Hank Azaria
Hank Azaria
Henry Albert "Hank" Azariais an American actor, voice actor, comedian and producer. He is known for starring in the animated television sitcom The Simpsons, voicing Moe Szyslak, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, Carl Carlson and numerous others. After attending Tufts University, Azaria joined the series with little voice acting experience, but became a regular in its second season, with many of his performances on the show being based on famous actors and characters...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionVoice Actor
Date of Birth25 April 1964
CityNew York City, NY
CountryUnited States of America
When you mimic everyone, sometimes authority figures really don't appreciate it which is not an original story. And pretty much every comedian has some tale of that.
You know, I was a huge fan of comedy and movies and TV growing up, and I was able to memorize and mimic a lot of things, not realizing that that meant I probably wanted to be an actor.
I have no new voices - they've all been used.
The craft Emmys are kind of the kids' table at Thanksgiving. You're not really invited to the big dance. It's still really, really exciting, and the statue still counts.
The Iraq War. No one took to the streets over it. It certainly would have been appropriate. If anybody even hinted we should... you were called un-American and not supporting the troops.
My ultimate is Peter Sellers - his ability to go broad and somehow humanize that and be hilarious at the same time. He was just relatable, real at the same time as insane. I find Ricky Gervais absolutely hilarious. Steve Martin is another hero of mine - he's a genius.
When I was young in L.A. and I couldn't get into clubs or restaurants, I would call imitating celebrities and get a table, and it would work often. I was either Stallone or Mickey Rourke: 'This is Sly. I may be late, but my buddy Hank will be there early.'
Creatively, this is the best job I've ever had.
It's such a complex little show. Watching the second season, the writing deepened, the performance deepened, our interactions deepened. It was fun to get another whack at it, and we all know what we're doing a little bit more this time.
I always hoped for a show that was realistic and provocative and moving and funny. And to me, it's exceeded those expectations ... not to mention the people who have climbed aboard to join in it. As a creative endeavor, it's been the greatest experience of my life.
The 'Family Ties' role was the first of many gay roles that I've ended up playing. I remember that I made them laugh, and it made me feel good, 'cause it really cracked them up.
I'm very happy I get to keep working - it's an insanely fortunate thing.
I've met a lot of rock stars when they come to The Simpsons, and almost every one of them I get really freaked out.
I've done literally 100, 150 different characters.