Created by Matt Groening,The Simpsonsis one of the mostpopular animated showsof all time. Moreover,The Simpsonsis one of the longest-running television shows of all time with 36 seasons so far and a 37th season in production. The show has also had over 900 guest stars over its tenure. This includes legends like Patrick Stewart, Mark Hamill, Meryl Streep, and many, many more.
The Simpsons
Though many stars have been included as guests, a few prominent actors have refused to make appearances in the animated series. Whether this was due to time constraints or moral dilemmas, many episodes of the series have had to rely on impressionists to fulfill the original roles they had written for the celebrities.The Simpsonsisn’t a stranger to this though, and sometimes the impressionists make for more humorous episodes as a whole, but this doesn’t make the “what could’ve been” any less disappointing.
10Tom Cruise as “Tom”
Season 4, Episode 14 - “Brother from the Same Planet”
This is one of the most shocking turn-downs that the series has faced over its tenure. The role of “Tom” the “Bigger Brother” wasspecifically written forTom Cruise. In the episode, Bart and Homer are at odds. This distance between father and son encourages Bart to contact the “Bigger Brothers” program that matches kids with an older brother figure.
The guest appearance is one of the few that wouldn’t have been very parodical considering the nature of the show. In Springfield, everyone loves Tom, and he serves as a great for-hire brother for Bart. Despite the honorific nature of the role,Tom Cruise, who has never done a voice-over role, still rejected the offer.
9Jim Carrey as “The Singing Hobo”
Season 12, Episode 21 - “Simpsons Tall Tales”
Jim Carreyalmost made an appearance inThe Simpsons, but due tohis filming schedule, Carrey unfortunately had to decline the season 12 role. He was supposed to play the role of the singing hobo. Instead, Hank Azaria took up the role for him. Between filmingThe Majesticat the time and preparing for the release ofHow the Grinch Stole Christmas,Carrey was not able to commit to the role in the show.
In the episode, the Simpsons' airfare plan falls through on their way to Delaware. They end up taking a train car, where a singing hobo tells them tales over the course of their long journey. The episode is not considered canon thanks to its anthology format, but a Jim Carry appearance would definitely have made this a memorable episode.
15 Hilarious Easter Eggs on The Simpsons Hidden in Plain Sight
These Easter eggs hiding in plain sight on The Simpsons are real love letters to observant fans.
8Quentin Tarantino as Himself
Season 8, Episode 13 - “Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala (Annoyed Grunt) cious”
The infamous director,Quentin Tarantino,known for his stylized and violent aesthetic, declined to play himself in the Itchy and Scratchy segment of the show after finding issues with the script.
After the violence of the segment is shown, a parody impression of Quentin Tarantino comes out to clarify that the violence seen in The Itchy and Scratchy show is actually a commentary on the commonality of Western violence in the media. The faux Quentin Tarantino continues to go on his rant about symbolism until he is brutally massacred by Itchy and Scratchy.
7Anthony Hopkins as “Dr. Wolfe”
Season 4, Episode 17 - “Last Exit to Springfield”
Though it’s not stated anywhere why SirAnthony Hopkinsrejected taking up the role of Dr. Wolfe, the dentist role was offered to many A-List actors. Anthony Perkins agreed to play the rogue periodontist, but before recording he sadly passed away.The role was finally dutifully performed by Hank Azaria.
Though it was a brief appearance, Dr. Wolfe is still one of the most memorable characters in the show, which makes it particularly disappointing that Anthony Hopkins wasn’t able to do the role either. Though he personally hasn’t starred in the show, Hannibal Lecter has appeared multiple times throughout the run of the series.
6Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Themselves
Season 5, Episode 10 - “Springfield (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling)”
The three legendary actors were all supposed to star in the same episode ofThe Simpsons. In the episode, Bart starts up an illegal casino, and the three were supposed to be hanging out there, as well as a segment that takes place at Planet Hollywood. However,Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger were all too busy with projects to take up the role.
Instead, they had the almost equally famous Robert Goulet play himself in the episode. The episode still managed to be humorous, with Goulet playing a washed-up parody version of himself and his talents.
5Clint Eastwood as Himself and “Dr. Wolfe”
Season 4, Episode 17 - “Last Exit to Springfield” and More
Clint Eastwood, the acclaimedactor and director, rejected two roles offered byThe Simpsons. Dan Castellaneta plays Clint Eastwood in a musical and western hybrid segment. Clint Eastwood was also offered the role of Dr. Wolfe. Similarly to Anthony Hopkins, Eastwood also rejected the thought of playing the rogue dentist. However, Dan Castellaneta’s impression during theDirty Harryparody is almost as gratifying.
4O.J. Simpson as Himself
The formerly convicted and acquitted actor and football player was invited to play himself on the panel show,Smartline. Luckily, he refused for no known reason. Of course, this invitation was sent before he was convicted of murder.
Instead ofO.J. Simpsonfilling this role,the role was rewritten for celebrity psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers, who was a far less controversial choice. A parody of O.J. Simpson was included as a very brief cameo whereSouth Parkis on the TV that Bart is watching in another episode ofThe Simpsons, where he played, well, a murderer. In this episode, O.J. Simpson murders Steve Guttenberg, Calista Flockhart, and “Farty” the robot.
3Ronald Reagan as Himself
Season 4, Episode 22 - “Krusty Gets Kancelled” and More
Theformer actorand President of the United States,Ronald Reagan, refused to star in an episode ofThe Simpsonsalongside many other living presidents. His first appearance was supposed to be at Mr. Burns’s birthday party, where Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter were also invited to make appearances. They were also invited for roles in “Krusty Gets Kancelled,” where Bart and Lisa advocate for him to be put back on air.
Though the creators weren’t able to snag the presidents in their episode, “Krusty Gets Kancelled” still features Johnny Carson, Hugh Hefner, Bette Midler, Luke Perry, Elizabeth Taylor, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
2William Shatner as Himself
Season 6, Episode 18 - “A Star Is Burns” and More
William Shatnersaid no toThe Simpsonsbecause he wasn’t aware of what the show was about or its immense popularity at the time. However, he guest starred inFuturamaafter they had relayed the plot of the show to him. He was on board the moment they mentioned the sci-fi premise.
Though he rejected the idea of appearing inThe Simpsonsas a guest star, his role was played by Hank Azaria instead. The parody version of William Shatner spends most of his time auditioning and trying to foil Lisa’s plan of getting Krusty back on the air. The small misunderstanding resulted in zero cameos inThe Simpsons, but Shatner still got his redemption with his role as a living, preserved head in a jar inFuturama.
1George Takei as Himself
Season 4, Episode 12 - “Marge vs. the Monorail”
FellowStar Trekstar,George Takei, was also approached to appear inThe Simpsonsalongside William Shatner and said no to the invitation. However, Takei has actually guest-starred in the show multiple times. He only refused to do the “Marge vs. the Monorail” episode because he didn’t want to be involved in bashing public transportation. The creators tried to implement script changes, but it didn’t end up working out. Though he rejected this specific role, the polite act itself proves his own values and character, and it makes George Takei’s other appearances in the show more meaningful.
