The Simpsons: 10 Greatest One-Time Characters
8. Michael Jackson/Leon Kompowsky
The Episode: "Stark Raving Dad" (Season 3, Episode 1)
The Voice Actor: Michael Jackson
Leon Kompowsky (or "Michael Jackson," as he prefers to be known) is one of the most bizarre characters to have ever turned up in an episode of The Simpsons, and yet he also stands as one of the show's most memorable one-timers. It's a result, perhaps, of his having been voiced by none other than Michael Jackson, who - at the time this episode aired - was probably the most famous man in the world.
In a strange but genius conceit, then, Homer winds up meeting Leon - a fat, balding man with thuggish looks - when he's committed to a mental institution after accidentally wearing a pink shirt to work. Leon's there because he think he's Michael Jackson, of course, and the two begin to bond over their perceived lack of mental stability. As a result of Jackson's voice work and great writing, Leon's easy to love.
In an even more bizarre turn of events, Jackson refused to sing for the episode's epic denouement, where Bart and Leon perform the now iconic song, "Happy Birthday, Lisa," for Lisa Simpson. According to reports, though, Jackson did at least write the song. Comforting to know, amidst all the craziness.