Who is Moe from The Simpsons?​

Moe Szyslak is a supporting character in the animated sitcom “The Simpsons,” where he is primarily known as the bartender and owner of Moe’s Tavern. Created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company, the show centers on the Simpson family – Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. They reside in the fictional town of Springfield in an unspecified U.S. state.

The series follows Homer, a nuclear plant employee who often disrupts family life through his actions. He lives with Marge, the patient, blue-haired mom; Bart, the mischievous eldest child; Lisa, the intelligent yet socially conscious middle child; and baby Maggie. The Simpsons’ daily lives are shaped by chaotic family dynamics and recurring interactions with the other Springfield inhabitants, such as Moe Szyslak, Ned Flanders, Dr. Hibbert, and Chief Wiggum.

Over the years, “The Simpsons” has won 187 awards, including more than thirty Primetime Emmy Awards and Annie Awards, and received 373 award nominations. It also holds the record for the longest-running American sitcom, animated series, and primetime animated series. Since its debut in 1989, the series has broadcast nearly 800 episodes and has also become Fox’s first series to rank in the Top 30 ratings.

Who is Moe from The Simpsons?

Moe the Bartender first appeared in the series premiere and has since then become a fixture of Springfield’s community. He evolved from a minor character used for comedic gags to a more complex figure. His bar serves as a recurring setting where Homer and the others gather. The spot is also the backdrop for several of Moe’s storylines, often centered around his business-related struggles and personal loneliness.

Despite being a constant presence in the show, his background remains deliberately ambiguous. His full name has been inconsistently presented; he has been referred to as “Morris” and “Moammar” in different episodes. The most complete version of his name has been deduced as “Moammar Morris Szyslak.” Similarly, his ethnic origins have also shifted across episodes, with references to Armenian, Dutch, Irish, and Italian heritage. In one case, Moe describes himself as “half-monster,” and in another instance, depicts his father as a Yeti.

The inconsistencies reinforce his role as a fluid and contradictory figure. The show has also explored Moe’s mental health struggles, portraying episodes of depression and failed romantic relationships. His recurring dynamic with Maya is particularly notable. Although elements of his personality have drawn criticism within the show’s narrative, he does remain one of the show's most multifaceted characters.

Who voices Moe from The Simpsons?

Emmy Award-winning actor and voice artist Hank Azaria voices Moe in “The Simpsons.” Aside from Moe, he has voiced numerous other characters in the show, including Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Police Chief Wiggum, Professor Frink, Dr. Nick Riviera, and Comic Book Guy. In an interview with The Howard Stern Show, Azaria mentioned that Moe’s voice originated from an impression of a young, gravelly Al Pacino, particularly inspired by Pacino’s role in “Dog Day Afternoon (1975).”He initially developed the voice while portraying a drug dealer in a Los Angeles stage production, and later adapted it during his audition for the show.

Azaria began mimicking television voices from an early age and initially didn’t recognize his ability as unique. Mel Blanc, the voice behind Bugs Bunny, later became one of his primary influences. In addition to his voice work on “The Simpsons,” Azaria has been a part of a wide range of television and film roles. His on-screen credits include “Quiz Show (1994),” “The Birdcage (1996),” “Ray Donovan (2014-2016),” and “Brockmire (2017-2020).” More recently, he voiced Perplexo in “The Electric State (2025)” and will portray Thomas Edison in the upcoming mystery series “The Artist.”