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After more than three decades of mystery, The Simpsons creator Matt Groening has finally revealed which iconic character he based on himself, and no, it’s not Bart.
While accepting the Honorary Cristal Award at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Groening opened up about the personal connections embedded within the show’s central family. He confirmed that Homer, Marge, Lisa, Maggie, and even Grandpa Abe were all named after his own real-life relatives.
But when it comes to the character that reflects him personally? Groening confessed: “I’ll let you into a little secret… Je suis Milhouse.”
Yes, it turns out the nerdy, awkward, perpetually unlucky best friend of Bart Simpson is the true on-screen avatar of the legendary cartoonist. The revelation sparked laughter and applause from the crowd, many of whom were stunned to learn that the often-overlooked Milhouse, not the rebellious Bart, is Groening’s spiritual stand-in.
“I think we all see ourselves in him a little,” Groening added with a grin. “He’s well-meaning, loyal, a little anxious, and always just trying to keep up.”
Groening also reflected on the show’s unprecedented longevity, The Simpsons just wrapped its 36th season, with a staggering 790 episodes under its belt. He credited the show’s lasting success to the creative freedom it allows.
“We don’t think about being responsible,” he said. “Our main motivation is to surprise ourselves. If we surprise ourselves, then we think we can surprise the audience.”
The milestone comes as the series continues to push boundaries and entertain new generations of fans. Despite changes in the animation landscape and growing competition in the streaming age, The Simpsons remains one of the most influential and culturally significant shows on television.
