12 Greatest One-Off Simpsons Characters

The pilfering pensioner is one of the most likeable one shot characters in The Simpsons’ history, which is unsurprising when you consider that he is portrayed by the being of pure goodness that is Sam Neill.

“Homer The Vigilante” is an especially packed episode of prime Simpsons, with a plot driven by Neill’s catburglar character. He creates a panic in town by robbing the folks of Springfield blind, but once he works his charms - winning the angry mob round with the assertion that the town stole his heart - they’re happy to have him around, thief or otherwise.

The character is another outsider who rolls into Springfield and effortlessly outsmarts the town’s residents. Homer, in his role as catburglar hunter, manages to detail him briefly, but the wily thief sends the venal residents off on a wild goose chase while he slips out of jail.

It’s a lovely turn from the always enjoyable Neill, and a key example of a character who only really needed to be the catalyst for silliness, but instead was lovingly fleshed out to create a great anchor to the episode.