The best minor Simpsons characters

We love The Simpsons

The Simpsons hometown of Springfield is a fantastic place with some interesting characters outside of Evergreen Terrace.

Author -  Liam Chadwick

As a blog, we have already examined and analysed our favourite episodes. We are now going to explore the the top minor characters. 

While the Simpson family and other core Springfield residents often steal the spotlight, the show has an unparalleled ability to bring its world to life through an extensive cast of minor characters. These figures often provide some of the series' funniest and most poignant moments.

Ralph Wiggum

Ralph is the lovable, oddball son of Chief Wiggum. His nonsensical one-liners and childlike misunderstandings have made him one of the most quoted characters on The Simpsons. Though his intelligence level is often the butt of jokes, Ralph’s charm lies in his innocence and unpredictability.

Hans Moleman

With his thick glasses, hunched posture, and perpetually unlucky demeanour, Hans Moleman is Springfield’s unassuming punching bag. Known for his brief but often hilarious appearances, Moleman embodies the absurd humour that The Simpsons excels at.

His misfortunes are so over-the-top that they become laugh-out-loud moments. From being set on fire to being hit by Homer’s car, his suffering is strangely endearing.

Professor Frink

Springfield’s resident scientist and inventor, Professor Frink, is a quintessential nerd stereotype taken to absurd extremes. His rapid-fire technobabble and eccentric inventions make him a standout character whenever he appears.

Frink’s over-the-top mannerisms, complete with his trademark “glavin!” exclamation, provide a unique brand of comedy. We wonder if he is a distant relative of the professor from Futurama. That would be a fun crossover.

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Reverend Lovejoy

Timothy Lovejoy is a truly fascinating minor character. As the minister of Springfield's First Church of Springfield, his role is to be a spiritual guide for the town. However, Lovejoy's increasingly disillusioned and apathetic attitude towards religion often turns him into a comic figure. Despite his jaded outlook, Lovejoy is seen as an integral part of Springfield’s diverse tapestry. The video below actually shows he still has some passion left.

Disco Stu

Disco Stu is Springfield’s unapologetic throwback to the disco era. With his sequined jumpsuit, platform shoes, and endless enthusiasm for all things disco, Stu is the ultimate one-joke character done right. His commitment to his disco persona, despite being decades past its prime, is endlessly amusing. These brief appearances in the show often come with sharp one-liners or visual gags that stick in viewers’ minds.

Why do these minor characters remain so important?

The genius of The Simpsons lies not just in its writing or satire but in its ability to populate Springfield with characters who feel as real and fleshed out as the main cast. They add depth and variety to the show’s storytelling. Their brief appearances often serve as comic relief or provide fresh perspectives on the absurdity of life in Springfield.