10 Actors Who Turned Down Voicing Characters On The Simpsons

Guest appearances on The Simpsons don't always guarantee a recurring role, but it does happen on occasion. Notable occurrences include Marcia Wallace as Edna Krabappel, Phil Hartman as both Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure, and Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony.

The Simpsons' writers almost had a different idea in mind for the latter of those, having reportedly tried - and failed - to obtain the illustrious Sheldon Leonard for the role of Springfield's mob boss. Sheldon was renowned for playing heavy gangster characters, his thick New York accent making him a convincing choice for any such role - Fat Tony included.

Season three's Bart The Murderer featured the first appearance of the mob gangster, which sees Bart hired to bartend for the Springfield Mafia at their demand. This marked the beginning of Mantegna's famed association to the character, which continued until a heart attack resulted in his demise in Donnie Fatso, his lifeless body landing in Homer's arms.

It's unknown as to why Sheldon Leonard was unable to appear in the role, though he passed away just a few years after the character's first appearance at 89-years-old.