The Simpsons: 10 Characters Who Reappeared After Long Absences
4. Artie Ziff
Marge's one-time fling (and future tech millionaire) Artie Ziff first rears his curly-haired head in the Season 2 flashback episode The Way We Was.
This episode tells the story of how Marge and Homer got together, and Artie plays a pivotal role in the origin story of Springfield's most famous couple. Artie - Marge's original date for the prom - and his "busy hands" get a slap from Marge which ultimately helps her realise she should have gone out with Homer.
It took ten seasons for Artie to get over his heartbreak before he finally re-emerged in Marge's life. With some encouragement/bullying from Patty and Selma, Marge agrees to spend a weekend with Ziff in exchange for money to help Homer fight his snoring problem.
Ziff uses his considerable wealth to try and convince his former beau that she made the wrong choice, including throwing a re-enactment of their prom. In the end though, Marge stands by her man and rejects Artie once again.
Not to be deterred by this defeat, Artie would return a few more times across the show, always with the intention of winning over his lady love. Guess how many times he succeeded?