When the show needs someone to dole out some physical comedy or some physical feat, Homer is usually the shows designated marionette. However, Bart can do one better as he had actually died on the show whereas Homer can only lay claim to falling down Springfield Gorge twice in a row. In the episode 'Bart Gets Hit By A Car', Bart is hit by Mr Burns' car and he actually dies for a few minutes. But after making a nuisance of himself in heaven before being sent down to hell, the devil revives Bart because he isn't expected in hell for another century or so. Had that episode come out in 2015, there would've been a 50-50 chance that Bart dies. Of course, this is The Simpsons and the episode came out in the early 90's, and as such, the Game of Thrones 'kill em all' approach to popular TV protagonists wasn't quite in yet. Besides, killing off any Simpsons character has never gone down well with fans as Maude Flanders, Lionel Hutz, Krusty's dad, and Mrs Krabappel can attest to.