# In the simpsons, which characters are based on actors outside the simpsons
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [December 2, 2014, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102 "2014-12-02T04:41:51Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/1 "2014-12-02T04:41:51Z")
I saw Dan Castellaneta claim Homer was partly based on Mr Magoo, which I didn’t know but I could see.
I always assumed Gil was based on Jack Lemmon’s characters in Glengarry Glenross. So that wasn’t surprising when he verified that in the same interview.
Professor Frink seems based on Jerry Lewis
McBain is Schwarzenegger obviously, Drederick Tatum is Mike Tyson
Are other characters based on other actors or characters outside the simpsons?
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/2 "2014-12-02T05:27:25Z")
Mexican comedian Chesperito (Roberto Gomez Bolanos) was the inspiration for Bumblebee Man. He did a children’s show where he played the character of the [Crimson Grasshopper](https://d4rk9.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/el-chapulin-colorado.jpg?w=584). Bolanos died this week at the age of 85.
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/3 "2014-12-02T05:31:21Z")
Fat Tony, so far as I know, is Tony Soprano.
ETA, nevermind, he showed up in 1991.
However, one of his underlings is modeled after Joe Pesci.
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### Author:  [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/4 "2014-12-02T06:09:48Z")
Itchy & Scratchy = Tom & Jerry
According to Wikipedia [Krusty the Clown](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krusty_the_Clown) is based off an entertainer from Matt Groening’s youth:
> [@](#):
>
> Krusty was created by cartoonist Matt Groening and partially inspired by Rusty Nails, a television clown from Groening’s hometown of Portland, Oregon. He was designed to look like Homer Simpson with clown make-up, with the original idea being that Bart worships a television clown who looks like his own father. His voice is based on Bob Bell, who portrayed WGN-TV’s Bozo the Clown. Krusty made his television debut on January 15, 1989 in the Tracey Ullman Show short “The Krusty the Clown Show”
although I had always suspected he was at least partially based off of [Danny Kaye](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Kaye).
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### Author:  [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/5 "2014-12-02T06:36:57Z")
Apparently genial supervillain Hank Scorpio is at least partially based on [Richard Branson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Branson).
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### Author:  [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/6 "2014-12-02T07:01:26Z")
> [@Don\_Draper](#):
>
> Itchy & Scratchy = Tom & Jerry
> According to Wikipedia [Krusty the Clown](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krusty_the_Clown) is based off an entertainer from Matt Groening’s youth:
>
> although I had always suspected he was at least partially based off of [Danny Kaye](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Kaye).
I don’t see that. Krusty is more closely modelled after about a dozen old-school Borscht Belt comics. Thus, it was perfect casting to have his father voiced by Jackie Mason.
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### Author:  [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/7 "2014-12-02T07:25:28Z")
Jerry Lewis specifically in the Nutty Professor.
Not an actor, but Dr. Nick is based on Gábor Csupó and Elvis’ quack [Dr. Nick](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_C._Nichopoulos), except he is Greek instead of Hispanic.
Chief Wiggum’s _voice_ is based on Edward G. Robinson.
Minor characters: Rex Banner is Eliot Ness via the actors who played him. Booberella is Elvira and/or Vampira. The Yes Guy/That Jerk That Goes Ye-e-e-es is Frank Nelson.
Adam West and James Woods are of course the actors playing possibly insane versions of themselves. No typo, they were on the Simpsons first, just less insane than FG.
> [@Joey\_P](#):
>
> However, one of his underlings is modeled after Joe Pesci.[
Louie]([Louie (mafia) | Simpsons Wiki | Fandom](http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Louie_%28mafia%29)).
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### Author:  [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/8 "2014-12-02T07:49:59Z")
According to Wikipedia, Moe Szyslak is based mostly on Louis “Red” Deutsch, with small helpings of Rich Hall and a gorilla.
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### Author:  [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/9 "2014-12-02T09:38:23Z")
Dr. Hibbert is based on Bill Cosby’s Cliff Huxtable character.
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### Author:  [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/10 "2014-12-02T11:07:35Z")
Mayor Quimby = JFK
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### Author:  [@chancetx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chancetx)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/11 "2014-12-02T11:23:49Z")
Isn’t Krusty the Clown also supposed to be inspired by David Letterman? Is that just an urban legend?
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### Author:  [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/12 "2014-12-02T12:26:00Z")
Was Troy McClure based on anyone in particular?
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### Author:  [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/13 "2014-12-02T12:30:52Z")
It was in the new recently that actor Frank Sivero, who played gangsters in Godfather II and Goodfellas, is suing the Simpsons for $250 million because their gangster character “Louie” (One of Fat Tony’s henchmen) is based on the characters he played, mostly Frankie Carbone from Goodfellas. If you see Carbone side by side with Louie, it looks pretty close
> **['Goodfellas' Actor Suing Over 'Simpsons' Mob Character](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/goodfellas-actor-files-250-million-lawsuit-over-simpsons-mafia-character-204312/)**
>
> Frank Sivero’s suit alleges that ‘Simpsons’ character Louie’s “appearance and mannerisms are strongly evocative” of the actor
> **[‘Goodfellas’ Actor Suing Fox for $250 Million Over ‘Simpsons’ Mob Character](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/goodfellas-actor-suing-fox-250-742709/)**
>
> Frank Sivero says the character of “Louie” is him
I never heard that Homer was based on Mr. Magoo, and can’t see it at all. In the early days, Dan Castallenata clearly was basing Homer’s voice on Walter Matthau, though.
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### Author:  [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/14 "2014-12-02T12:35:49Z")
> [@Cinnamon\_Imp](#):
>
> Mayor Quimby = JFK
Kind of combination of Ted and John Kennedy, isn’t he?
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### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/15 "2014-12-02T13:48:00Z")
His appearance may be far off, but clearly Sideshow Bob is based on Frazier – and not just because Kelsey Grammar voices him. In his original introduction, he was shown to be very much like the character.
His brother is definitely based on Niles; it was referred to when he was introduced. Again, this wasn’t just the fact that David Hyde Pierce did the character.
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### Author:  [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/16 "2014-12-02T14:01:14Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#):
>
> Apparently genial supervillain Hank Scorpio is at least partially based on [Richard Branson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Branson).
There was also the one-shot character [Arthur Fortune](http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Arthur_Fortune), owner of the Fortune Megastore chain.
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### Author:  [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/17 "2014-12-02T14:05:23Z")
> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> Was Troy McClure based on anyone in particular?
Doug McClure and Troy Donahue. You might remember them from such films as The Land That Time Forgot, Humanoids from the Deep, Nudity Required, American Rampage, and Dial N for Nurder (not really).
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### Author:  [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/18 "2014-12-02T14:07:04Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#):
>
> Apparently genial supervillain Hank Scorpio is at least partially based on [Richard Branson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Branson).
I don’t really see that. He was just a Bond supervillain. Branson was parodied (barely, they essentially portrayed him as himself though he didn’t do the voice) in an episode where Mr. Burns is infuriated to see a billionaire that isn’t evil, but nice, and tries (unsuccessfully) to change his own image.
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### Author:  [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/19 "2014-12-02T15:02:31Z")
Principal Skinner’s relationship with his mother was modeled on Norman Bates in _Psycho_.
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### Author:  [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102/20 "2014-12-02T15:09:53Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#):
>
> Fat Tony, so far as I know, is Tony Soprano.
> ETA, nevermind, he showed up in 1991.
> However, one of his underlings is modeled after Joe Pesci.
I always saw Fat Tony as a stereotypical generic “Italian Mob” character.
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