Only 2 Actors Have Voiced Themselves In Both The Simpsons Futurama ( They Have A Cool Connection)

By Daniel Bibby Published 3 minutes ago

Of all the guest stars in The Simpsons and Futurama, only two have played a version of themselves in both Matt Groening animated shows.

Summary

• The Simpsons and Futurama have many celebrity cameos, but only Leonard Nimoy and George Takei voice themselves in both shows.
• Nimoy and Takei's special achievement is unique, as other guest stars in both shows did not play themselves, only original characters.
• While Nimoy only played himself, Takei voiced four original characters in The Simpsons , expanding his role beyond his Star Trek background.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

The Simpsons and Futurama are both very fond of celebrity cameos, but the list of figures who have voiced themselves in both of these two Matt Groening animated shows is minimal. Famous guest stars tend to take one of two approaches when they make an appearance in a Groening property. The person in question will either voice an original character, or just bring a 2D version of themselves to life. However, only two famous figures have stepped into their own animated shoes in both The Simpsons and Futurama. The two actors also share a strong connection outside either show.

The Simpsons began in 1989 and has been on the air ever since. On the other hand, Futurama began a decade later than The Simpsons and has returned from being canceled more than once. The shows are vastly different in setting, but Matt Groening's signature sense of humor is easy to spot in both shows. Over the decades, The Simpsons voice actors and the Futurama cast have both been augmented with real-world figures from other areas of the industry, but only two of them share the same special plaudit.

Leonard Nimoy & George Takei Have Voiced Themselves In The Simpsons And Futurama

The duo also appeared together in all three seasons of Star Trek: The Original Series

Close

Both Leonard Nimoy and George Takei each have a connection to The Simpsons and Futurama. As well as both starring in the pair of Groening productions, they also lent their voices to the animated versions of themselves in both respects. This combination of criteria makes Nimoy and Takei the only two celebrity guest stars to earn this achievement. While there have been other stars who have appeared in both shows, they didn't play themselves in each setting, and instead voiced original characters.

For example, one of Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane's cameos resulting in him appeared in The Simpsons season 24, episode 22, "Dangers on a Train" as Ben. MacFarlane also had a single line as Fry's dog in Futurama season 7, episode 23, "Game of Tones." The reason that MacFarlane, along with other guest stars, doesn't fall into the same group as Nimoy and Takei is that he never played himself on either occasion, let alone both times.

The record held by Nimoy and Takei for their roles in The Simpsons and Futurama is interesting in its own right, but the link becomes quite meta when it's considered that both men appeared as part of the main Star Trek: The Original Series cast. The actors played Mr. Spock and Hikaru Sulu for all three seasons of the sci-fi classic as well as all six of the original Star Trek movies.

The differences between The Simpsons and Futurama means the cameo process is handled very differently. In The Simpsons, cameos are fairly traditional as far as animated shows are concerned. The actors record their lines and are assigned an avatar in their image. However, Futurama is set 1,000 years in the future, so most modern-day celebrities have perished since the present day. This quirk is circumvented by the show having the technology to preserve heads in a jar, and so this was the gateway to the story for both Nimoy and Takei.

Both Nimoy and Takei appeared in Futurama season 4, episode 11, "Where No Fan Has Gone Before." The episode is essentially one long reference to The Original Series and features most of its cast appearing and acquiring new bodies before returning to their lives as heads in jars.

The Simpsons Monorail Episode Robbed Takei Of Being The Sole Figure With This Acheivement

George Takei was originally asked to appear in this famous episode of The Simpsons

Leonard Nimoy appeared in The Simpsons season 4, episode 12, "Marge vs. the Monorail", as the guest of honor for the maiden voyage of Springfield's new public transport system. However, he wasn't the show's first choice for the role. Prior to asking Nimoy, the producers had reached out to none other than George Takei to play the part. Ultimately, Takei declined and was replaced by his Star Trek co-star.

Nimoy's cameo in "Marge vs. the Monorail" was made famous by a Star Trek gag that marked his exit. Once his work was done, he transported away from Springfield as Spock might do. However, Nimoy returned to The Simpsons one more time. Once more playing himself, Nimoy served as the narrator for The Simpsons season 8, episode 10, "The Springfield Files." The episode was a soft crossover with The X-Files, meaning the show once more solidified Nimoy's sci-fi roots.

George Takei Has Voiced 5 Separate Characters On The Simpsons (Including Himself)

Nimoy only ever played himself in Futurama and The Simpsons

Close

While Leonard Nimoy's history with The Simpsons is memorable, it's quite limited when compared to Takei's. As well as voicing himself, George Takei has given life to four additional original characters. Takei's Springfield personas also span an impressive period of time. His first appearance was as Akira in The Simpsons season 2, episode 11, "One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Bluefish."

Takei's most recent role came in The Simpsons season 27, episode 17, "The Burns Cage," where he appeared as himself. This is where Nimoy's Groening collaborations differ from Takei's, as Nimoy only ever played himself in both shows. So, while Takei's Futurama appearances were limited to playing himself, The Simpsons allowed the actor to explore new roles that didn't restrict him to his Star Trek background.

Futurama can be streamed now on Hulu, and The Simpsons is on Disney+

Cast Tress MacNeille , Julie Kavner , Harry Shearer , Pamela Hayden , Nancy Cartwright , Hank Azaria , Dan Castellaneta , Yeardley Smith Release Date December 17, 1989 Seasons 35