The cast of The Simpsons has made an absolute killing from the long-running animated sitcom/satire. This is especially true of Nancy Cartwright, who voices the character of Bart Simpson. However, the cast has taken part in the series for many more reasons than just the epic money. The show, at least in the earlier years, was known as one of the most influential, groundbreaking, and downright hilarious shows on television. Not only that but, as everyone knows, The Simpsons have predicted so many things about the future.
For Simpsons stars like Dan Castellaneta, they are much more than the characters they play. In fact, many of the stars have notable careers outside of The Simpsons. This includes Kelsey Grammer, who first because famous on the classic sitcom Cheers. Not long after, Kesley's character was spun-off onto Frasier, which has gone down as one of the most profitable and beloved series of all time.
Kelsey's talents made him a perfect addition to the Simpsons in 1990. He has voiced the murderous former assistance to Krusty the Clown, Sideshow Bob, in 22 episodes... Although, given his presence on the show, it certainly feels like he's been in it more.
But how and why exactly was a major sitcom star such as Kelsey chosen to play such a particular character on The Simpsons?
Kesley Revealed The Truth To Graham Norton
England's The Graham Norton Show is one of the best places to learn fascinating celebrity tidbits. This is because the chat show host has multiple guests on at once and plays them with alcohol. It's a great way for them to feel at ease, even with cameras and a studio audience in front of them. This is exactly how Kelsey felt comfortable enough to divulge some fascinating behind-the-scenes details about being cast on the famous Fox (now Disney) show. Hint, it had a lot to do with Kelsey's ability to sing, which fans of Frasier know all too well...
"Kelsey, talking of singing," Graham Norton began, "how did the signing lead to Sideshow Bob in Simpsons."
"Oh well, Sam Simon, who created The Simpsons, was one of the writers on Cheers years ago," Kesley Grammer explained, saying that he would often walk onto set signing "Oh The Good Life" in his best Tony Bennet voice.
Such a trivial and mundane thing clearly stuck with Sam Simon as years later it was still on his mind.
"He called me one afternoon and he said 'Hey, Kels, do you still sing?' Ya know. 'Could you sing a Cole Porter song, 'Every Time We Say Goodbye?' And I said, 'Of course, I could. Yeah. I love that song.' And he said, "Well, we got this character who's never actually said anything on [The Simpsons]. He's Krusty The Clown's sideshow. We call him Sideshow Bob. And we want him to speak finally. And we thought you should do it.'"
Kelsey agreed to do it but he did want to read the script.
"I read the script and it was actually really funny and wonderful. But [Sideshow Bob] was very cultured."
Kelsey then said that he had logged away a voice from his past that he's been saving for a specific character. And after he read that first script with Sideshow Bob, he knew that this was the character to lend this borrowed voice to...
How Kesley Found The Voice For Bart's Greatest Nemesis
Aside from the fact that Sideshow Bob loves to sing oldies, he is also known for the very specific voice that Kelsey Grammer gifted to him. During his interview on The Graham Norton Show, Kelsey explained how he came up with the voice for the character. He also did this while being interviewed by Rachael Ray a couple of years later...
"I used to work with this guy named Ellis Rabb, who was a famous actor, director, producer of Broadway shows here in New York City," Kelsey explained to Rachael Ray. "I used to work for him painting his apartment and then painting his offices as well."
Every time Ellis came back to the apartment, he would moan about his long day in the voice that became SideShow Bob's. Kelsey paid very close attention to the specifics of this voice, knowing that it would be of use to him later in life.
And boy was it ever!
Without a doubt, Kesley turned out to be the absolute best casting choice for the character of Sideshow Bob. He not only makes the character a menacing nemesis for Bart Simpsons, but he also adds that Frasier Crane-esque class and worldliness. This makes the character truly dynamic, engaging, and utterly memorable.
