11. Professor Frink
A lot of Simpson's characters are comical archetypes: close-to-the-bone caricatures melding stereotypes with genuine expectations of character traits, which is invariably why certain characters inspire offence and complaints. Frink is one such character, taking the same genetic make-up that pre-figured The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper, but making a Frankenstein's monster of even greater, and more socially awkward proportions. Frink is a super-genius, capable of inventing pretty much anything he sets his mind to - which invariably comes in handy when the Treehouse Of Horror episodes require a mad professor type - but who is presented as comically inept with women (despite the fact that he has a son, and mentions having a wife in his very first appearance.) But it's never the substance of his appearances that really matter, and more the incredible delivery that has made Frink one of the most memorable, and scene-stealing of all the Simpsons' supporting cast. Hank Azaria's homage to Jerry Lewis' performance in the original Nutty Professor is hilariously on the nose, with the ad-libbed "Frink noises" now becoming more popular than any of his actual dialogue. And for a character to be reduced to a serious of nonsensical noises, and not to lose anything of his appeal is an incredible feat.
Select Quote: "Right, step away foolish amateurs, just keep back, keep out of it. The role is mine with the acting and the groupies and the "Luke, Luke, save me" with the lightsaber and the vwing, vwing, vwing."