Bart Simpson's Skateboard

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Lore & Background

Bart's identity was shaped during his creation in James L. Brooks's office lobby when Matt Groening needed new characters for The Tracey Ullman Show. Despite popular belief, Groening has stated that Bart's name is not an anagram of "brat"; rather, it was simply a name he liked. His middle initial "J" honors Bullwinkle J. Moose and Rocket J. Squirrel from The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. Initially envisioned as a milder, troubled youth with existential angst by Groening, the character evolved significantly due to Nancy Cartwright's voice acting. Her portrayal transformed him into the mischievous prankster known for his chalkboard gags and defiance of Principal Skinner. This evolution helped spark "Bartmania" during the show's first two seasons, where his rebellious persona resonated with audiences, leading to massive merchandise sales despite criticism from parents and educators.

In Their Own Story

On April 19, 1987, Bart Simpson made his television debut in the short "Good Night," marking the beginning of a journey that would see him become one of Time magazine's most important people of the 20th century by 1998. In "I Married Marge" (season three, 1991), his birth was placed in the early 1980s, though later episodes like "Simpsorama" (season 26, 2014) and "Bart's Birthday" (season 36, 2024) offered conflicting timelines regarding his exact birthday. In the latter, a hypothetical finale showed him celebrating his eleventh birthday to his dismay. Throughout the series, Bart has held various part-time jobs, including working as a bartender at Fat Tony's social club in "Bart the Murderer" (season three, 1991), serving as Krusty the Clown's assistant in "Bart Gets Famous" (season five, 1994), and briefly owning a factory in "Homer's Enemy" (season eight, 1997). His hobbies include skateboarding, reading Radioactive Man comics, and watching The Itchy & Scratchy Show. In "That 90's Show," the timeline was contradicted to show Homer and Marge were childless in the early 1990s.

Reader's Guide

To understand Bart Simpson, one must recognize his unique design history and voice origins. His hair was originally drawn with spikes of varying lengths but standardized to nine equal spikes because animators simply traced Groening's rough sketches. Director Mark Kirkland described his head as a basic rectangular shape resembling a coffee can. In the episode "Treehouse of Horror VI" (season seven, 1995), Bart became the first character rendered in three dimensions by Pacific Data Images; animators purchased a vinyl doll to model his hair since they didn't know how to depict it digitally. The voice behind this character is Nancy Cartwright, who auditioned for Lisa but switched to Bart after finding Lisa less appealing. Yeardley Smith originally tried out for Bart but was deemed too high-pitched. This casting decision led to Cartwright winning a Primetime Emmy Award in 1992 and an Annie Award in 1995 for her performance.

Did You Know?

• Despite a common myth, Matt Groening has confirmed that Bart's name is not an anagram of 'brat'.
• Nancy Cartwright originally auditioned for the role of Lisa, while Yeardley Smith auditioned for Bart.
• Bart's middle initial 'J' honors Bullwinkle J. Moose and Rocket J. Squirrel from The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.
• Contrary to some reports, the animators did not use a vinyl Bart doll to model his hair for the 3D segment in 'Treehouse of Horror VI'.
• Bart is absent as a main character in the episode 'The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase' (Season 8, Episode 24).

The Genesis of a Brat

Matt Groening conceived Bart and the rest of the Simpson family in 1987 while waiting in the lobby of producer James L. Brooks's office to pitch animated shorts for The Tracey Ullman Show. Initially planning to adapt his comic strip Life in Hell, Groening realized he would have to relinquish publication rights and instead sketched a new dysfunctional family. He named most characters after his relatives but chose "Bart" for the rebellious son because it is an anagram of "brat," feeling "Matt" wouldn't work in a pitch meeting. The middle initial "J" pays homage to Jay Ward's Bullwinkle J. Moose and Rocket J. Squirrel. Groening originally envisioned Bart as a milder, troubled youth with existential angst, but Nancy Cartwright's voice acting transformed him into the mischievous icon we know today.

The Cultural Phenomenon of Bartmania

Bart's protagonist status during the first two seasons sparked "Bartmania," a cultural fever driven by his rebellious persona and pride in underachieving. This led to extensive merchandise sales, though parents and educators criticized him as a negative influence on children. By the third season, Homer became the show's figurehead as the focus shifted to the family, yet Bart remained a breakout character. His impact was recognized globally when Time named him one of the most important people of the 20th century in 1998 and Entertainment Weekly named him Entertainer of the Year in 1990. In 2000, Bart and the Simpson family received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the most iconic television characters of the 1990s.

The Voice Behind the Prankster

The voice of Bart Simpson is provided by Nancy Cartwright, who also voices Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum, Todd Flanders, and Kearney Zzyzwicz. During auditions, Yeardley Smith tried out for Bart but was told her voice sounded too high-pitched for a boy; she was subsequently cast as Lisa. Cartwright initially auditioned for Lisa on March 13, 1987, but found the character less appealing and opted to try out for Bart instead, feeling it suited her better. Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 1992 and an Annie Award in 1995. Cartwright also contributed to the character's development by choosing his full middle name "Jo-Jo" during a recording session, a detail confirmed by Matt Groening.

A Decade of Mischief and Milestones

Bart Simpson lives in Springfield's Lower East Side with his parents Homer and Marge, and sisters Lisa and Maggie. He is always ten years old due to the show's floating timeline, though specific episodes like "I Married Marge" (1991) place his birth in the early 1980s. In "Bart's Birthday" (2024), a hypothetical finale shows him dismayed at turning eleven. His hobbies include skateboarding, reading Radioactive Man comics, and watching The Krusty the Clown Show. He has held various jobs, from bartender at Fat Tony's club to factory owner in "Homer's Enemy." Bart has appeared in every episode except "Four Great Women and a Manicure" and features extensively in video games, the 2007 film, The Simpsons Ride, and comic books.