Yeardley Smith

Actress
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

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About
About this interview

In her almost three-and-a-half-hour interview, Yeardley Smith describes her childhood in Washington, DC and her early interest in theater. She talks about performing at regional theaters in DC before moving to New York and making her Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard’s “The Real Thing” directed by Mike Nichols. Smith then touches on various television appearances she made before landing the role of “Lisa Simpson” on the original incarnation of The Simpsons: bumpers before commercials of The Tracey Ullman Show. She shares stories of The Simpsons’ transition to a half-hour show, working with her castmates, notable guest stars, and her relationship with “Lisa Simpson.” Smith talks about other memorable projects she's appeared in, including Herman’s Head, “The Legend of Billie Jean,” and “City Slickers," and other career pursuits including launching a shoe line, writing a young adult novel, and writing and performing a one-woman show. She concludes by sharing her greatest career achievements, advice for aspiring actors, and how she would like to be remembered. Jenni Matz conducted the interview on November 21, 2016 in North Hollywood, CA.

In addition, Jenni Matz conducted a one-hour remote TheirStory conversation with Yeardley Smith on April 20, 2021. Smith shares how she adjusted to life during the COVID-19 pandemic, discusses hosting her podcast, Small Town Dicks, and talks about her YouTube cooking/game show, Oil & Water. She also explains how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted production on The Simpsons, speaks of how politicians continue to bring "Lisa Simpson" into politics, contemplates how many seasons The Simpsons may run, talks of being an ally and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and comments on what she's most looking forward to when the pandemic ends. 

“I have an affinity for risk…It’s not that I’m fearless. I just have an overabundance of courage.”

People Talking About ...
Yeardley Smith
Highlights
Yeardley Smith on her Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard's "The Real Thing" directed by Mike Nichols
Yeardley Smith on her early determination to find success as an actress, and feeling that she had a "gift"
Yeardley Smith on her relationship to "Lisa Simpson": "she's a magical little character"
Yeardley Smith on Dustin Hoffman guest starring on The Simpsons on the episode "Lisa's Substitute"
Yeardley Smith on the cultural impact of The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on the origins of the name "Yeardley" (her full name is Martha Maria Yeardley Smith), and living with her unusual name
Full Interview

Chapter 1
On her childhood and early influences; on her distinctive voice; on her early interest in performing
On TV and movies she watched growing up; on her "affinity for risk" and her stage fright; on her determination to find success as an actress, and feeling she had a "gift"
On what she has learned from theater; on acting in Washington, DC after graduating from high school; on her Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard's "The Real Thing"; on her first TV appearances
On the differences between television/film and theater; on her early television appearances; on "The Legend of Billie Jean"; on her drive to succeed early in her career, and her focus on the future

Chapter 2
On auditioning for "Lisa Simpson"; on the original incarnation of The Simpsons: bumpers before commercials of The Tracey Ullman Show; on her relationship to "Lisa Simpson"
On how "Lisa Simpson" has evolved over time; on The Simpsons spinning off from The Tracey Ullman Show; on the instant success of The Simpsons and the backlash to the show
On her relationship to fame and celebrity; on her relationship with her castmates on The Simpsons; on times she has spoken up on behalf of "Lisa Simpson" to the writers; on Paul and Linda McCartney's guest appearance on the show
On the voice she uses for "Lisa Simpson"; on the show's production schedule; on working with her castmates on The Simpsons and recording the show; on guests stars on The Simpsons

Chapter 3
On censorship issues (or lack thereof) on The Simpsons; on the longevity of The Simpsons; on fans of The Simpsons; on a suggestion she made for an episode about microfinance
On winning an Emmy in 1992 and her feelings about awards; on the opportunities The Simpsons has afforded her; on where she see the show going in the future; on the cultural impact of the series
On her feelings about "Lisa Simpson" and the best part about playing her; on "Lisa" being the heart and soul of The Simpsons; on the legacy of The Simpsons
On Herman's Head; on wanting to get more on-camera roles; on publishing her novel, "I, Lorelei," and writing a one-woman show
On feeling most at home in the theater; on ageism and superficiality in Hollywood; on advice for young people and her proudest professional achievement; on what else she'd like to accomplish
On where she sees herself in ten years; on how she would like to be remembered

Chapter 4
On recording from her home studio in Los Angeles during the COVID-19 pandemic; on how she's been during the pandemic and on creating work-life balance while being home all of the time
On hosting her podcast, Small Town Dicks; on her interest in true crime; on Detective Dan (her fiance) and Detective Dave and the cases discussed on the podcast; on her podcast series within a series, Behind the Badge, and addressing police reform in the wake of the murder of George Floyd
On her YouTube cooking/game show, Oil & Water; on food combinations that work and ones that don't
On production on The Simpsons during the COVID-19 pandemic; on The Simpsons "predictions" that have come true; on Senator Ted Cruz's remarks about Democrats being the party of "Lisa Simpson"; on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo posting a meme of "Lisa Simpson"; on politicians pulling "Lisa Simpson" into politics and The Simpsons staying relevant
On being an LGBTQ+ ally and advocate; on the possibility of "Lisa Simpson" being polyamorous or introducing LGBTQ+ characters on The Simpsons; on the 700th episode of The Simpsons occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic and moderating panels of The Simpsons cast and creators; on being approached to do a podcast about The Simpsons
On how long she thinks The Simpsons will run for -- possibly 1000 episodes; on how "Lisa Simpson" and her family would fare during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether the Simpsons would have survived quarantine together
On what she's most looking forward to when the pandemic ends; on how much she respects Detectives Dan and Dave, how much she enjoys doing her podcast, Small Town Dicks, and whether or not she would do a television show of Small Town Dicks
Shows

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

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Yeardley Smith on winning an Emmy in 1992 for playing "Lisa Simpson" on The Simpsons

Herman's Head

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Yeardley Smith on Herman's Head

Mama's Family

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Yeardley Smith on appearing on episodes of Mama's Family

Simpsons, The

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Yeardley Smith on her voice, auditioning for "Lisa Simpson," and why she doesn't do other characters on The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on how she got the audition for "Lisa Simpson" (when The Simpsons was a feature on The Tracey Ullman Show)
Yeardley Smith on her audition for "Lisa Simpson" and how she originally was brought in to read for "Bart Simpson"
Yeardley Smith on the original incarnation of The Simpsons, which were bumpers before commercials of The Tracey Ullman Show
Yeardley Smith on her relationship to "Lisa Simpson": "she's a magical little character"
Yeardley Smith on how "Lisa Simpson" has evolved over time
Yeardley Smith on The Simpsons spinning off from The Tracey Ullman Show, and its immediate success
Yeardley Smith on the criticism of The Simpsons when it debuted
Yeardley Smith on her relationship with her castmates on The Simpsons and how she feels about salary negotiations
Yeardley Smith on times she has spoken up on behalf of "Lisa Simpson" to The Simpsons writers when she disagreed with them
Yeardley Smith on Paul and Linda McCartney's guest appearance on The Simpsons, and how they made the writers promise that "Lisa" would remain a vegetarian for the rest of the series
Yeardley Smith on the voice she uses for "Lisa Simpson" and performing the character
Yeardley Smith on The Simpsons' production schedule
Yeardley Smith on working with her castmates on The Simpsons and recording the show
Yeardley Smith on Michael Jackson guest starring on The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on guest stars on The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on Dustin Hoffman guest starring on The Simpsons on the episode "Lisa's Substitute"
Yeardley Smith on censorship issues (or the lack thereof) on The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on the worldwide popularity of The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on the longevity of The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on The Simpsons impact on other animated and comedy series
Yeardley Smith on "the Simpson" family as a family role model
Yeardley Smith on how The Simpsons has changed since it started as part of The Tracey Ullman Show
Yeardley Smith on fans of The Simpsons, and people who now write on the show who grew up watching it
Yeardley Smith on her feelings about the quality of The Simpsons, as it has been on for so long and how the show continues to stay relevant
Yeardley Smith on a suggestion she made for an episode of The Simpsons, which was about microfinance
Yeardley Smith on winning an Emmy in 1992 for playing "Lisa Simpson" on The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on where she sees The Simpsons going in the future
Yeardley Smith on how much longer she would want to do The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on the cultural impact of The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on her feelings about "Lisa Simpson" and the best part about playing her
Yeardley Smith on "Lisa Simpson" being the moral compass and heart and soul of The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on the legacy of The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on production on The Simpsons during the COVID-19 pandemic -- moving from recording like a radio play with everyone together, to recording in her home, to recording solo at the studio
Yeardley Smith on The Simpsons "predictions" that have come true
Yeardley Smith on Senator Ted Cruz's remarks about Democrats being the party of "Lisa Simpson"
Yeardley Smith on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo posting a meme of "Lisa Simpson"
Yeardley Smith on politicians pulling "Lisa Simpson" into politics and The Simpsons staying relevant
Yeardley Smith on the possibility of "Lisa Simpson" being polyamorous or introducing LGBTQ+ characters on The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on the 700th episode of The Simpsons occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic and moderating panels of The Simpsons cast and creators
Yeardley Smith on being approached to do a podcast about The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on how long she thinks The Simpsons will run for -- possibly 1000 episodes
Yeardley Smith on how "Lisa Simpson" and her family would fare during the COVID-19 pandemic; on whether the Simpsons would have survived quarantine together

Tracey Ullman Show, The

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Yeardley Smith on how she got the audition for "Lisa Simpson" (when The Simpsons was a feature on The Tracey Ullman Show)
Yeardley Smith on her audition for "Lisa Simpson" and how she originally was brought in to read for "Bart Simpson"
Yeardley Smith on the original incarnation of The Simpsons, which were bumpers before commercials of The Tracey Ullman Show
Yeardley Smith on The Simpsons spinning off from The Tracey Ullman Show, and its immediate success
Yeardley Smith on how The Simpsons has changed since it started as part of The Tracey Ullman Show

Twilight Zone, The

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Yeardley Smith on appearing on episode of the 1980s version of The Twilight Zone
Topics

Censorship / Standards & Practices

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Yeardley Smith on censorship issues (or the lack thereof) on The Simpsons

Characters & Catchphrases

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Yeardley Smith on remaining fairly anonymous when The Simpsons first aired because the producers didn't want the actors out there (partially because they didn't want people to know that "Bart" was voiced by a woman)
Yeardley Smith on Paul and Linda McCartney's guest appearance on The Simpsons, and how they made the writers promise that "Lisa" would remain a vegetarian for the rest of the series

Classic TV series episodes

View Topic
Yeardley Smith on Michael Jackson guest starring on The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on Dustin Hoffman guest starring on The Simpsons on the episode "Lisa's Substitute"

Comedy

View Topic
Yeardley Smith on Michael Jackson guest starring on The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on Dustin Hoffman guest starring on The Simpsons on the episode "Lisa's Substitute"

Criticism of TV

View Topic
Yeardley Smith on the criticism of The Simpsons when it debuted

Emmy Awards

View Topic
Yeardley Smith on winning an Emmy in 1992 for playing "Lisa Simpson" on The Simpsons

Fame and Celebrity

View Topic
Yeardley Smith on remaining fairly anonymous when The Simpsons first aired because the producers didn't want the actors out there (partially because they didn't want people to know that "Bart" was voiced by a woman)
Yeardley Smith on her relationship to fame and celebrity

First Big Break

View Topic
Yeardley Smith on how she got her first New York agent
Yeardley Smith on her Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard's "The Real Thing" directed by Mike Nichols

Historic Events and Social Change

View Topic
Yeardley Smith on production on The Simpsons during the COVID-19 pandemic -- moving from recording like a radio play with everyone together, to recording in her home, to recording solo at the studio
Yeardley Smith on her podcast series within a series, Behind the Badge, and addressing police reform in the wake of the murder of George Floyd

Industry Crossroads

View Topic
Yeardley Smith on production on The Simpsons during the COVID-19 pandemic -- moving from recording like a radio play with everyone together, to recording in her home, to recording solo at the studio

Overcoming Adversity

View Topic
Yeardley Smith on the challenges of show business: "It made me care about things that don't matter"
Yeardley Smith on creating balance in her life, starting her shoe line, and creating her development company

Pivotal Career Moments

View Topic
Yeardley Smith on how she got her first New York agent
Yeardley Smith on her Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard's "The Real Thing" directed by Mike Nichols
Yeardley Smith on the challenges of show business: "It made me care about things that don't matter"
Yeardley Smith on creating balance in her life, starting her shoe line, and creating her development company

Pop Culture

View Topic
Yeardley Smith on The Simpsons spinning off from The Tracey Ullman Show, and its immediate success
Yeardley Smith on remaining fairly anonymous when The Simpsons first aired because the producers didn't want the actors out there (partially because they didn't want people to know that "Bart" was voiced by a woman)
Yeardley Smith on her relationship to fame and celebrity
Yeardley Smith on Paul and Linda McCartney's guest appearance on The Simpsons, and how they made the writers promise that "Lisa" would remain a vegetarian for the rest of the series
Yeardley Smith on Michael Jackson guest starring on The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on Dustin Hoffman guest starring on The Simpsons on the episode "Lisa's Substitute"

Television Industry

View Topic
Yeardley Smith on the differences between television/film and theater
Yeardley Smith on the criticism of The Simpsons when it debuted
Yeardley Smith on censorship issues (or the lack thereof) on The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on production on The Simpsons during the COVID-19 pandemic -- moving from recording like a radio play with everyone together, to recording in her home, to recording solo at the studio
Professions

Actress

View Profession
Yeardley Smith on her stage fright and how she's overcome it by being "over prepared"
Yeardley Smith on her early determination to find success as an actress, and feeling that she had a "gift"
Yeardley Smith on playing to your strengths as an actor and finding her way into a role
Yeardley Smith on the differences between television/film and theater, and appearing as a guest star on a TV show
Yeardley Smith on performing "Lisa Simpson"
Yeardley Smith on being on The Simpsons and wanting to get more on-camera roles

Performers

View Profession
Yeardley Smith on her stage fright and how she's overcome it by being "over prepared"
Yeardley Smith on her early determination to find success as an actress, and feeling that she had a "gift"
Yeardley Smith on playing to your strengths as an actor and finding her way into a role
Yeardley Smith on the differences between television/film and theater, and appearing as a guest star on a TV show
Yeardley Smith on performing "Lisa Simpson"
Yeardley Smith on being on The Simpsons and wanting to get more on-camera roles
Yeardley Smith on production on The Simpsons during the COVID-19 pandemic -- moving from recording like a radio play with everyone together, to recording in her home, to recording solo at the studio

Voiceover

View Profession
Yeardley Smith on production on The Simpsons during the COVID-19 pandemic -- moving from recording like a radio play with everyone together, to recording in her home, to recording solo at the studio
Genres

Animation

View Genre
Yeardley Smith on her voice, auditioning for "Lisa Simpson," and why she doesn't do other characters on The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on The Simpsons
Yeardley Smith on production on The Simpsons during the COVID-19 pandemic, on politicians pulling "Lisa Simpson" into politics and The Simpsons staying relevant, and on how long she thinks The Simpsons will run for

Classic Anthology Series

View Genre
Yeardley Smith on appearing on episode of the 1980s version of The Twilight Zone

Comedy Series

View Genre
Yeardley Smith on appearing on episodes of Mama's Family
Yeardley Smith on Herman's Head
Yeardley Smith on production on The Simpsons during the COVID-19 pandemic, on politicians pulling "Lisa Simpson" into politics and The Simpsons staying relevant, and on how long she thinks The Simpsons will run for
People

Hank Azaria

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Yeardley Smith on working with Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer on The Simpsons

James L. Brooks

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Yeardley Smith on James L. Brooks having demanded that Fox not give The Simpsons any studio/network notes when the show first premiered (which has continued throughout its run)
Yeardley Smith on getting fired from "Say Anything," which was produced by James L. Brooks

Nancy Cartwright

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Yeardley Smith on working with Nancy Cartwright on The Simpsons

Dan Castellaneta

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Yeardley Smith on working with Dan Castellaneta on The Simpsons

Ted Cruz

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Yeardley Smith on Senator Ted Cruz's remarks about Democrats being the party of "Lisa Simpson"

Dustin Hoffman

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Yeardley Smith on Dustin Hoffman guest starring on The Simpsons on the episode "Lisa's Substitute"

Michael Jackson

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Yeardley Smith on Michael Jackson guest starring on The Simpsons

Al Jean

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Yeardley Smith on the 700th episode of The Simpsons occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic and moderating panels of The Simpsons cast and creators

Julie Kavner

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Yeardley Smith on working with Julie Kavner on The Simpsons

Mike Nichols

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Yeardley Smith on her Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard's "The Real Thing" directed by Mike Nichols

Mike Pompeo

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Yeardley Smith on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo posting a meme of "Lisa Simpson"

Matt Selman

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Yeardley Smith on the 700th episode of The Simpsons occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic and moderating panels of The Simpsons cast and creators

Harry Shearer

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Yeardley Smith on working with Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer on The Simpsons

All Interviews

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