A long-standing minor character from the beloved show The Simpsons is dead. He has been part of the series since the very first episode in 1989 – “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire”.
In this latest episode, “Cremains of the Day”, the character drops dead in Moe’s Tavern.
Spoiler Alert
The latest episode of The Simpsons marked the departure of Larry the Barfly, a familiar face to die-hard fans of the sitcom.
Larry was usually spotted in scenes set in Moe’s Tavern – the dive bar that Homer frequented. Larry was part of a boozy bunch that included well-known characters, like Homer’s friends Lenny, Carl and Barney.
The late character often sat next to the much more prominent Barney Gumble – the comical drunk with the slurred delivery.
Larry had been around for over three decades, yet never took a central role in any episode and almost nothing was known about his backstory.
The synopsis of the episode centres around these characters and Larry’s death – where the group go on a road trip to scatter Lenny’s ashes.
Larry’s full name is also revealed in the episode, while Homer and Moe’s crew grapple with other revelations about their late friend.
The voice behind Larry was Spinal Tap star Harry Shearer, who is also known for the voices of Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, and Waylon Smithers, amongst others.
Fans of the show took to social media to express their shock and sadness, while some admitted they never knew the barfly’s actual name.
Revisiting The Simpsons’ ‘Golden Era’
The Simpsons has been revisiting characters and storylines from its acclaimed “Golden Era”, that spanned from season three to season nine.
In 2023, they reintroduced Jacques, the flirtatious bowling instructor from season one, voiced by actor/ filmmaker Albert Brooks.
The Simpsons, an American animated sitcom, is a satirical depiction of American life. This is epitomised by the Simpson family, who live in the fictional town of Springfield.
The show caricatures society, Western culture, television, and the human condition.