10 Best Simpsons Guest Stars (Who Played Themselves)

Stephen Hawking might have been a genius, but he also loved cartoons. Not that the two are mutually exclusive mind. Still, when you think of the types of celebrities likely to appear in The Simpsons, a genius physicist might not be the first choice.

Perhaps fittingly, Hawking made more appearances in Groening’s other show, Futurama. He was just as hilarious there as he was in The Simpsons, but with the yellow family having more widespread appeal, this might be the guest spot he’s best known for.

His ‘voice’ itself is an iconic part of pop culture, and hearing it be put to comedy use here is fantastic. Appearing in four different episodes, his first turn in They Saved Lisa’s Brain is probably the most memorable.

In the episode, Mensa takes over Springfield, but Lisa’s vision of a utopia goes south as all of the members start acting selfishly, just as Hawking shows up. We then see an Inspector Gadget styled Hawking, with his wheelchair including helicopter rotor, boxing gloves and a toothbrush, showing how willing he is to laugh at himself.

Subsequent appearances in Don’t Fear The Roofer, Stop Or My Dog Will Shoot and Elementary School Musical don’t quite hit these heights.