‘The Simpsons’ Milhouse star Pamela Hayden on why she’s leaving

Everything still comes down to Milhouse for Pamela Hayden. The actress, who has voiced Bart’s best friend on “The Simpsons” for 35 years, will retire after Sunday night’s episode of “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes.” But Hayden said she has no regrets saying goodbye to the long-running show.

“How many actors can say they have worked on a show for 35 years straight?” Hayden told me Variety. “That alone is amazing. But it was time for me to dedicate my time to other creative pursuits that I have, such as making films. It was a difficult decision, but I think it was the right one.”

Given the long lead time that animation takes from concept to broadcast, Hayden’s departure has been in the works for a while. Hayden, whose voices also included school bully Jimbo Jones, Rod Flanders, Chief Wiggum’s wife Sarah and Lisa’s friend Janey Powell, said “The Simpsons” was accommodating in preparing for her retirement, and that the producers even offered to give her a to say goodbye. party.

“It’s just unlike anything I’ve ever worked on,” says Hayden, who has also voiced characters in “Hey Arnold,” “Pinky and the Brain,” “The New Batman Adventures” and “Recess.” “It’s a one-time job in a one-time show. But as an actor I think you’re used to taking risks. That’s the kind of person I am. I’m not going to play it safe. And there were more things I wanted to do. I guess you throw it against the wall and see what sticks.

This includes Hayden’s documentary ‘Jailhouse to Milhouse’, which documents her harsh upbringing. The film has hit the festival circuit and she said she hoped it would “inspire people who have fallen through the cracks to still have hope. It’s about my life, and there were some really good years when I was younger. When I talk to at-risk girls, I say, “If I can do it, you can do it too.” Because that’s true. I am no different than them.”

In addition to “Jailhouse to Milhouse,” Hayden said she also co-wrote the book and lyrics for a musical she is developing. “I would like to bring that up, but honestly the way theater has been developing since COVID hasn’t been great,” she said. ‘I was unable to get the show to take place in New York. So we’ll see what happens.”

Even as she heads into retirement, Hayden expects to hear from fans, who regularly share their favorite Milhouse moments and quotes. In addition to “Everything’s coming up Milhouse,” Milhouse also quotes Prince: “This is what it feels like when pigeons cry.”

“Everyone has their own favorite,” she says. “What I loved about Milhouse is that even when he’s being made fun of, he always feels like tomorrow will be a better voice. Whether it is or not. And I love that. It’s a good analogy for life.”

Milhouse first appeared with Bart before “The Simpsons” even premiered, in a 1989 Butterfinger commercial. “Bart needed someone to talk to in the school cafeteria. We named him Milhouse because that was the most unfortunate name a child could have,” creator Matt Groening said in a statement. “Pamela gave us a lot of laughs with Milhouse, the unfortunate child with the biggest nose in Springfield. She made Milhouse hilarious and real, and we will miss her.

Added exec producer James L Brooks: “She has been a model for having a great spirit for every cast she has been a part of. We will miss her.” And showrunner/executive producer Matt Selman said: “Pamela’s talent and joy and love for her characters has added a magic to ‘The Simpsons’ that will never be forgotten. Everything is coming Pamela!”

As Milhouse, Hayden marveled at what she was asked to say over the years, such as singing the French national anthem as a six-year-old boy. And on a personal note, the “Simpsons” stars and producers traveled to Europe together to perform live shows in London and Edinburgh, and perform at comedy festivals in Aspen and Montreal. And then there were all those iconic stars she had the opportunity to challenge over the years, like Meryl Streep.

“When the Rolling Stones were around, I think Keith and Mick weren’t talking at the time, so we had to record them separately,” she recalls. ‘I think Keith had a drink in one hand and a cigarette. There really wasn’t anywhere for him to hold or put the script, because you only have two legs, right?

The producers of “The Simpsons” plan to audition a new actor to take on the other roles of Milhouse and Hayden. (“I know they won’t kill them off because it’s a comedy,” she said. “You don’t want to kill off a 10-year-old character!”) Her advice to those looking to audition? Make the characters their own, rather than imitating them.

“It’s a sticky wicket in the sense that I don’t think it’s ever good to just give an impression. It is a difficult task to put your stamp on a character but still make it sound like the character that has already been created,” she said. “You want them to bring their own gift to the party.”

As for what she’ll miss most about playing Milhouse, Hayden emphasized the relationships she built with her co-stars and the producers (most of whom have been there for decades) on “The Simpsons.”

“These are such finely drawn characters,” she said. “I will still have a special place in my heart for that blue-haired boy. No matter what happens. But the show goes on.”