Pamela Hayden Retires as Milhouse Voice Actress from The Simpsons

Pamela Hayden, the voice actress known for her portrayal of Milhouse Van Houten on The Simpsons, has officially announced her retirement from the beloved animated series. Having lent her voice to the character since 1989, Hayden has been a key figure throughout the show’s impressive nearly 700 episodes.Now at 70 years old, Hayden expressed her emotions regarding the decision in a heartfelt statement: “The time has come for me to hang up my microphone.” She reflected on her experience, stating, “It’s been an honor and a joy to have worked on such a funny, witty, and groundbreaking show... I’ll always have a special place in my heart for that blue-haired 10-year-old boy with glasses.” Milhouse, who is Bart Simpson's loyal friend, has been a significant character on the show for over 35 years, endearing himself to fans with his shy demeanor, willingness to follow Bart into mischief, and constant struggles with bullies. Though Milhouse was Hayden's most renowned character, she has also voiced several others, including Ned Flanders' sons, school bully Jimbo Jones, Lisa's friend Janey, and Chief Wiggum's spouse, Sarah.In her farewell video, Hayden touched on the relatability of Milhouse, sharing, “One thing that I love about Milhouse is he’s always getting knocked down, but he keeps getting up.” She described her affection for the character as a metaphor for resilience in life. Matt Groening, the show's creator, acknowledged Hayden's significant contribution to the series, saying: “Pamela gave us tons of laughs with Milhouse, the hapless kid with the biggest nose in Springfield. She made Milhouse hilarious and real, and we will miss her.” Milhouse’s character is rumored to have been named after former U.S. President Richard Milhous Nixon. With Hayden’s departure, producers of The Simpsons plan to find a new voice for the character in the upcoming months.