Former ‘Simpsons’ Star Explains Reason for Leaving Hit Show

Former Simpsons star Pamela Hayden, who voiced Milhouse Van Houten and a handful of other characters on the animated sitcom for 35 years, spoke to Variety about the “tough decision” to leave the show.

Hayden’s last appearance as Milhouse was on the Nov. 24 episode “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes.” Though she agonized over the choice to retire from the role, Hayden is at peace with her decision.

“How many actors can say they’ve worked on a show for 35 years straight?” she marveled. “That alone is amazing. But it was time for me to devote my time to other creative endeavors that I have, like filmmaking. It was a tough decision, but I feel like it was the right one.” Hayden added that the show’s producers have been entirely supportive of her decision, even offering to throw her a farewell party.

Milhouse was hardly the only Springfield resident Hayden embodied over the years. She also lent her voice to fearsome bully Jimbo Jones, naive Rod Flanders, Chief Wiggum’s wife Sarah, and Lisa’s friend Janey Powell. Hayden has also held voice roles on Recess, Hey Arnold!, and Pinky and the Brain. But Hayden said is “just not like anything I’ve ever worked on. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime job on a once-in-a-lifetime show.”

Still, Hayden is ready to tackle the next chapter of her career. “Being an actor, I think you’re kind of used to taking risks. That’s the kind of person I am. I’m not about playing things safe. And there were other things I wanted to do. I think you throw it against the wall and see what sticks.”

Hayden’s immediate next project is her documentary Jailhouse to Milhouse, which tells the story of her harrowing childhood and her entrée into Hollywood. Hayden hopes the film will “inspire people who have fallen through the cracks to still have hope. It’s about my life, and there were a few really hanky years there when I was younger. When I speak to at-risk girls, I say, ‘If I can do it, you can do it.’ Because that’s true. I’m no different than them.”

You can check out the trailer for Jailhouse to Milhouse below.