5 The Simpsons Guest Stars You Never Knew Were There

The Simpsons is without doubt one of the most iconic TV creations ever, and we are not talking only about animated series right now. The show has been on air since 1989 and now is on its season 35, and we really wish it would never end.

The show covered so many different storylines it feels like there’s nothing that hasn't been said during the show’s run, yet the writers manage to keep the viewers’ attention by creating many more bizarre yet meaningful stories.

One of the things viewers love about the show is definitely the way it is connected to reality with the many pop culture references and celebrity cameos. But while some of those guest appearances were impossible to be left unnoticed, there were many guest stars you probably don’t even remember.

Here are just 5 of them.

1. Meryl Streep as Jessica Lovejoy

The actress was completely unrecognizable in season 6 episode 7, titled Bart’s Girlfriend. She voiced over a character named Jessica Lovejoy, Reverend’s preteen daughter who comes to town and meets Bart. The sparks fly between them, and Bart develops a huge crush on her. Only to realize later that she is evil of sorts…

Streep gives an amazing performance, making us equally believe in two personalities of Jessica: the sweet angel and the devil in a pretty skirt.

2. Mandy Patinkin as Hugh Parkfield

Another episode from season 6 hides a perfect unrecognizable performance forma big star. In episode 19, titled Lisa's Wedding, we see a version of a future, where Lisa finally finds her sweetheart and is ready to get married, despite saying so many times that she may be against traditional values.

In the year of 2010 she meets her love, Hugh Parkfield, a perfect guy who still never comes to accept Lisa’s eccentric family. Parkfield was voiced over by none other than Mandy Patinkin, but you wouldn’t even have guessed it, that’s how much of a chameleon he is.

3. Mark Hamill as Leavelle

While we had witnessed Mark Hamil as himself in an episode from season 10, titled Mayored to the Mob, there was also a time he appeared on The Simpsons and we let it go unnoticed. Hamil also gets to play the role of Leavelle, a professional bodyguard trainer who owns Leavelle's Bodyguard Academy.

The most memorable moment with the character is of course when he sings I Will Always Love You from all his heart for his students at their graduation party. Despite the fact that he poured his soul into the song, all the people left because of how bad it was.

4. Anne Hathaway as Jenny

The list of Bart’s crushes is rather long, but no one will ever forget Jenny, the girl who made him become a better person, even for a brief time. They first meet at school, and immediately Jenny assumes he is a sweet boy. But later, as the truth about Bart’s behavior is revealed (thanks to Milhouse as well), they break up.

Well, who knew that Jenny was played by Anne Hathaway? Even her hardcore fans wouldn’t ever recognize her in the role.

5. Benedict Cumberbatch as Quilloughby

In 2020, in episode 19 of season 32, the Sherlock star played the role of a Morrissey-like pop singer named Quilloughby, who became Lisa's icon. Everyone knows how picky Lisa is when it comes to music, so when a streaming platform offered her his music, she was hooked.

Now, when you hear that it's Benedict Cumberbatch, you might say something like, "Ohhh! How could I have missed that?" but at the moment there's nothing to indicate that it's him.