6. Dustin Hoffman
Played: Mr. Bergstrom Episode: Lisa's Substitute Despite having such a recognisable voice, you may have missed Dustin Hoffman playing Mr. Bergstrom, as he was credited under the pseudonym 'Sam Etic'. Mr. Bergstrom rides into town dressed as a Jewish cowboy to cover for Miss Hoover's absence whilst she is treated for Lyme disease (which turns out to be psychosomatic), where he and Lisa develop a close bond after she is the only student able to point out three things wrong with his outfit. Mr. Bergstrom isn't just a substitute teacher to Lisa: he's a substitute father, as we find her relationship with Homer isn't as strong as perhaps it should be, especially when they visit the Springfield Museum of Natural History and bump into Mr. Bergstrom. Lisa is embarrassed and angered by Homer's buffoonery, and this frustration comes to a head when Mr. Bergstrom unexpectedly leaves town, handing her the famous note: "You are Lisa Simpson". Lisa's hurt at being abandoned and Homer's lack of empathy cause her to erupt, calling him a baboon - the stupidest, ugliest, smelliest ape of them all. We finally see Homer and Lisa make up in the end. Hoffman brings a touch of pure comedy to the episode, particularly in the scene where he says "Mrs. Krabappel, you're trying to seduce me" in a nod to his role in The Graduate. It's also one of the episodes where Homer's relationship with his smarter daughter is explored, and that always makes for an excellent episode in my opinion.