10 Best Simpsons Guest Stars (Who Played Themselves)

Leonard Nimoy makes two guest appearances in the show, both in episodes which are up there with the very best. His appearance in Marge Vs The Monorail is overshadowed by Phil Hartman’s Lyle Lanley, while he shares his guest spot in The Springfield Files with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson’s brilliant deadpan performances.

For what it’s worth, Duchovny and Anderson miss out here as they’re playing Mulder & Scully, rather than themselves.

The fact Nimoy is overlooked shouldn’t count against him though, not in such iconic episodes as those at least.

Compared the the quality of other episodes here (where the guest star is the only saving grace), there’s a cavern between the Golden Era and the modern age. Marge Vs The Monorail is full of hilarity, but Nimoy’s ‘cosmic ballet’ line and smug ‘didn’t I’ as he disappears are key parts of it.

Mostly though, Nimoy shines because he’s clearly in on the joke. His version of himself is basically a spoof. He brings a gravitas but is happy to use it to make himself look silly. Leaving early and running off after his cheesy ending in The Springfield Files is another great example.