The Simpsons: 10 Important Details That Are Almost Never Mentioned

Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz are undeniably two of the most popular and entertaining supporting characters from The Simpsons' first decade on the air - a washed-up actor and shyster lawyer respectively, both voiced terrifically by the late, great Phil Hartman.

Both characters were tragically retired in the late 1990s following the devastating murder of actor Hartman, and though the show has since recast some dead voice actors, in Hartman's case the decision was made to usher McClure and Hutz out of Springfield.

And due to the sudden nature of Hartman's death, the characters make totally unassuming exits from the show, with their absences remaining unexplained to this very day.

While it's of course entirely possible that people like McClure and Hutz would simply move away to pursue opportunities elsewhere - especially if McClure's career ticked upwards or Hutz got disbarred - it's certainly odd that their departures were never mentioned in even a cursory fashion.