41 Of The Greatest Minor "Simpsons" Characters Of All Time, Ranked

    Even one-episode characters have made a real stamp on the history of this show.

    Jemima Skelley
    by Jemima Skelley

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    The Simpsons has been on the air for over 30 years, so it's had quite some time to build up an iconic roster of characters. Even some who were only on the show for one episode have been cemented in Simpsons lore, and are just as beloved as recurring characters. Without further ado, here's our ranked list of the most memorable and legendary minor Simpsons characters.

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    41. Linguo

    Lisa sits on the couch, holding a robot with a magnet hand a keypad on his chest
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    Lisa's grammatically-correct robot really didn't have much to do with the plot, but he ended up being a pretty memorable little guy. 

    Best line: “Linguo IS dead."

    40. Sherri and Terri

    Sherri and Terri, identical twins, have a matching facial expression and matching purple outfits
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    Everyone knows a person who is obsessed with purple and makes it their whole personality. In Springfield, that's Sherri and Terri. 

    Best line(s): "Don't make Lisa mad!" "She might crush us all with her giant butt!"

    39. Shary Bobbins

    Shary Bobbins stands in the Simpsons' living room, she's wearing a broad brimmed black hat, a suit and a purple bow tie
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    Mary Poppins can handle any problem children... but Shary Bobbins is no match for Bart and the rest of the Simpsons. 

    Best line: "I'm an original creation, just like Rickey Rouse or Monald Muck."

    38. Mr. Bergstrom

    In a school classroom, a man in a cowboy outfit has his foot up on a desk, playing the guitar, Lisa is in front of him with a large hat on
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    Lisa's substitute teacher was only in one episode, but boy did he make an impact. His presence was a rare touching moment in the show, as he validated Lisa and her intellect.

    Best line: "Feel free to make fun of my name if you want. Two suggestions are Mr. Nerdstrom and Mr. Boogerstrom.”

    37. Bumblebee Man

    A TV showing a man dressed in a bumble bee outfit, playing with a giant yoyo
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    We don't know much about Bumblebee Man, other than the fact that he's a slapstick comedian who's also a furry. What an icon. 

    Best line: "Ay, ay, ay! No me gusta!"

    36. Disco Stu

    Disco Stu sits on a couch, he has a curly brown afro, a open shirt, a pink and white jacket and sunglasses
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    He's perpetually stuck in the '70s, which kinda made sense in the early seasons — but in newer episodes, there's no way he was alive in that decade. Still a legend, still the character we'd most like to party with. 

    Best line: "Disco Stu slides in front of you... hey that rhymed!"

    35. Kearney

    Kearney stands in a school hallway, laughing at Principal Skinner who has 'kick me' written on his back
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    Of all the bullies in Jimbo's crew, Kearney has to be our favorite. We have no idea how old he actually is, but we do know that he has a kid. 

    Best line: “Fixing the church should be our top priority! I say this as a teenager, and the parent of a teenager.”

    34. Homer Simpson from Police Cops

    A man stands in front of a police car, he's wearing a white suit and has a grey scarf on
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    He may have only been in a couple of scenes, but he did give us the Max Power version of Homer, which we must acknowledge.

    Best line: “And that's the end of that chapter.”

    33. Duffman

    Duffman, a giant muscly man in a superhero outfit, stands with his hands on his hips - he has a belt with beer cans strapped to it
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    Any character who enters every room to the tune of "Oh Yeah" is a winner in our books. 

    Best line: "Duffman... can't breathe! OH no!"

    32. Lunch Lady Doris

    Lunch Lady Doris is stirring a giant pot on a stove, Groundskeeper Willie is standing at the door
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    Doris the Lunchlady has spent decades serving the kids of Springfield Elementary things like beef hearts, horse testicles, and shredded newspaper. And let's not forget the time she used gym mats as a meat replacement during budget cuts. 

    Best line: "I can only give you Chewable Prozac for Kids in the shape of cartoon characters. I've got Manic Depressive Mouse, or the Bluebird of Unhappiness."

    31. Artie Ziff

    The Simpsons family stands around Artie Ziff, a nerdy looking guy who is sitting on their couch
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    A mega-rich tech tycoon, and Marge's high school prom date, Artie has his eyes set on winning Marge back — but never quite succeeds. 

    Best line: [singing along to 'Sweet Dreams'] "Yeah, I traveled the world and the seven seas... I am watching you through a camera."

    30. Squeaky-voiced teen

    A young looking guy with pimples and a work uniform hat stands in front of a pink wall
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    Without the squeaky-voiced teen, there'd be no one to man the registers at Krusty Burger, Lard Lad Donuts, the shoe store, the Bowlarama, and the Aztec Theater. 

    Best line: “Sir, it’s a felony to tease the order box.”

    29. Snake Jailbird

    Snake, wearing a denim vest, is being put into handcuffs by Police Chief Wiggum
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    No one in the history of our planet has been arrested and broken out of jail so many times in their lives — delivering iconic one-liners in the process.

    Best line: [As Homer buys his car at an auction] "She needs premium, dude! PREMIUM!... DUDE!"

    28. Poochie

    A TV showing a cartoon dog, wearing a backwards cap and sunglasses, holding a skateboard
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    Homer has had many, many jobs, but being a voice on Itchy & Scratchy may be the most memorable. Poochie has extreme "Hey, fellow kids" energy, a character who was designed to keep young kids watching the show. 

    Best line: "Catch you on the flip side, dudemeisters! NOT!”

    27. Kang & Kodos

    Two giant green aliens with glass domes over their heads stand in front of the Simpson family
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    This alien duo frequently touches down in Springfield to check out how things are going down here on planet Earth. Yes, they mostly only show up in Treehouse of Horror episodes, so nothing they do actually has an impact on the show... but they're still top-tier characters in our hearts. 

    Best line: "It makes no difference which one of us you vote for. Either way, your planet is doomed. Doomed!"

    26. Rainier Wolfcastle

    Ranier Wolfcastle, a large man wearing a suit and sunglasses, sits in a crowd smoking a cigar
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    Springfield's resident celebrity, Rainier Wolfcastle started as a thinly-veiled Arnold Schwarzenegger parody, before he developed into a pretty well-rounded character. 

    Best line: "My eyes! The goggles do nothing!"

    25. Mona Simpson

    A young woman wearing a beret stands in a room, there's a 'peace' poster hanging on the wall behind her
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    Every time Mona popped up in an episode, you know it's going to be one that pulls at your heartstrings. And then she died before her and Homer ever really got to spend much time together :'( :'(.

    Best line: "Remember, whatever happens, you have a mother, and she's truly proud of you."

    24. Üter Zörker

    A fat boy with blonde hair runs through a change room in his underwear, looking scared
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    Poor Üter, the German exchange student who definitely isn't dead but possibly could be. Though he was turned into cafeteria food in a Treehouse of Horror episode, canonically he's still alive — despite the running joke of characters wondering where he is. 

    Best line: "Don't make me run! I'm full of chocolate!"

    23. Professor Frink

    Professor Frink stands in a crowd, holding up a calculator that reads 80085, or 'boobs'
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    Frink has come up with some seriously good inventions over the years: hamburger earmuffs, the flying motorcycle, the 8-month after pill, and let's not forget the house that can sprout legs and run away from danger. Homer should have been idolizing Frink, not Thomas Edison. 

    Best line: "To me, 'nerd' stands for Not Even Remotely Dorky. So thank you. Thank you for the compliment."

    22. Lyle Lanley

    Lyle Lanley, in a red jacket and a red bow tie, stands in front of a black board that reads 'mono = one, rail = rail'
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    I'm not sure if Lyle himself is the iconic one, or if he's just always associated with the Monorail song that we all know at least a few lines of. Either way, Lyle and his straw hat are cemented in Simpsons history. 

    Best line: "You know, a town with money’s a little like the mule with a spinning wheel. No one knows how he got it, and danged if he knows how to use it!”

    21. Kent Brockman

    Kent Brockman sits in a Tv studio holding a piece of paper, with a sign reading 'my two cents' behind him
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    He may be extremely out of touch, but Kent Brockman is the voice of Springfield. If a real-life journalist acted the way he did, we'd hate him, but we just gotta love Kent. 

    Best line: "I, for one, welcome our new ant overlords."

    20. Fat Tony

    Fat Tony sits at a restaurant table, holding a martini and looking sinister
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    Fat Tony technically died in Season 22, but was replaced by his identical cousin, allowing the underworld of Springfield to continue thriving. Also RIP to Tony's late wife, who was, of course, whacked of natural causes. 

    Best quote: "I don't get it. Everyone loves rats, but they don't wanna drink the rats' milk?"

    19. Dr. Nick Riviera

    Doctor Nick smiles and waves from a medical room, where Homer is unconscious and there's a half-eaten pizza behind him
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    If I needed surgery in Springfield, I definitely wouldn't want Dr. Nick in the operating theatre. But he is great for some on-screen comedy. 

    Best line: "Inflammable means flammable? What a country!"


    18. Groundskeeper Willie

    Groundskeeper Willie holds a bagpipe and stands in front of a flaming incinerator
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    Willie is kinda like the Hagrid of Springfield Elementary. We really don't see much about him outside of work, but we do know that he is incredibly jacked. 

    Best line: "There’s nary an animal alive that can outrun a greased Scotsman."

    17. Kirk Van Houten

    Kirk Van Houten looks angry, gesturing at a giant notepad on an easel with a blue scribble on it
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    Some people think that "Yvan Eht Nioj" is the best-ever Simpsons song, but I think you'll find it's actually Kirk's "Can I Borrow A Feeling".

    Best line: [During a game of Pictionary] "It's dignity! Gah! Don't you even know dignity when you see it?"

    16. Lurleen Lumpkin

    Lurleen Lumpkin, with a blonde beehive hairdo, stands on stage singing and playing guitar
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    Lurleen brought us hits like "Finally Bagged Me A Homer" and "Your Wife Don't Understand You". Dolly Parton who?????

    Best line: “I used to play the field, I used to be a roamer / But the season's turning 'round for me now / I finally bagged me a Homer!”

    15. Superintendent Chalmers

    Superintendant Chalmers sits at a table, a platter of burgers and fries in front of him, he's taking a bite
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    Ah, Supernintendo Chalmers. Though he usually shows up just to yell at Skinner, his involvement in one of the most iconic scenes of all time (steamed hams) cements his spot on this list. 

    Best line: “Aurora Borealis? At this time of year, at this time of day, in this part of the country, localized ENTIRELY within your kitchen..?"

    14. Troy McClure

    Troy McClure stands in a TV set version of the Simpsons' lounge room
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    Troy McClure hasn't appeared in an episode since Season 10 (along with Phil Hartman's other character, Lionel Hutz) but he really made an impression as our favorite TV show host slash shiller of questionable products.  

    Best quote: "Hello. I'm actor Troy McClure. You kids might remember me from such educational films as 'Lead Paint: Delicious But Deadly' and 'Here Comes The Metric System'."

    13. Rich Texan

    Rich Texan, a man in a polo shirt and tall white hat, holds two guns, one of which is smoking
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    Did you know that his real name is actually Richard Texan? He's a classic rich billionaire — among his ludicrous purchases are a stained glass bathrobe and the world’s fattest racehorse.

    Best quote: "Homer, I want you to have my lucky hat. I wore it the day Kennedy was shot and it always brings me good luck."

    12. Gil Gunderson

    Gil stands in a shabby suit and undone tie, holding a red blazer in a dry cleaning bag
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    Poor Ol' Gil. There's probably no one as unlucky as him (except perhaps Frank Grimes), but there's something about him that's just so endearing. 

    Best line: "Ah, they stole the balloon! I've been living in there! [hot plate falls from the balloon] Oh, lord, my hot plate! I only had two payments left!"

    11. Cletus Spuckler

    Cletus, wearing a white singlet, stands outside arm in arm with his redhead wife Darlene
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    The slack-jawed yokel who seemingly has 44 kids, including Condoleezza Marie, Rubella Scabies, and Gummy Sue, Cletus certainly brings the comedic edge to any scene that he's in.

    Best quote: "We home-school 'em. I teach the big ones and the big ones teach the little ones. But no one ever taught me, which makes the whole thing just an exercise in futility."

    10. Sideshow Bob

    Sideshow Bob, with a giant red spiky afro, stands in a doorway wearing a suit and an American flag draped around him
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    For someone who's always trying to kill one of the show's main characters, Sideshow Bob is surprisingly beloved. Perhaps it's his show tune skills. 

    Best line: “That's German... for 'The Bart, The.'”

    9. Lionel Hutz

    Lionel Hutz sits in a desk chair, a bookshelf behind him, and he's holding a near-empty bottle of whiskey
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    Though we haven't seen him on screen in the last 20 seasons, he definitely made a memorable mark in Springfield as a slimy, ambulance-chasing lawyer who was strangely endearing. 

    Best line: "He's had it in for me ever since I kinda ran over his dog. Well, replace the word 'kinda' with the word 'repeatedly,' and the word 'dog' with 'son.'"

    8. Jessica Lovejoy

    Jessica Lovejoy stands at the front of a church, reading from a large book, with light shining on her from above
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    Bart has had a lot of love interests over the years, but no one is quite as iconic as Jessica — and that's not just because she was voiced by Meryl Streep. She still pops up in background shots but we only got that one episode where she was involved in the plot.

    Best line: "I'm the sweet, perfect minister's daughter... and you're just yellow trash."


    7. Hans Moleman

    Hans Moleman stands in front of a house, and he's on fire
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    Though he's been in a lot of great scenes and episodes, nothing can beat the 10-second brilliance that is "Man Getting Hit by Football." 

    Best line: “No one's gay for Moleman.”

    6. Otto Mann

    Otto sits in the drivers' seat of a bus, holding a cigarette, headphones on his ears
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    As every other character in the show progressed over the last three decades to owning iPhones and Nintendo Switches, Otto still carries around his cassette player and '80s earphones. Something tells me he's gonna be cool again in 5 years. 

    Best quote: "I'll have you know I'm also a hair donor. Salma Hayek wore me to the Oscars."

    5. Frank Grimes

    Frank Grimes stands in front of Homer, jabbing him in the chest with one finger and looking angry
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    Frank Grimes, or Grimey, as he liked to be called, is up there with Hank Scorpio in terms of iconic-ness relative to screen time. He's one of the first people to call Homer out on his nonsense... and paid the price. 

    Best line: “What's this? 'Extremely high voltage.' Well, I don't need safety gloves, because I'm Homer Simp-!”

    4. Milhouse Van Houten

    Milhouse stands in his room, there's flooding up to his ankles, he's wearing short cut-off pants
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    He's loyal and dedicated to a fault, but good old Thrillho is always there to deliver the best lines and balance out Bart's chaotic energy. 

    Best Line: "My feet are soaked but my cuffs are bone-dry! Everything's coming up Milhouse!"

    3. Edna Krabappel

    Edna Krabappel is leaning sleepily on a chalkboard
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    Of all the characters who have died or been retired over the years, Edna is by far the one we miss the most. From her time sleeping with Skinner and living in dodgy motels to becoming Ned Flanders' wife... we all love her and we miss her. 

    Best line: [while watching a sex-ed video with her class] "She's faking." 

    2. Freddy Quimby

    A waiter in a suit stands at attention, while Freddy sits at a table making a face and a funny hand gesture
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    Mayor Quimby's spoiled brat of a nephew was central to one of The Simpsons' most iconic early episodes, one that you can quote and everyone would instantly recognize. 

    Best line: “It's chowder, say it right!”

    1. Hank Scorpio

    Hank Scorpio, with a red beard and hair, stands in a doorway looking excited
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    Where do we start with Hank Scorpio? The legendary, charismatic supervillain has to be the most beloved single-episode character in Simpsons' history. Even though he destroyed the Queensboro Bridge with a giant laser. 

    Best line: “On your way out, if you wanna kill somebody, it would help me a lot.”