Kirk Douglas’s Unforgettable Stint on The Simpsons

Kirk Douglas, a giant of classic Hollywood, left his mark on the silver screen with roles in films like Spartacus and Paths of Glory. But his reputation for being a tough character off-screen was just as well-known. Douglas was famous for clashing with fellow actors, even coming close to a punch-up with John Wayne. By the 1990s, when he was invited to lend his voice to The Simpsons, he hadn’t softened much with age.

For many stars, popping up on The Simpsons was a bit of a badge of honour. The show had already featured the likes of Leonard Nimoy, Albert Brooks, Glenn Close, Frank Weller, Sam McMurray, and Mark Hamill. But Nancy Cartwright, who’s been the voice of Bart Simpson for nearly forty years, shared in her memoir that getting Douglas to take the gig seriously was no easy feat. The recording process for the show is pretty technical and needs a fair bit of focus, but Douglas had his limo idling outside, determined to stick to his rule:

“I’m only going to give you two takes.”

Recording Woes and Stubborn Habits

Things got trickier when Douglas flat-out refused to wear headphones in the booth. That meant director Josh Weinstein couldn’t talk to him directly, so Cartwright had to step in and guide the three-time Oscar nominee herself. Douglas kept tripping over the line “I changed all that,” instead saying, “I charged all that.” The crew were worried he’d blow his stack if they pointed out the mistake, but Cartwright managed to get around his two-take rule by faking a massive sneeze, causing a break in the session. After the interruption, she was able to go over the lines with him and finally get the right take.

Despite his reluctance and the headaches he caused, Douglas’s performance ended up being a memorable part of the show’s history. In the episode ‘The Day The Violence Died’, Bart tracks down Chester J Lampwick (voiced by Douglas), the original creator of The Itchy and Scratchy Show, after learning he never got credit for his work. The story spirals into a legal mess involving Roger Meyers Sr, played by Alex Rocco, and nearly sees The Itchy and Scratchy Show axed when the network goes bust. The episode pokes fun at the fiery personalities in the entertainment industry and the ongoing battle for creative rights.

Guest Stars and Lasting Impact

What set ‘The Day the Violence Died’ apart from other episodes was how it used its guest talent. Instead of just having celebrities play themselves in over-the-top cameos, the show cast Douglas and Rocco in original roles, giving them a chance to bring something new to the table. Douglas might not have been all that fussed about the job, but he became part of the golden era of one of telly’s most iconic animated series.