10 Characters From The Simpsons Who Were Total Rip-Offs

By Adam Woolhouse /

4. Chief Clancy Wiggum's Voice Came From Edward G. Robinson

Some of the characters on The Simpsons are unique and individual, with only their voices coming from an outside source. Such is the case with the Springfield Chief of Police Clancy Wiggum. Hank Azaria, the voice of Wiggum, has stated his inspiration comes from legendary Hollywood character actor Edward G. Robinson, best remembered for his gangster characters in Little Caesar and Key Largo, as well as Dathan in The Ten Commandments, a bit Azaria has read as Wiggum a couple of times ("Where's your Messiah now, Flanders?") Wiggum and Robinson even got a chance to face-off on an episode. In Season 20's "Treehouse of Horror XIX," Robinson returns to Earth in "How To Get Ahead in Dead-vertising" and an argument ensues, each accusing the other of being a rip-off; it ends when Robinson shoots Wiggum in the stomach. ("I always thought I'd die of hepatitis ... see?")