On Wednesday, the world was shocked to hear that someone from The Simpsons was retiring as a voice character after 35 years.
Pamela Hayden’s last episode as Milhouse, Jimbo Jones, Rod Flanders, Chief Wiggum’s wife Sarah, and Lisa’s friend Janey Powell airs today on Fox.
The big question is why she would give up such an amazing job; Variety spoke to her and found out why. “How many actors can say they’ve worked on a show for 35 years straight?” Hayden said. “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.”
One of her debut works as a filmmaker hit the film festival circuit this year. Jailhouse to Milhouse tells her story about her tough upbringing, but it didn’t let it stop her from becoming the voice of so many iconic characters. She is also working on a musical that she is hoping will make its way to Broadway.
Until then, don’t be afraid to approach her because she loves her fans.
Even though she has moved on, her characters will not. The Simpsons will start casting her replacement soon.
