The Simpsons is still kicking – but its voice actors aren’t getting any younger

Fox has renewed The Simpsons for another four seasons, but while its characters don’t have to deal with the fripperies of age, the voice actors do.

By the time the 40th season airs in 2028, Dan Castellaneta and Julie Kavner will be 71 and 78 respectively. They provide the voices for Homer and Marge, a couple in their late thirties, and the age gap is beginning to show.

The elephant in the room? How good artificial intelligence is at mimicry.

With hundreds of hours of ‘data’ to train on, AI could easily fill in if a Simpsons stalwart can no longer perform or needs a touch up to make them sound younger.

But turning to technology is no panacea, even putting aside the ethical considerations.

Simpsons veteran Hank Azaria says voice acting often involves body movement, improvisation and prop usage.

“AI can make the sound,” he told the NYT earlier this year. “But it will still need people to make the performance.”

Photo credit: Fox