The Simpsons burst from its incubator on The Tracey Ullman Show and invaded television airwaves solo on December 17, 1989. The show's signature onslaught of rapid-fire sight gags, pop-cultural spoofing, and biting social satire hasn't shown signs of slowing.

Since then, the impertinent, half-hour series has successfully satirized (and barbecued) nearly every sacred cow known to modern civilization.

It is now the longest running animated prime time series in TV history, breaking the record held by The Flintstones when its 167th episode aired on February 9, 1997. It also holds the record for the most guest stars in a television series. In January 2000, a star for the Simpson family was placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And, The Simpsons also has had several uncomfortable (but not unexpected) run-ins with the Catholic church.

Since the comedy's kickoff, actors Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, and Harry Shearer have regularly supplied the voices of the Simpson clan (Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie, and Grampa) and many of the offbeat residents of hometown Springfield. Recurring characters have been played by Marcia Wallace, Phil Hartman, Pamela Hayden, Maggie Roswell, Doris Grau, Frank Welker, Jo Ann Harris, and Russi Taylor, among others.

Following the success of The Simpsons' first season on the Fox network, celebrities first cautiously, then eagerly, agreed to be parodied on the show; oftentimes, they supplied their own voices for their cartoon counterparts. Now, more than a decade after the show's 1989 debut, more than 200 luminaries have joined in the keen lunacy of The Simpsons.

Many entertainers have lent their vocal talents, as well as leaders in science, industry, and sports, to the show. Groups such as The Who, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The B-52's, The Smashing Pumpkins, and The Ramones have performed self-poking cameos. Paul and Linda McCartney agreed to portray themselves (episode 133, October 1995), on the stipulation that Lisa Simpson would remain a vegetarian through the show's run. Amid much publicity, Elizabeth Taylor supplied the voice of baby Maggie when she uttered her first word (episode 69, December 1992); Whoopi Goldberg had wanted the role. Even the voices of Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt (season 10) and astronaut Neil Armstrong (season 4), thanks to archival recordings, are part of Springfield's infamous family tree.

Here's a sampling of the venerable voices that have guest-starred on Matt Groening's multi-award-winning brainchild:

Author: Vicki McClure Davidson

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