10 Underrated The Simpsons Guest Stars

Over 700+ episodes, 'The Simpsons' have called upon guest stars from all walks of life to lend their voice to an episode. More often than not, especially during the show's 'golden era', these guest appearances contributed to some of the best episodes in the show's history. Along with regular guest stars like Albert Brooks, Phil Hartman and Kelsey Grammer, people like Dustin Hoffman, Adam West, and several Major League Baseball players have enshrined themselves in the minds of many a Simpsons fan due to their incredible performances on the show.

However, when so many guest stars feature on a high-profile show over 30+ years, there are bound to be excellent performances that unintentionally slip through the cracks. From guests playing themselves, portraying original characters or even reprising characters from entirely different TV shows, the following list will provide ten of the Simpsons most underrated guest stars.

Mel Gibson-Himself-Beyond Blunderdome (S11E01)

It may feel a bit weird for an episode of The Simpsons to exist where all of the residents of Springfield (except for Homer) are in love with Mel Gibson, considering the negative headlines the man has made since this episode first aired in September 1999. However, despite what has happened since, Mel Gibson was an excellent Simpsons guest star when he was the focus of the Season 11 opener Beyond Blunderdome.

In this episode, the Simpsons watch a preview screening of Mel Gibson's latest movie, a remake of Mr Smith Goes To Washington. Everyone loves the film, except for Homer, who writes a negative review of the film, of which Mel takes notice. Taking Homer's opinion to heart, Mel invites him and the family to Hollywood to 'fix' the movie in a way that satisfies everyone, including Homer. However, it is fair to say that the pair's changes to the film are not to everyone's tastes.

Despite being one of the most prominent actors in Hollywood at the time of this episode's release, Mel Gibson isn't afraid to laugh and poke fun at both himself and his career in Beyond Blunderdome. The team-up of Mel Gibson and Homer Simpson makes for a series of hilarious scenes. As will be the case with other entries on this list, Gibson works as a great 'straight man' to Homer's personality. He has to endure all of Homer's ridiculous suggestions to change his movie because Mel truly believes that Homer is the only person willing to be honest with him about the quality of his films. Gibson is also game to send himself up by dressing as Mad Max, referencing Martin Riggs going crazy in Lethal Weapon, showing off his shallow side and allowing Homer to talk him into mooning a career featuring film executives. All this makes for a great episode, and Mel Gibson showing that he is willing to be funny and not just collect a fat paycheque makes for a memorable guest appearance.

Jack Lemmon-Frank Ormand-The Twisted World of Marge Simpsons (S8E11)

Now here is a guest appearance that managed to inspire the creation of a long-running Simpsons character. Jack Lemmon's guest appearance in the Season 8 episode 'The Twisted World of Marge Simpson' (where Marge starts a business selling pretzels) would later lead to the creation of perenially-downtrodden salesman Gil Gunderson, who would begin appearing in episodes starting from Season 9 onwards. However, it is Jack Lemmon's performance that makes this list.

In the episode, Lemmon plays Frank Ormand, the creator of Pretzel Wagon. Ormand convinces Marge to franchise his idea at a trade show, and Marge starts her own pretzel business. Even though Lemmon's only has a small role in 'The Twisted World Of Marge Simpson', appearing in a couple of scenes before dying in the episode's second act, the veteran actor makes his scenes memorable and funny.

For any fans of Some Like It Hot, The Apartment or Glengarry Glen Ross (the film that inspired the creation Gil), they will know of Jack Lemmon's talents in both comedy and drama. In 'The Twisted World Of Marge Simpson', Lemmon shows off his comedy chops while also playing an eminently likeable character. He gives the typically risk-averse Marge the confidence to start her own business by selling the idea of Pretzel Wagon to her in an endearing way. His instructional video on how to set up a pretzel business also makes for the episode's highlight. Now you know to check for millipedes in your ingredients bag and stage a phoney ticker-tape parade to avoid litter laws and spread flyers thanks to Lemmon's performance.

Jim Varney-Cooder-Bart Carny (S9E12)

Jim Varney is best known for playing two characters. He played Ernest P. Worrell in numerous commercials, a TV series and nine films between 1983 and 1998. He would also provide the voice of Slinky in the first two Toy Story films before his untimely death in the year 2000 at the age of 50. During the height of his fame, Jim Varney would also guest star on The Simpsons.

Appearing the Season 9 episode 'Bart Carny', Varney would play Cooder, the man who runs the ring toss stall at the local carnival with his son Spud. After Homer and Bart get employed as carnies and unfortunately lose Cooder and Spud's livelihood, the pair stay with the Simpsons. However, Cooder and Spud have ulterior motives for the Simpsons house once the family leave them alone in there.

In 'Bart Carny', Jim Varney delivers a performance that makes you understand how much of an effect his death had on so many people at the turn of the millennium. He imbues Cooder with his noticeable Kentucky twang, presenting the man as a likeable carny who Homer and Bart quickly befriend upon first meeting him. However, Varney's performance gives Cooder a deceptive nature that is at play throughout the episode. As well as running a rigged ring toss game, Cooder is willing to steal the Simpsons house the moment they leave it empty. In addition, Varney also shares good chemistry with Nancy Cartwright, as the pair make for a believable father and son as Cooder and Spud.

In the last TV appearance of his career, Jim Varney delivered a memorable performance on the biggest animated show around at the time.

Penny Marshall-Mrs Botz-Some Enchanted Evening (S1E13)

Even though the record doesn't say it, actor, director and producer Penny Marshall is technically The Simpsons' first-ever guest star. As many people may know, the first episode of The Simpsons was supposed to be 'Some Enchanted Evening, which would air sometime around August/September 1989 to begin a 22-episode Season 1. However, due to the level of animation producing in the original cut of the episode being so bad, Fox and James L. Brooks would push the first episode of The Simpsons back to Christmastime, with Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire famously opening a 13- episode Season 1. With much of the animation of 'Some Enchanted Evening' needing to be redrawn entirely and re-animated, the episode would instead close out the first season.

In 'Some Enchanted Evening', Penny Marshall portrays Mrs Botz. Mrs Botz, a criminal known as 'The Babysitter Bandit', is left in charge of Bart, Lisa and Maggie while an oblivious Homer and Marge go out to dinner. Even though Mrs Botz treats the kids poorly from minute one, it is only after finding out her true nature that the Simpsons kids team up to try and foil her plans to rob the family.

Known as the tough-talking tomboy Laverne on the hit 1970s sitcom Laverne and Shirley, Penny Marshall turns in an excellent villainous performance. From the moment you first hear the voice, Marshall presents Mrs Botz as a shifty customer, who in her own way, tries to appease the kids while setting up her robbery plans. Marshall, also known for directing 1988's Big, lends menace to the crude and evil design of Mrs Botz. She presents an intimidating force, a real threat that the kids have to overcome before Marge and Homer come home. Even though 'Some Enchanted Evening' is today remembered for its less-than-stellar animation even by the standards of Season 1, Penny Marshall's captivating performance as 'The Babysitter Bandit' makes for one of the most memorable guest appearances of the inaugural season.

Paul Winfield-Lucius Sweet-The Homer They Fall (S8E3)

For more modern audiences, Paul Winfield is not the most famous name to grace The Simpsons guest list. However, he was the type of actor who would turn up in just about anything during his 38-year career. A man who appeared in 44 feature films and 51 television shows, Winfield would find success, earning four Primetime Emmy nominations (winning one) and the Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in 1971's Sounder. In 1996, Paul Winfield would turn up on The Simpsons, playing a rather notable figure in popular culture.

In the Season 8 episode 'The Homer They Fall', Moe trains Homer to be the best boxer in Springfield, on a policy that Homer spends the whole getting hit before easily defeating his opponent. Once at the top, Moe's fo0rmer manager Lucius Sweet convinces him to put Homer into a match with heavyweight boxing champion Drederick Tatum.

In 'The Homer They Fall', Homer describes Lucius Sweet as "exactly as rich and as famous as Don King, and he looks just like him, too!". In the episode, Lucius Sweet is designed to look exactly like Don King, just as Drederick Tatum is stylized like Mike Tyson. The Simpsons producers did ask the real Don King to appear in the episode, only for the enigmatic promoter to refuse the offer. Instead, the writers would turn to Paul Winfield, who had recently played Don King in the 1995 television biopic Tyson.

Paul Winfield's portrayal of Lucius Sweet is excellent enough that some people thought Don King was playing the character. He plays Sweet with a suitable degree of charm and passion, tricking Moe into agreeing to a three-round fight that he knows that Homer is unlikely to win. Winfield even superbly delivers some Don King-style lines, including 'strategizing his glorious return to the shores of Fistiana'. Also, in true Don King fashion, he still pays Moe off despite not sticking to their pre-arranged agreement. Paul Winfield's performance gave me the primary impression of who Don King was and how he acted. A man who cares more about making money than anything else, it is easy to see how Lucius Sweet became a successful and famous as Don King, and we have Paul Winfield to thank for it.

David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson-Agents Mulder and Scully-The Springfield Files (S8E10)

In 1997, Fox would decide to send the main characters of their biggest scripted show into the world of their 2nd-biggest scripted show. On 12th January, Agents Mulder and Scully, the two main characters from The X-Files, would turn up at the Simpson's front door in The Simpsons second-ever crossover episode. However, compared to their previous crossover episode, 'A Star Is Burns', which saw The Simpsons crossover with The Critic, 'The Springfield Files' would see characters from a live-action series appear on an animated show. However, not only would Agents Mulder and Scully appear on The Simpsons, their respective actors David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson would reprise their roles in this crossover.

In 'The Springfield Files', a drunk Homer sees an alien while walking home on a Friday night. Hearing about the news, Mulder and Scully turn up in Springfield to investigate this paranormal incident and follow Homer's case.

With the premise of 'The Springfield Files' involving Mulder and Scully coming to Springfield, the episode makes a considerable effort to reference and poke fun at The X-Files, which they do successfully. Duchovny and Anderson are at the heart of this and play Mulder and Scully completely deadpan amid all the craziness. The Simpsons writers poke fun at their characters, their relationship and the world of The X-Files. The pair are given plenty of funny lines, which they deliver in this same style, from Mulder's ridiculous speech about the paranormal to Scully commenting on putting Homer on a treadmill so that he could lose weight. Even Scully's line, 'This is the worst case we've ever had', produces a big laugh, as even Mulder and Scully end up not believing Homer regarding the alien he saw.

In the past, The Simpsons have done well in producing humour from deadpan characters, from the Dragnet detectives in 'Mother Simpson' to Rex Banner in 'Homer vs the Eighteenth Amendment'. Mulder and Scully is another success in that regard. Just the idea of putting these characters into the wacky world of Springfield is an amusing concept. However, the execution of the production staff and Duchovny and Anderson to send up Mulder and Scully leads to one of the best episodes of Season 8, in this reviewer's personal opinion.

Fred Willard-Wally Kogen-Sunday Cruddy Sunday (S10E12)

Fred Willard was one of those actors who you could put into any situation, and he would make it funny. Put Fred Willard on an episode of The Simpsons, and you get a funny episode. Willard would appear in the Season 10 episode 'Sunday Cruddy Sunday', which aired after Super Bowl XXXIII on Fox. The plot sees Homer meet a travel agent named Wally Kogen, who can send a bus full of people to the Super Bowl. Homer, Wally, and many Springfield regulars travel to the Super Bowl, where numerous hijinks ensue.

In an episode featuring eight different guest stars (Dolly Parton, Troy Aikman, Rosey Grier, Dan Marino, Rupert Murdoch, Pat Summerall, John Madden), Fred Willard was the only guest to play an original character. Like everything Fred Willard did, he made the character funny and entertaining. Similar to Mel Gibson, Wally works well as a 'straight man' for Homer. While Homer is getting drunk on the bus, Wally has to keep everyone in check. Much of the humour in 'Sunday, Cruddy Sunday'comes from Dan Castellaneta and Fred Willard bouncing off one another, making Homer and Wally an entertaining pair. The odd couple dynamic between the two works to a T, with Wally having to smile in the face of Homer's slovenliness and obliviousness. Considering that Wally gets frequently knocked down throughout the episode, from getting conned at a mechanic to being given fake tickets to ending up in Super Bowl jail, Willard still gives Wally a positive and friendly attitude, even if the positive end is whittled down across the episode.

Even if 'Sunday, Cruddy Sunday' did show any of the Super Bowl, everything that happened made for an entertaining fare. Considering that Wall Kogen as a character is mainly a plot point to get Homer and his friends to the Super Bowl, you could have had anyone give a performance that moves the plot from A to B. However, Fred Willard's performance is such that he makes the journey to get to the Super Bowl enjoyable and everything that happens there wholly memorable. The performance of Willard anchors 'Sunday, Cruddy Sunday', making sure it isn't just a bunch of stuff that happened. As Warren Martin and Adrian Wood would later say in 'I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide', "A shame he doesn't join our regulars".

Sam Neill-Molloy-Homer The Vigilante (S5E11)

When people compile lists detailing The Simpsons all-time greatest guest stars, an actor you don't usually see up there is Sam Neill. Even though Neill will be forever known for his role as Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, some may forget that he appeared on The Simpsons. That would be a shame, considering that he appears in a classic episode like 'Homer The Vigilante'.

In Homer The Vigilante, Sam Neill plays Molloy, a resident of the Springfield Retirement Castle who briefly terrorises the town under the guise of the Cat Burglar. Stealing most of the Springfield residents' most valuable possessions, most notably Lisa's saxophone, Molloy strikes Homer into action as he forms a vigilante group to catch the Cat Burglar. However, despite Homer's efforts, Molloy continually outwits him until Grampa comes to save the day.

Sam Neill's performance in 'Homer The Vigilante' does not get the credit it deserves. While people remember the many quotable lines and the actions of Homer's vigilante group, they often take Sam Neill's performance for granted. Neill delivers such an understated performance that perfectly fits the character of an older man who spends his free time as a cat burglar. While Homer goes around causing damage and creating more crimes than he solves, Molloy creeps unseen. Even the quotes page for this episode on The Simpsons Wiki contains zero quotes from Molloy.

However, Neill delivers a calm, collected and unassuming delivery of his lines that contrasts well with Homer's hilariously boorish behaviour in this episode. While Homer is gloating over the capture of the cat burglar, stating, "It seems that the cat was caught by the very person who was trying to catch him", Neill delivers an amazingly subtle and sarcastic response, saying, "How ironic". In his particular way of speaking, Molloy makes the line funny, as he is trying to humour Homer in this situation. Another funny scene between the two comes when Molloy calls into Smartline. As Homer incorrectly guesses who is on the phone, Molloy manages to intimidate who into strangling a nearby camera operator. In this speech, Neill is almost savouring the words as he says them, enjoying every moment he has all of his stolen possessions.

If you decide to rewatch 'Homer The Vigilante' anytime soon, be sure to pay attention to Sam Neill's performance. It is one of the most underrated guest performances in the show's history.

Tito Puente-Himself-Who Shot Mr Burns (both parts)

Aside from the show's regular guest actors like Phil Hartman, Marcia Wallace or Albert Brooks, musician Tito Puente may be the only guest star in Simpsons history to appear in back-to-back episodes. To be fair, those two episodes were 'Who Shot Mr Burns?' Parts 1 and 2, meaning that Puente featured as part of a two-part self-contained story. People remember Tito Puente's role in these episodes just for the sheer randomness of his appearance. However, the performance given by the Puerto Rican drummer serves to make this appearance doubly memorable.

In 'Who Shot Mr Burns Part 1', Tito Puente is suggested by Lisa to be Springfield Elementary's new music teacher as a way of spending the school's potential oil money. As Lisa explains, Puente is 'ready to give up the drudgery of the professional mambo circuit and settle into a nice teaching job.'. However, due to Mr Burns taking the school's oil for his own gain, Puente does not get the chance to begin his teaching job. This perceived slight becomes his motive for wanting to shoot Mr Burns later on. When the police later track him down for his alibi, he convinces them of his innocence by performing a flaming mambo, the Emmy-nominated Senor Burns.

Despite being the show's sole guest star across the two-part episode, Tito Puente deosn't have that many lines. However, he certainly makes the most of what he is given. For a non-actor, Puente delivers his lines with passion. The Simpsons have a great hit rate for musicians guest-starring on the show, from Beatles George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Barry White and James Taylor. Tito Puente fits right in amongst his bunch. He does not phone in his lines, expressing his satisfaction to start a jazz programme at Springfield Elementary, saying, "Man, it will be my pleasure. Lisa has told me all your students are as bright and dedicated to jazz as she is." Later at the town meeting, Tito shows genuine anger and provides a motive for potentially shooting Mr Burns, stating, "He robbed the school of Tito". Even though he is still new in town, Tito Puente immediately and convincingly makes himself a suspect in the 'crime of the century'.

In 'Part 2', Puente solidifies his status as an excellent guest star by providing the Emmy-nominated classic and slanderous mambo 'Señor Burns'. Even though the episode's writers Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein and series composer Alf Clausen wrote the song lyrics, Tito Puente and his jazz ensemble performed the number in the studio, with one of his band members providing the vocals. If nothing else in this section convinces you, 'Señor Burns' alone guarantees Tito Puente's status as an excellent yet underrated Simpsons guest star.

Neil Gaiman-Himself-The Book Job (S23E6)

Now to finish with a guest star from the more recent series. Even though The Simpsons can still call upon the biggest names in popular culture, these more recent guest performances are not as remembered as those made during the 'golden era', primarily due to the show's overall decline in quality leading to fewer people remembering these roles. However, one guest star from these later years has stuck in my brain ever since I saw this episode. That star is author Neil Gaiman, who would appear in the Season 23 episode 'The Book Job'.

'The Book Job' sees The Simpsons parody Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's trilogy. With the show capturing the style, music and dialogue of these films, this episode is a hidden gem and, in this author's opinion, one of the best latter-day episodes of The Simpsons (post-Season 12). The episode's plot sees the unusual group of Homer, Bart, Moe, Patty, Professor Frink and Principal Skinner attempt to write a successful young-adult fantasy novel through group ghost-writing. They even enlist Neil Gaiman to help them out. However, once the publisher change their finished text without their knowledge, they plan a heist to get their original work published.

Even though the more high-profile guest star in 'The Book Job' is Andy Garcia (a star of the Ocean's trilogy) as the book publisher, Neil Gaiman manages to steal each scene he features in. Even though the heist team enlists Gaiman to join their crew, the acclaimed author is reduced to merely their servant. This servant role is one that Gaiman immediately turns his hand to, leading to some great lines and some of the funniest moments the show has had in a long time. Gaiman earnestly delivers his lines as if he is genuinely working hard to do his part for the team if it does involve getting their food. When he congratulates them on their success, and Moe points out that he didn't do anything, he delivers the line "Hey, that tuna didn't salad itself", maybe the best line of the episode.

In a time when more and more Simpsons guest stars play themselves and do nothing more than a quick cameo seemingly to earn their appearance fee, Gaiman effuses genuine excitement to be on the show. Portraying himself as an excitable yet loyal dogsbody to the ghost-writing crew, he sounds like he is genuinely having fun playing this simpering version of himself. When it is revealed that (spoiler) Gaiman had his own plan all along, with the group's finished book published under his name instead of Lisa's, the author finishes the episode with another self-deprecating line: "I heisted myself to the bestseller list once again. And the most brilliant part is I don't even know how to read." Only an excellent guest star would agree to this line and deliver it with aplomb, rounding off a terrific episode. 'The Book Job' is a brilliant latter-day Simpsons episode, and Neil Gaiman's guest role is a vital part of this satirical movie parody.