast were fill-in players. Director Bonnie Pietila was turned down by all-timers Ryne Sandberg, Carlton Fisk, Nolan Ryan, and Rickey Henderson. — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

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8

O.J. SIMPSON was asked to guest before, well, YOU know CRACKED.COM Producers wanted The Juice for a guest spot on smartline, a part that ultimately went to Dr. Joyce Brothers. Given the subsequent Bronco chases, no one on The Simpsons staff regretted losing the cameo. — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

7

GEORGE TAKEI didn't want to insult legit transport CRACKED Conan O'Brien wrote Marge VS. the Monorail with Takei in mind for the grand marshal. (Leonard Nimoy nailed it as Takei's replacement.) Takei, a member of the San Francisco Transportation Board, didn't want to mock monorails. — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

6

Ex-Presidents

EXPRESIDENTS took a hard pass CRACKED.COM Not only did Ford, Carter, and Reagan not appear on the show, two of them ghosted the producers. Only Reagan had the courtesy to formally reject the cameo offer. — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

5

Bob Dylan

BOB DYLAN was a two-time nix CRACKED.COM The Voice of Protest turned down a chance to go electric at Homerpalooza. Undaunted, producers tried to cast him in The Mysterious Voyage of Homer episode. When he said no a second time, Johnny Cash got the gig. — Source: 15 Potential Simpsons Cameos That Didn’t Become Reality

4

There's no older cameo guest than TEDDY ROOSEVELT CRACKED.COM Roosevelt is brought to life by the magic of archival audio. With the help of Superintendent Chalmers, Bart soon has a new favorite president, albeit one that he imagines taking bites out of the skulls of his political opponents. — Source: 13 Non-Entertainers Who Got Animated on The Simpsons

3

STEPHENHAWKING asked the writers to keep him sober CRACKED.COM The physicist was up for a beer with Homer, but didn't want his animated self getting wasted. Everything else was fair game. One thing about him that is maybe not as well known, he had a tremendous sense of humor, says producer AI Jean. — Source: 13 Non-Entertainers Who Got Animated on The Simpsons

2

Mmm, delicious.

STANLEE is king of the cameos SPACE were and XHEN CRACKED.com Bart's attempt at a new comic book hero sets off Stan's stinky sense. The boy is crestfallen, but the Marvel icon encourages Bart to keep trying. If you fail, you can always open a comic book store. — Source: 13 Non-Entertainers Who Got Animated on The Simpsons

1

Homer sneaks into the skybox of RUPERT MURDOCH CRACKED.COM The Simpsons took plenty of shots at the media mogul over the years, but Murdoch remained a fan. He appeared as himself, kicking Homer and friends out of his Super Bowl skybox. But not before they stick their dirty mitts in Murdoch's onion dip. — Source: 13 Non-Entertainers Who Got Animated on The Simpsons

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