Simpsons star Pamela Hayden reveals the real reason she quit after 35 years of voicing the character Milhouse

Pamela Hayden, who has played the character Milhouse on The Simpsons since 1989, says it wasn’t an easy decision for her to leave the cast of the animated series, but she feels it’s time to explore more other projects.

“It was time for me to devote my time to other creative pursuits that I have, like filmmaking,” the 70-year-old Windham, Maine native told Variety Sunday. “It was a tough decision, but I feel like it was the right one.”

Hayden spoke as his final episode voicing Milhouse, Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes, was set to air.

Hayden told the publication: “How many actors can say they’ve worked on a show for 35 years straight? That alone is incredible.

Hayden – who sang on 695 episodes of the series, as well as in several video games and the 2007 film – said the show’s producers supported her decision to leave and volunteered to arrange a party.

Other characters she has played on the series include Jimbo Jones, Rod Flanders, Sarah Wiggum and Janey Powell.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime job for a once-in-a-lifetime show,” Hayden told the outlet. “But as an actor, I think you’re pretty used to taking risks. That’s the kind of person I am.

“I don’t want to play it safe. And there were other things I wanted to do. I think we should throw it against the wall and see what sticks.

Hayden said she will miss the relationships she has had with her colleagues for over three decades, including fellow cast members, as well as producers, the most.

“It’s unlike anything I’ve ever worked on,” Hayden said. “They are such finely drawn characters.”

She said of Milhouse’s character: “I will always have a special place in my heart for that blue-haired boy. At any rate. But the show will go on.

She added: “What I liked about Milhouse is that even if he gets beaten up, he always feels like tomorrow will be a better day.” Whether it is or not. And I think it’s great. It’s a good analogy for life.

She added of Milhouse: “I know they won’t kill them because it’s a comedy. You don’t want to kill off a 10 year old character!’

When asked what his Milhouse successor should do in the role, Hayden said it was “a difficult task to put your stamp on a character, but to still make it feel like the character that has already been created …you want them to bring their own gift to the party.

Milhouse’s character was first seen in a Butterfinger commercial in 1989, ahead of the series’ premiere as a standalone series on Fox later that year.

“Bart needed to talk to someone in the school cafeteria,” series creator Matt Groening told the outlet in a statement. “We named him Milhouse because it was the most unfortunate name a child could have.

“Pamela made us laugh a lot with Milhouse, the unfortunate kid with the biggest nose in Springfield. She made Milhouse hilarious and real, and we will miss her.

Producer James L Brooks called Hayden “a role model for having a good spirit in every cast she’s been a part of”, adding: “She will be missed.”

Matt Selman, showrunner and executive producer of the series, told the outlet: “Pamela’s talent, joy and love for her characters added a magic to The Simpsons that will never be forgotten.” It’s all coming, Pamela!’