About
"The Simpsons was brilliant writing, it was hilarious, and from the get-go unbelievably well-received. You knew you were part of something amazing right from the beginning."
In his one-hour-and-forty-five-minute interview, Hank Azaria talks about his early life and his decision to pursue a career in acting, which led to his first job, in an Italian gum commercial. He describes going on several auditions in both New York and Los Angeles, which led to him being cast as "Moe Szyslak" on The Simpsons. He recounts his many years on The Simpsons, working with Sam Simon and James L. Brooks, and voicing such characters as "Apu Nahasapeemapetilon," "Jeff Albertson a.k.a. The Comic Book Guy," "Snake," "Lou the Cop," "Professor Frink," and others. Azaria discusses the cultural impact of The Simpsons and the legacy of the show. He outlines working with Jack Lemmon in the made-for-television movie Tuesdays with Morrie, and details the experience of working with Lemmon and what he learned from him. He talks about other projects, including the documentary series Fatherhood, his guest-starring role on Friends, and playing "Craig Huffstodt" in the Showtime series Huff. He concludes by discussing career highlights and regrets, and talking about how he'd like to be remembered. Jenni Matz conducted the interview on April 6, 2015 in New York, NY.
Highlights
Hank Azaria on playing "Moe Szyslak" on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Apu Nahasapeemapetilon" on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Mitch Albom" in Tuesdays with Morrie, co-starring Jack Lemmon
Hank Azaria on guest-starring on Friends
Hank Azaria on advice to an aspiring actor
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on television he watched growing up; on moving to New York to pursue acting
On his first professional acting job in an Italian gum commercial; on moving to Los Angeles and getting an agent; on going on various auditions
On being cast as "Moe Szyslak" on The Simpsons; on what attracted him to The Simpsons and the state of FOX when it was launched; on working with James L. Brooks on The Simpsons
On playing "Moe Szyslak" on The Simpsons; on playing "Apu Nahasapeemapetilon" on The Simpsons; on playing "Jeff Albertson a.k.a. The Comic Book Guy", "Snake", "Lou the Cop", "Kirk Van Houten", and "Professor Frink" on the show
On playing "Dr. Nick Riviera" and "Disco Stu" on The Simpsons and improving lines on the show; on characters he wishes he could have done on The Simpsons and his favorite character; on the production on an episode of The Simpsons; on the cultural impact of the show
On censorship issues on The Simpsons; on winning Emmy Awards for his work on The Simpsons
Chapter 2
On the guest stars of The Simpsons; on keeping The Simpsons fresh for himself; on the cast's contract negotiations; on the legacy of The Simpsons
On guest-starring on Friends; on starring as "Craig Huffstodt" on the series Huff; on playing "Mitch Albom" in Tuesdays with Morrie, co-starring Jack Lemmon
On producing and directing the documentary series Fatherhood; on his mentors; on advice to an aspiring actor
On his proudest career achievement and his career regrets; on dream roles or projects; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Hank Azaria on winning Emmy awards for his work in The Simpsons
Friends
Hank Azaria on guest-starring on Friends
Huff
Hank Azaria on starring as "Craig Huffstodt" on the series Huff
Simpsons, The
Hank Azaria on being cast as "Moe Szyslak" and other characters on The Simpsons and working with Sam Simon on developing the voices
Hank Azaria on what attracted him to The Simpsons and the state of FOX when it was launched
Hank Azaria on working with James L. Brooks on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Moe Szyslak" on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Apu Nahasapeemapetilon" on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Jeff Albertson a.k.a. The Comic Book Guy," "Snake," and "Lou the Cop" on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Kirk Van Houten" and "Professor Frink," who was based on Jerry Lewis, on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Dr. Nick Riviera" and "Disco Stu" on The Simpsons and improving lines on the show
Hank Azaria on characters he wishes he could have done on The Simpsons and his favorite character
Hank Azaria on the production on an episode of The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on censorship issues on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on winning Emmy awards for his work in The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Frank Grimes" on The Simpsons episode "Homer's Enemy" and other favorite episodes of his
Hank Azaria on the cultural impact of The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on the guest stars of The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on keeping The Simpsons fresh for himself; on the cast's contract negotiations
Hank Azaria on the legacy of The Simpsons
Topics
Advice
Hank Azaria on advice to an aspiring actor
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Hank Azaria on censorship issues on The Simpsons
Characters & Catchphrases
Hank Azaria on being cast as "Moe Szyslak" and other characters on The Simpsons and working with Sam Simon on developing the voices
Hank Azaria on playing "Moe Szyslak" on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Apu Nahasapeemapetilon" on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Jeff Albertson a.k.a. The Comic Book Guy," "Snake," and "Lou the Cop" on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Kirk Van Houten" and "Professor Frink," who was based on Jerry Lewis, on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Dr. Nick Riviera" and "Disco Stu" on The Simpsons and improving lines on the show
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Hank Azaria on his mentors
Emmy Awards
Hank Azaria on winning Emmy awards for his work in The Simpsons
Pivotal Career Moments
Hank Azaria on his mentors
Pop Culture
Hank Azaria on being cast as "Moe Szyslak" and other characters on The Simpsons and working with Sam Simon on developing the voices
Hank Azaria on playing "Moe Szyslak" on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Apu Nahasapeemapetilon" on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Jeff Albertson a.k.a. The Comic Book Guy," "Snake," and "Lou the Cop" on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Kirk Van Houten" and "Professor Frink," who was based on Jerry Lewis, on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing "Dr. Nick Riviera" and "Disco Stu" on The Simpsons and improving lines on the show
Television Industry
Hank Azaria on censorship issues on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on advice to an aspiring actor
Professions
Actor
Hank Azaria on advice to an aspiring actor
Performers
Hank Azaria on advice to an aspiring actor
Genres
Animation
Hank Azaria on playing various characters on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing various characters on The Simpsons (Part 2)
Comedy Series
Hank Azaria on playing various characters on The Simpsons
Hank Azaria on playing various characters on The Simpsons (Part 2)
Commercials
Hank Azaria on his first professional acting job in an Italian gum commercial
News and Documentary
Hank Azaria on producing and directing the documentary series Fatherhood
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Hank Azaria on playing "Mitch Albom" in Tuesdays with Morrie co-starring Jack Lemmon
People
James L. Brooks
Hank Azaria on working with James L. Brooks on The Simpsons
Jack Lemmon
Hank Azaria on playing "Mitch Albom" in Tuesdays with Morrie co-starring Jack Lemmon
Sam Simon
Hank Azaria on being cast as "Moe Szyslak" and other characters on The Simpsons and working with Sam Simon on developing the voices