Editing Homer Simpson (section)

==Character==
=== Creation ===
[[File:Matt Groening by Gage Skidmore -retouch.jpg|right|thumb|upright|[[Matt Groening]] (''pictured in 2009'') conceived Homer in 1987.|alt=A man in glasses and a plaid shirt sits in front of a microphone.]]
[[Matt Groening]] first conceived Homer and the rest of the [[Simpson family]] in 1987 while waiting in the lobby of producer [[James L. Brooks]]'s office.<ref name="p299">{{cite web | last=Thielman | first=Sam | title=Happy Birthd'oh!: ''The Simpsons'' Celebrates 30 Years of Cultural Milestones | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=April 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203044608/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/apr/19/the-simpsons-birthday-30-years-fox-history |archive-date=December 3, 2024 |url-status=live | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/apr/19/the-simpsons-birthday-30-years-fox-history | access-date=November 24, 2024}}</ref><ref name="k770">{{cite web | last=Bianculli | first=David | title=Simpson's Creator Matt Groening | publisher=[[NPR]] | date=February 14, 2003 | url=https://www.npr.org/2003/02/14/1162008/simpsons-creator-matt-groening | access-date=November 24, 2024 | archive-date=December 1, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201144554/https://www.npr.org/2003/02/14/1162008/simpsons-creator-matt-groening | url-status=live }}</ref> Groening was invited to pitch a series of animated shorts for ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]'' and initially planned to adapt his comic strip, ''[[Life in Hell]]''. Upon realizing that adapting the strip would require him to relinquish [[publication right]]s, he quickly decided to create something new.<ref name="a529">{{cite web | last=Cohen | first=Ivan | title=The 12 Most Unexpected Spinoffs in TV History | website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] | date=November 29, 2016 | url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/11/the-most-unexpected-spinoffs-in-tv-history.html | access-date=November 24, 2024 | archive-date=December 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207183931/https://www.vulture.com/2016/11/the-most-unexpected-spinoffs-in-tv-history.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Groening hastily sketched a concept for a [[dysfunctional family]],{{sfn|Sito|2006|p=305}}<ref>{{cite magazine|title=It's a Family Affair?|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=July 1990|page=67|volume=6|issue=4}}</ref> naming the characters after members of his own family.{{sfn|Fink|2019|p=21}}<ref name="k983">{{cite web | last=Day | first=Patrick Kevin | title=Matt Groening's mom dies; maiden name Wiggum, she inspired Marge Simpson | website=[[Los Angeles Times]] | url-access=subscription | date=May 7, 2013 | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-matt-groening-mom-marge-simpson-dies-20130507-story.html | access-date=December 21, 2024 | archive-date=May 20, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520081916/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-matt-groening-mom-marge-simpson-dies-20130507-story.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Groening named Homer after [[Homer Groening|his father]], who himself had been named after [[Homer|the ancient Greek poet]].<ref name="y744">{{cite web | title=''Simpsons'' creator reveals the real Springfield | work=[[Reuters]] | date=April 11, 2012 | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/simpsons-creator-reveals-the-real-springfield-idUSBRE8391FZ/ | access-date=January 5, 2025}}</ref>{{sfn|Arras|2018|p=214}}{{sfn|Janak|Blum|2013|p=82}} Very little of Homer's character was inspired by Groening's father, and to emphasize that the significance of the name was minimal, Groening later named his own son Homer.<ref>{{cite news|first=Joseph|last=Rose|author-link=Joseph Rose (journalist)|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2003818762_realsimpsons030.html |title=The real people behind Homer Simpson and family |newspaper=[[The Oregonian]] |publisher=Oregonian Media Group|location=Portland, Oregon|date=August 3, 2007 |access-date=April 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103120252/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2003818762_realsimpsons030.html |archive-date=January 3, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Elizabeth|last=Kolbert|author-link=Elizabeth Kolbert|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE4DD1239F936A15751C0A965958260 |title=Matt Groening; The Fun of Being Bart's Real Dad |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 25, 1993|access-date=September 3, 2008 }}</ref> Groening explained, "Homer originated with my goal to both amuse my real father, and just annoy him a little bit. My father was an athletic, creative, intelligent filmmaker and writer, and the only thing he had in common with Homer was a love of donuts".<ref name="f393">{{cite magazine | last=Snierson | first=Dan | title=''The Simpsons'': Matt Groening and Dan Castellaneta on EW's Greatest Character, Homer Simpson | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date=June 9, 2010 | url=https://ew.com/article/2010/06/09/simpsons-matt-groening-dan-castellaneta-greatest-character-homer-simpson/ | access-date=January 5, 2025}}</ref><ref name="d847">{{cite web | last=Moore | first=Sam | title=''The Simpsons'': 10 real-life inspirations behind the show's best-loved characters | website=[[NME]] | date=December 6, 2019 | url=https://www.nme.com/features/tv-features/the-simpsons-real-life-inspirations-behind-characters-springfield-2584343 | access-date=January 5, 2025}}</ref>

While Groening has often mentioned that Homer was named after his father, he has also stated in some interviews that the character Homer Simpson from [[Nathanael West]]'s 1939 novel ''[[The Day of the Locust]]'' and [[The Day of the Locust (film)|its 1975 film adaptation]] was an inspiration.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rip|last=Rense|author-link=Rip Rense|title=Laughing With ''The Simpsons''&nbsp;– The animated TV series shows us what's so funny about trying to be normal |newspaper=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |publisher=Entertainment News Service|date=April 13, 1990}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Andrews|title=Groening's Bart Simpson an animated alter ego|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-10-16/features/9002190671_1_matt-groening-homer-simpson-animation|work=[[Sun-Sentinel|South Florida Sun-Sentinel]]|date=October 16, 1990|access-date=January 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112042528/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-10-16/features/9002190671_1_matt-groening-homer-simpson-animation|archive-date=January 12, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> In a 2012 interview with the [[Smithsonian Magazine]], Groening clarified, "I took that name from a minor character in the novel ''The Day of the Locust''{{nbsp}}[...] Since Homer was my father's name, and I thought Simpson was a funny name in that it had the word "simp" in it, which is short for "simpleton"—I just went with it".<ref name="k102">{{cite web | title=Matt Groening Reveals the Location of the Real Springfield | website=[[Smithsonian Magazine]] | date=April 30, 2012 | url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/matt-groening-reveals-the-location-of-the-real-springfield-60583379/ | access-date=January 5, 2025}}</ref> Homer's middle initial "J", which stands for "Jay",{{sfn|Groening|2010|pp=480, 1096}}<ref>{{cite episode |title=D'oh-in' in the Wind |episode-link=D'oh-in' in the Wind |series=The Simpsons |credits=Cary, Donick; Kirkland, Mark; Nastuk, Matthew (writers)|network=Fox |airdate=November 15, 1998|season=10 |number=06}}</ref> is a nod to animated characters like [[Bullwinkle J. Moose]] and [[Rocket J. Squirrel]] from ''[[The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show]]'', whose middle initial was a tribute to series creator [[Jay Ward]].{{sfn|Heerden|2015|p=214}}<ref name="x978">{{cite web | last=Bibby | first=Daniel | title=Bart & Homer Simpson's Names Subtly Honor Another Classic Cartoon | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=February 11, 2024 | url=https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-honors-rocky-bullwinkle-character-names/ | access-date=January 5, 2025}}</ref> Homer first appeared alongside the Simpson family on April 19, 1987, in ''The Tracey Ullman Show'' [[The Simpsons shorts|short]] "[[Good Night (The Simpsons short)|Good Night]]".{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997|p=14}}{{sfn|Ott|2008|p=83}} On December 17, 1989, these shorts were developed into ''The Simpsons'', a half-hour series on the [[Fox Broadcasting Company]],{{sfn|Groening|2010|p=25}}{{sfn|Fink|2019|p=181}} where Homer and the Simpson family became the central characters.<ref name="b306">{{cite web | last=Gunning | first=Cathal | title=''The Simpsons'' Season 35 Finally Addressed One Of The Show's Biggest Mysteries | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=October 9, 2023 | url=https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-season-35-characters-age-mystery/ | access-date=November 26, 2024 | archive-date=September 15, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915224608/https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-season-35-characters-age-mystery/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Design ===
[[File:Homer Simpson design evolution.png|right|250px|thumb|alt=The design of Homer as he has changed since 1987|Homer's design has been revised several times over the course of the series. Left to right: Homer as he appeared in "[[Good Night (The Simpsons)|Good Night]]" (1987), "[[The Simpsons shorts|Bathtime]]" (1989), and "[[There's No Disgrace Like Home]]" (1990).]]
Homer's typical attire includes a short-sleeved white shirt with an open collar, blue pants, and gray shoes. He is overweight and bald, with a fringe of hair around the sides and back of his head and two curly strands on top.<!-- DO NOT ADD A TAG FOR A MISSING CITATION. This is shown through every episode as well as pictures throughout the article. See [[Wikipedia:Common knowledge]].  -->

The Simpson family was designed to be easily recognizable in silhouette.<ref name="h479">{{cite web | title=25 Things You Never Knew About ''The Simpsons'' | first=Michael | last=Hogan | website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | url-access=subscription | date=December 15, 2014 | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/the-simpsons/11289466/25-things-you-never-knew-about-the-simpsons.html | access-date=November 28, 2024 | archive-date=August 20, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820085806/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/the-simpsons/11289466/25-things-you-never-knew-about-the-simpsons.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="x786">{{cite web | title=21 Things You Never Knew About ''The Simpsons'' | website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | first=Michael | last=Hogan | date=December 27, 2014 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/21-things-you-never-knew-about-the-simpsons-20141219-12b5jj.html | access-date=November 28, 2024}}</ref> The characters were initially crudely drawn because Groening submitted rough sketches to the animators, expecting them to refine the designs; instead, the animators simply traced over his original drawings.<ref name="q232">{{cite magazine | last1=Bachor | first1=Kenneth | last2=Lin | first2=Joseph C. | title=The 30 Best Celebrity Cameos on The Simpsons | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=August 21, 2014 | url=https://time.com/3154233/simpsons-television-celebrity-entertainment/ | access-date=November 28, 2024 | archive-date=June 6, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606023744/https://time.com/3154233/simpsons-television-celebrity-entertainment/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Homer's appearance has been noted for its resemblance—intentional or not—to the cartoon character [[Silent Sam (comics)|Adamsson]], created by Swedish cartoonist [[Oscar Jacobsson]] in 1920.{{sfn|Fink|2019|p=4}} When Groening originally designed Homer, he incorporated his initials into the character's features: the [[hairline]] resembled an "M", and the right ear resembled a "G". While this design was eventually modified to make the ear appear more natural, Groening continues to draw it as a "G" in sketches for fans.{{sfn|Groening|2001|p=90}} Director [[Mark Kirkland]] has described Homer's head shape as resembling a tube-shaped coffee can topped with a salad bowl.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Archer, Wes; Groening, Matt; Kirkland, Mark (animators)|chapter=A Bit From the Animators: illustrated commentary for "[[Summer of 4 Ft. 2]]"|title=''The Simpsons'': The Complete Seventh Season (DVD)|date=2005|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=Fox}}</ref>

During ''The Simpsons'' shorts, animators experimented with Homer's mouth movements, at one point allowing his mouth to stretch beyond his beard line. However, this approach was abandoned when it became overly exaggerated.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Silverman, David; Archer, Wes (directors)|chapter=Illustrated commentary for "[[Treehouse of Horror IV]]"|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season (DVD)|date=2004|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> In early episodes, Homer's hair was more rounded to suggest a disheveled look, but it evolved into the consistently pointed style seen today. During the first three seasons, close-up shots of Homer occasionally included small lines meant to represent eyebrows. Groening disliked this detail, and the lines were eventually removed.<ref name="Dancin">{{cite AV media |people= Groening, Matt; Isaacs, David; Levine, Ken; Reiss, Mike; Kirkland, Mark (writers) |chapter= Commentary for "[[Dancin' Homer]] |title=The Simpsons: The Complete Second Season (DVD) |date=2002 |location= Los Angeles, California |publisher= 20th Century Fox}}</ref>

In the [[The Simpsons season 7|season seven]] (1995) episode "[[Treehouse of Horror VI]]", Bart, alongside Homer, was rendered as a three-dimensional character for the first time in the "Homer<sup>3</sup>" segment of the episode. The computer animation was provided by [[Pacific Data Images]]. In the final minute of the segment, the three-dimensional Homer transitions into a live-action setting, finding himself in real-world Los Angeles. Directed by [[David Mirkin]], this marked the first instance of a Simpsons character appearing in the real world within the series.<ref name="3D">{{cite news|last1=Oakley|first1=Bill|author-link1=Bill Oakley|last2=Weinstein|first2=Josh|author-link2=Josh Weinstein|last3=Johnson|first3=Tim|author-link3=Tim Johnson (film director)|last4=Silverman|first4=David|author-link4=David Silverman (animator)|last5=Mirkin|first5=David|author-link5=David Mirkin|last6=Cohen|first6=David X.|author-link6=David X. Cohen|title="Homer in the Third Dimension" (2005), In ''The Simpsons: The Complete Seventh Season''|publisher=[[20th Century Home Entertainment]]}}</ref> In "[[Lisa's Wedding]]" ([[The Simpsons season 6|season six]], 1995), which is set fifteen years in the future, Homer's design was modified to reflect his older age. Changes included increased weight, the removal of one hair from the top of his head, and the addition of an extra line under his eye. This older design has since been used in subsequent [[flashforward]] episodes.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Mirkin, David (director)|chapter=Commentary for "[[Lisa's Wedding]]|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Sixth Season (DVD)|date=2005|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>
{{clear}}

=== Voice ===
[[File:Dan Castellaneta 2.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A man in his forties wearing a brown cap, a light blue shirt with a very dark blue sweater. He has a slight smile, and his hand is on the red table.|[[Dan Castellaneta]] (''pictured in 2002'') voices Homer.]]
Homer's voice is provided by [[Dan Castellaneta]].{{sfn|Browning|Picart|2014|p=166}}{{sfn|Terrace|2014|p=300}} Castellaneta also voices several other characters on ''The Simpsons'', including [[Grampa Simpson]],{{sfn|Pike|2014|p=73}} [[Krusty the Clown]],<ref name="o921">{{cite journal | last1=Farrokh Baroughi | first1=Alireza | last2=Craver | first2=Scott | editor-first1=Adnan M. | editor-first2=Nasir D. | editor-first3=Chad D. | editor-last1=Alattar | editor-last2=Memon | editor-last3=Heitzenrater | title=The non-trusty clown attack on model-based speaker recognition systems | date=March 4, 2015 | doi=10.1117/12.2083412 | page=155 | journal=[[Society for Imaging Science and Technology|The Journal of Electronic Imaging]]| series=Media Watermarking, Security, and Forensics 2015 | volume=9409 | bibcode=2015SPIE.9409E..04F }}</ref> including [[Barney Gumble]],<ref name="k637">{{cite magazine | last=Boardman | first=Madeline | title='The Simpsons': See the voice actors behind your favorite characters | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date=April 29, 2016 | url=https://ew.com/gallery/the-simpsons-voices-actors/ | access-date=January 5, 2025}}</ref> [[Groundskeeper Willie]],{{sfn|Lawson|Persons|2009|p=111}} [[Mayor Quimby]],{{sfn|Martone|2016|p=328}} and [[Hans Moleman]].<ref name="d866">{{cite web | last=Tyler | first=Adrienne | title=''The Simpsons'': Hans Moleman Is A Clone Theory Explained | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=April 4, 2021 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-show-hans-moleman-clones-theory-explained/ | access-date=January 5, 2025}}</ref> 

Castellaneta, a regular cast member on ''The Tracey Ullman Show'', had prior experience in voice-over work, which he had done in Chicago alongside his wife, [[Deb Lacusta]]. When voices were needed for ''The Simpsons'' shorts, the producers chose Castellaneta and fellow cast member [[Julie Kavner]] to voice Homer and Marge, respectively, opting not to hire additional actors.<ref name="FN">{{cite news|first=Lynn|last=Elber|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/doh-the-voice-of-homer-is-deceivingly-deadpan|title=D'oh!: The Voice of Homer Is Deceivingly Deadpan|website=[[Fox News Channel]]|publisher=[[News Corporation]]|date=August 18, 2007|access-date=September 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703090128/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C129665%2C00.html|archive-date=July 3, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Age">{{cite news|first=Luaine|last=Lee|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/27/1046064146568.html|title=D'oh, you're the voice|work=[[The Age]]|date=February 27, 2003|access-date=September 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102224412/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/27/1046064146568.html|archive-date=November 2, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In the shorts and the first season of the half-hour series, Homer's voice differed noticeably from its later incarnation. Initially, it was modeled as a loose impression of [[Walter Matthau]] but Castellaneta found it challenging to maintain the Matthau-inspired tone during the nine- to ten-hour recording sessions and sought a more sustainable approach.<ref name="The Age"/><ref name="MTV"/> By the second and third seasons, Castellaneta had "dropped the voice down" and developed it into a more versatile and humorous style, enabling Homer to express a broader range of emotions.<ref name="FN"/><ref name="matthau">{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Brownfield|url=http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/castellaneta99.html|title=He's Homer, but This Odyssey Is His Own |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=July 6, 1999 |access-date=September 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512004132/http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/castellaneta99.html |archive-date=May 12, 2008 }}</ref>

Castellaneta's natural speaking voice bears no resemblance to Homer's.<ref name="Aspen">{{cite news|last=Harden|first=Mark |url=http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/castellaneta00.html |title='Simpsons' voice Dan Castellaneta has some surprises for Aspen fest |work=[[The Denver Post]] |date=February 9, 2000 |access-date=September 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710115213/http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/castellaneta00.html |archive-date=July 10, 2009 }}</ref> To create Homer's voice, Castellaneta lowers his chin to his chest and adopts what he describes as a state of "letting his I.Q. go".<ref name="The Age"/><ref name="Mirkin">{{cite AV media|people=Mirkin, David|year=2004|title=Commentary for "[[Bart's Inner Child]]", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season'' [DVD]|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> This method has even led to ad-libs, including the famous "S-M-R-T; I mean, S-M-A-R-T!" line from "[[Homer Goes to College]]" ([[The Simpsons season 5|season five]], 1993), which stemmed from a genuine recording mistake.<ref name="CastellanetaBIC">{{cite AV media|people=[[Dan Castellaneta|Castellaneta, Dan]] (actor)|chapter=Commentary for "[[Bart's Inner Child]]"|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season (DVD)|date=2004|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Castellaneta prefers to stay in character during recording sessions and visualizes scenes to deliver the appropriate vocal performance.<ref name="Tribune">{{cite news|first=Terry|last=Morrow|url=http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/jun/23/voice-homer-simpson-leads-his-own-simple-life/ |title=Voice of Homer Simpson leads his own, simple life |newspaper=[[The Albuquerque Tribune]]|publisher=Scripps Howard News Service |date=June 23, 2007| access-date=September 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012024317/http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/jun/23/voice-homer-simpson-leads-his-own-simple-life/ |archive-date=October 12, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|people=[[Dan Castellaneta|Castellaneta, Dan]] (actor)| chapter=Commentary for "[[Homer the Great]]|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Sixth Season (DVD)|date=2005|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Despite Homer's widespread fame, Castellaneta says he is rarely recognized in public—unless by an especially dedicated fan.<ref name="Tribune"/> In "[[Homer's Barbershop Quartet]]" (season five, 1993), Homer's voice was partially performed by someone other than Castellaneta. The episode follows Homer forming a barbershop quartet called the Be Sharps, with his singing voice provided at times by a member of [[the Dapper Dans]].{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997|p=120}} The Dapper Dans recorded the singing parts for all four members of the group, blending their vocals with the regular voice actors. Often, a primary voice actor sang the melody while the Dapper Dans provided harmonic backup.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=[[Jeff Martin (writer)|Martin, Jeff]] (writer)|chapter=Commentary for "[[Homer's Barbershop Quartet]]"|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season (DVD)|date=2004|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>

Castellaneta was initially paid [[US$]]30,000 per episode for his work on ''The Simpsons'' until 1998.<ref name="y759">{{cite web | last=Barrett | first=Patrick | title=D'oh! ''Simpsons'' go on strike | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=April 1, 2004 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/apr/01/broadcasting.uknews | access-date=January 27, 2025}}</ref><ref name="e937" /> That year, a pay dispute arose, during which Fox threatened to replace the six main voice actors and even began preparing for new casting.<ref name="Glaister">{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/02/1080544690429.html|title=''Simpsons'' Actors Demand Bigger Share|access-date=October 26, 2008|date=April 3, 2004|last=Glaister|first=Dan|work=[[The Age]]|location=Melbourne|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202171844/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/02/1080544690429.html|archive-date=December 2, 2008|url-status=live}}
</ref><ref name="s696">{{cite magazine | last=Snierson | first=Dan | title=Harry Shearer to Exit ''The Simpsons''? | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date=May 8, 2015 | url=https://ew.com/article/2015/05/08/harry-shearer-exiting-simpsons/ | access-date=December 1, 2024 | archive-date=December 4, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204005526/https://ew.com/article/2015/05/08/harry-shearer-exiting-simpsons/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The conflict was ultimately resolved, and Castellaneta salary increased to $125,000 per episode.<ref name="n760">{{cite web | title=Simpsons cast sign new pay deal | publisher=[[BBC]] | date=June 3, 2008 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/mobile/entertainment/7434296.stm | access-date=January 27, 2025}}</ref><ref name="o315">{{cite web | last=Stowe | first=Dusty | title=How Much Does The Cast Of ''The Simpsons'' Get Paid? | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=October 2, 2017 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-cast-salary-paid/ | access-date=December 1, 2024 | archive-date=March 25, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325185357/https://screenrant.com/simpsons-cast-salary-paid/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2004, the voice cast pushed for higher wages, seeking $360,000 per episode.<ref name="l796">{{cite web | title=D'oh! Am I Underpaid?; Negotiations Are Stalled for Voice Actors in ''The Simpsons'' | website=[[The New York Times]] | url-access=subscription | first=Bernard | last=Weinraub | author-link=Bernard Weinraub | date=April 14, 2004 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/14/arts/d-oh-am-i-underpaid-negotiations-are-stalled-for-voice-actors-in-the-simpsons.html | access-date=December 1, 2024 | archive-date=December 4, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204163825/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/14/arts/d-oh-am-i-underpaid-negotiations-are-stalled-for-voice-actors-in-the-simpsons.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="e937">{{cite web |last=Block |first=Alex Ben |title=''The Simpsons'' Pay Disputes |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=October 11, 2011 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/simpsons-pay-disputes-246835/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |archive-date=December 3, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203065624/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/simpsons-pay-disputes-246835/ |url-status=live}}</ref> After a brief argument, the dispute was settled, and Castellaneta's pay was raised to $250,000 per episode.<ref name="t905">{{cite web | last=Collins | first=Scott | title=''Simpsons'' Cast, Fox Reach Deal | website=[[Los Angeles Times]] | url-access=subscription | date=May 1, 2004 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-may-01-fi-simpsons1-story.html | access-date=December 1, 2024 | archive-date=December 3, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203220257/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-may-01-fi-simpsons1-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="g965">{{cite web | last=Schneider | first=Michael | title=Voices Carry at Fox | website=[[variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=May 2, 2004 | url=https://variety.com/2004/scene/markets-festivals/voices-carry-at-fox-1117904168/ | access-date=December 1, 2024 | archive-date=October 18, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018054719/https://variety.com/2004/scene/markets-festivals/voices-carry-at-fox-1117904168/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008, further negotiations increased the cast's salaries to approximately $400,000 per episode.<ref name="h432">{{cite web | last=Byrne | first=Ciar | title=Homer's No Loser with a Voice Worth $400,000 Per Show | website=[[The Independent]] | date=June 3, 2008 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/homer-s-no-loser-with-a-voice-worth-400-000-per-show-839589.html | access-date=December 1, 2024 | archive-date=December 3, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203132550/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/homer-s-no-loser-with-a-voice-worth-400-000-per-show-839589.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="i903">{{cite magazine | last=Wortham | first=Jenna | title=''Simpsons'' Ink Deal for 20th Season, Score More D'Oh | magazine=[[WIRED]] | date=June 3, 2008 | url=https://www.wired.com/2008/06/simpsons/ | access-date=December 1, 2024 | archive-date=December 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207143546/https://www.wired.com/2008/06/simpsons/ |url-status=live}}</ref> However, in 2011, Fox demanded production cost reductions, threatening to cancel the series if costs were not cut. In response, Castellaneta and the other main cast members agreed to a 30{{nbsp}}percent pay reduction, lowering their per-episode earnings to just over $300,000.<ref>{{cite news|last=Block|first=Alex Ben|title=''The Simpsons'' Renewed for Two More Seasons|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/simpsons-renewed-two-more-seasons-245748|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=October 15, 2011|date=October 7, 2011|archive-date=January 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125073424/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/simpsons-renewed-two-more-seasons-245748|url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''[[Backstage (magazine)|Backstage]]'', he was the sixth highest-paid voice actor by late 2024.<ref name="g914">{{cite web | last=Reynolds | first=Robin | title=The 15 Highest-Paid Voice Actors | website=[[Backstage (magazine)|Backstage]] | date=November 18, 2024 | url=https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/the-15-highest-paid-voice-actors-77980/ | access-date=January 27, 2025}}</ref>
{{clear}}

=== Character development ===
Executive producer [[Al Jean]] observes that in ''The Simpsons'' writers' room, "everyone loves writing for Homer", with many of his antics inspired by the writers' own experiences.<ref>{{cite news|first=Todd|last=Leopold|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/13/simpsons.300/index.html|title=The Simpsons Rakes in the D'oh!|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=February 13, 2003|access-date=September 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210182915/http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/13/simpsons.300/index.html|archive-date=December 10, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> In the show's early seasons, Bart was the main character, but by the [[The Simpsons season 4|fourth season]], Homer took on a more prominent role. Groening explained this shift: "With Homer, there's just a wider range of jokes you can do. And there are far more drastic consequences to Homer's stupidity. There's only so far you can go with a juvenile delinquent. We wanted Bart to do anything up to the point of him being tried in court an adult. But Homer is an adult, and his boneheaded-ness is funnier. [...] Homer is launching himself headfirst into every single impulsive thought that occurs to him".<ref name="EW 2010">{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Snierson|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/06/09/simpsons-matt-groening-dan-castellaneta-greatest-character-homer-simpson/|title=''The Simpsons'': Matt Groening and Dan Castellaneta on EW's Greatest Character, Homer Simpson|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=June 9, 2010|access-date=September 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819172650/http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/06/09/simpsons-matt-groening-dan-castellaneta-greatest-character-homer-simpson/|archive-date=August 19, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Mike Scully by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|upright|right|alt=Mike Scully speaking into a microphone|Some argued that under [[Mike Scully]]'s (''pictured'') tenure as [[executive producer]], Homer exhibited a more aggressive "jerkass" attitude.]]
Homer's character has evolved significantly over the course of ''The Simpsons''. Initially, he was portrayed as "very angry" and domineering toward Bart, but these traits were softened as his personality was developed further.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Groening, Matt (writer)|chapter=Commentary for "[[Marge on the Lam]]|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season (DVD)|date=2004|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> In the early seasons, Homer often worried that his family might embarrass him, but in later episodes, he became less concerned with others' opinions.<ref name="disgrace">{{cite AV media |people=[[Mike Reiss|Reiss, Mike]] (writer) |chapter= Commentary for "[[There's No Disgrace Like Home]] |title=The Simpsons: The Complete First Season (DVD)|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> During the show's first years, Homer was depicted as dim-witted yet well-meaning. As noted by Jon Bonné of [[Today (American TV program)|''Today'']], somewhere around the seventh season, his behavior shifted toward being a "boorish, self-aggrandizing oaf".<ref>{{cite web |first=Jon |last=Bonné |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/simpsons-has-lost-its-cool-wbna3341530 |title=''The Simpsons'' has lost its cool |date=October 2, 2000 |access-date=September 5, 2008 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]}}</ref> Chris Suellentrop of ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' observed, "Under [[Mike Scully]]'s tenure [as [[executive producer]]], ''The Simpsons'' became, well, a cartoon.{{nbsp}}[...] Episodes that once would have ended with [[Duffless|Homer and Marge bicycling into the sunset]] now end with [[It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Marge|Homer blowing a tranquilizer dart into Marge's neck]]".<ref>{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Suellentrop|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2078501/|title=''The Simpsons'': Who turned America's Best TV Show into a Cartoon?|magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|access-date=September 27, 2008|date=February 12, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617122059/http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/assessment/2003/02/the_simpsons.html|archive-date=June 17, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Fans have labeled this version of the character as "Jerkass Homer".<ref name="x999">{{cite web | last=Tyler | first=Adrienne | title=''The Simpsons'' Jerkass Homer Explained | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=February 12, 2020 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-jerkass-homer-explained/ | access-date=January 27, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Alicia|last=Ritchey|url=http://media.www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2006/03/28/Arts/Matt-Groening.Did.You.Brain.Your.Damage-1751361.shtml |title=Matt Groening, did you brain your damage? |date=March 28, 2006 |access-date=March 13, 2008 |newspaper=[[The Lantern]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419110117/http://media.www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2006/03/28/Arts/Matt-Groening.Did.You.Brain.Your.Damage-1751361.shtml |archive-date=April 19, 2008 }}</ref> At recording sessions, Castellaneta has occasionally rejected lines from the script that he felt made Homer too cruel. He believes Homer is "boorish and unthinking, but he'd never be mean on purpose".<ref name="m233">{{cite web | title=There's nobody like him... except you, me, everyone | newspaper=[[The Times]] | last=McIntosh | first=Lindsay | url-access=subscription | date=July 8, 2007 | url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/theres-nobody-like-him-except-you-me-everyone-6b05sctmwbh | access-date=January 27, 2025}}</ref> When ''[[The Simpsons Movie]]'' (2007) was being edited, several scenes were adjusted to make Homer more sympathetic.<ref name=com>{{cite AV media|people=Brooks, James L. (director); Groening, Matt; Jean, Al; Scully, Mike; Silverman, David (writers); Castellaneta, Dan; Smith, Yeardley (actors)|date=2007| title=Commentary for ''[[The Simpsons Movie]]'' (DVD)|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>

Over the years, the writers have portrayed Homer with increasingly declining intelligence.<ref name="x745">{{cite web | last=Gunning | first=Cathal | title=The Simpsons Season 35's Ending Finally Solved A 30-Year Old Homer Mystery | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=May 22, 2024 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-season-35-episode-18-homer-intelligence-deteriorating-explained/ | access-date=April 13, 2025}}</ref><ref name="138th">{{cite AV media|people=Oakley, Bill; Weinstein, Josh; Vitti, Jon; Meyer, George (Writers)|date=2006| chapter=Commentary for "[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]"|title=''The Simpsons: The Complete Seventh Season'' (DVD)|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> They explain this was not done intentionally but became necessary to surpass earlier jokes. For instance, in "[[When You Dish Upon a Star]]" ([[The Simpsons season 10|season 10]], 1998), Homer admits he cannot read. Although this contradicts earlier scenes where Homer is shown reading, the writers decided to keep the gag because they found it funny. The team often debates how far to take Homer's stupidity, with one suggested guideline being that "he can never forget his own name".<ref name="Dish">{{cite AV media|people=Scully, Mike; Hauge, Ron; Selman, Matt; Appel, Rich; Michels, Pete (Writers)|chapter=Commentary for "[[When You Dish Upon a Star]]"|title=''The Simpsons: The Complete Tenth Season'' (DVD)|date=2007|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>

=== Personality ===
The comedic appeal of Homer's character stems from his frequent displays of bumbling stupidity, laziness, and explosive temper. With a low intelligence level, director [[David Silverman (animator)|David Silverman]] has described him as "creatively brilliant in his stupidity". Homer is characterized by his immense apathy towards work, overweight weight, love for food, and short [[attention span]].<ref name=sundvd>{{cite AV media |people=Groening, Matt; [[Mike Scully|Scully, Mike]]; Jean, Al; Brooks, James L.; Silverman, David (writers) |title=The Simpsons Movie: A Look Behind the Scenes |date=2007 |type=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> He frequently spends his evenings drinking Duff Beer at [[Moe's Tavern]] and, as depicted in the episode "[[Duffless]]" ([[The Simpsons season 4|season four]], 1993), has exhibited signs of full-blown alcoholism.{{sfn|Brown|Logan|2009|p=84}}{{sfn|Fink|2019|p=84}}<ref name=":1">{{cite episode |title=Duffless |episode-link=Duffless |series=The Simpsons |credits=[[David M. Stern|Stern, David M.]]; [[Jim Reardon|Reardon, Jim]] |network=Fox |airdate=February 18, 1993 |season=4 |number=16}}</ref> A recurring gag throughout the series involves Homer impulsively strangling Bart whenever he aggravates him, often accompanied by his catchphrase, "Why you little—!".{{sfn|Roache|2023|p=199}}<ref name="n422">{{cite web | last=Buncombe | first=Andrew | title='Times have changed': The Simpsons drop Homer strangling Bart gag | website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | url-access=subscription | date=November 3, 2023 | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/11/03/simpsons-homer-bart-strangling-scene-springfleld/ | access-date=February 12, 2025}}</ref> According to series creator Groening, Homer's strangling of Bart was never meant to be premeditated, as that would make it seem sadistic. Instead, it was made that Homer acts purely on impulse, easily switching from anger to indifference.<ref name="EW 2010"/><ref>{{cite AV media|people=Groening, Matt (writer)|chapter=Commentary for "[[Simpson and Delilah]]"|title=The Simpsons: The Complete Second Season (DVD)|date=2002|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Groening initially considered making Homer always receive a punishment or having Bart retaliate, but this was discarded.<ref name=sundvd/> In the episode "[[McMansion & Wife]]" ([[The Simpsons season 35|season 35]], 2023), Homer states that he no longer strangles Bart, citing changing times. However, the show's executive producers later clarified that Homer still strangles Bart, humorously noting, "Homer Simpson was unavailable for comment as he was busy strangling Bart".<ref name="z875">{{cite web | last=Schneider | first=Michael | title=Did ''The Simpsons'' Really Ban Homer From Strangling Bart? Producers Call Out 'Clickbaiting' Reports in New Drawing (Exclusive) | website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=November 9, 2023 | url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/the-simpsons-homer-strangling-bart-producers-respond-1235781806/ | access-date=February 12, 2025}}</ref><ref name="d522">{{cite web | last=Bailey | first=Kat | title=Simpsons Creator Calls Reports that Homer Is Done Strangling Bart 'Clickbaiting' | website=[[IGN]] | date=November 10, 2023 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/simpsons-creator-calls-reports-that-homer-is-done-strangling-bart-clickbaiting | access-date=February 12, 2025}}</ref>

[[File:HomerStranglesBart.jpg|right|thumb|The first sketch of Homer strangling Bart, drawn in 1988|alt=A black and white drawing of a man angrily grasping on to a boy's neck, with two girls making zany faces in the foreground and a woman making a disapproving face.]]

Homer has nuanced relationships with his family. His relationship with Bart is the most contentious;<ref name="r756">{{cite web | last=Heritage | first=Stuart | title=Homer Has Stopped Strangling Bart in The Simpsons and it's About Time | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=November 7, 2023 |archive-date=December 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220032316/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/07/homer-strangle-bart-simpsons | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/07/homer-strangle-bart-simpsons | access-date=December 18, 2024}}</ref><ref name="u412">{{cite web | last=Sherlock | first=Ben | title=The Simpsons: 10 Bart And Marge Moments That Broke Our Hearts | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=August 22, 2019 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-bart-marge-moments-broke-hearts/ | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=October 29, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029183916/https://screenrant.com/simpsons-bart-marge-moments-broke-hearts/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Bart frequently calls Homer by his first name rather than "Dad",{{sfn|Jackson|Moshin|2013|p=184}} and Homer often refers to him dismissively as "the boy".<ref name="p862">{{cite web | last=Deb | first=Sopan | title=Is Homer Simpson a Good Dad Now? | website=[[The New York Times]] | url-access=subscription | date=November 7, 2023 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/07/arts/television/homer-simpson-bart-strangle.html | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=November 20, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120192517/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/07/arts/television/homer-simpson-bart-strangle.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="c582">{{cite web | title=Ever Wonder What an Interview with Homer Simpson Will Be Like? Read on | website=[[Hindustan Times]] | date=September 26, 2014 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/ever-wonder-what-an-interview-with-homer-simpson-will-be-like-read-on/story-4pQublmzHDc33btEldCeBM.html | access-date=December 18, 2024 | archive-date=February 15, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215075554/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/ever-wonder-what-an-interview-with-homer-simpson-will-be-like-read-on/story-4pQublmzHDc33btEldCeBM.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Homer frequently overlooks Lisa's talents but, when confronted with his neglect, goes out of his way to support her.<ref name="u875">{{cite web | last=Sherlock | first=Ben | title=''The Simpsons'': 10 Best Homer & Lisa Episodes | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=May 9, 2021 | url=https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-best-homer-lisa-episodes/ | access-date=February 12, 2025}}</ref><ref name="m888">{{cite web | last=Tyler | first=Adrienne | title=''The Simpsons''{{'}} Original Lisa Plan Would've Been Much Worse | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=April 19, 2021 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-lisa-original-plan-bart-similar-idea-bad/ | access-date=February 12, 2025}}</ref> The episode "[[And Maggie Makes Three]]" ([[The Simpsons season 6|season six]], 1995) reveals she is the main reason Homer took and continues to work at his regular job.<ref name="Beauty">{{cite episode |title=And Maggie Makes Three |episode-link=And Maggie Makes Three |series=The Simpsons |credits=[[Jennifer Crittenden|Crittenden, Jennifer]] (writer); [[Swinton O. Scott III|Scott, Swinton]] (director) |network=Fox |airdate=January 22, 1995 |season=6 |number=13}}</ref> While Homer's thoughtless antics often frustrate his family, he has proven himself to be a loving husband;<ref name="a424">{{cite web | last=Heritage | first=Stuart | title='A woman trapped in an impossibly unhappy marriage': should Marge divorce Homer? | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=July 12, 2021 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/jul/12/should-marge-divorce-homer | access-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref><ref name="z696">{{cite web | last=Alfar | first=Ramon Paolo Zabala | title=The Simpsons: Why Homer Got Worse And Worse | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=September 14, 2020 | url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-ways-homer-got-worse-unlikable/ | access-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref> for instance, in "[[A Milhouse Divided]]" ([[The Simpsons season 8|season eight]], 1996), Homer arranged a surprise second wedding with Marge to make up for their unsatisfactory first ceremony.<ref>{{cite episode|title=A Milhouse Divided|episode-link=A Milhouse Divided|series=The Simpsons|credits=[[Steven Dean Moore|Moore, Steven Dean]]; [[Steve Tompkins|Tompkins, Steve]]|network=Fox|airdate=December 1, 1996|season=08|number=06}}</ref> He has a strained relationship with his father, [[Grampa Simpson|Abraham "Grampa" Simpson]], and Homer quickly placed him in a nursing home.<ref name="l383">{{cite web | last=Littlechild | first=Chris | title=The Simpsons: 10 Worst Things Grandpa Simpson Ever Did To Homer | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=July 21, 2020 | url=https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-worst-things-grandpa-simpson-ever-did-to-homer/ | access-date=March 22, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode |title=Lisa's First Word |episode-link=Lisa's First Word |series=[[The Simpsons]] |credits=[[Jeff Martin (writer)|Martin, Jeff]] (writer); [[Mark Kirkland|Kirkland, Mark]] (director) |network=Fox |airdate=December 3, 1992 |season=4 |number=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode |title=Old Money |episode-link=Old Money (The Simpsons) |series=[[The Simpsons]]|credits=[[Jay Kogen|Kogen, Jay]] (writer); [[Wallace Wolodarsky|Wolodarsky, Wallace]] (writer); [[David Silverman (animator)|Silverman, David]] (director)|network=Fox |airdate=March 28, 1991 |season=2 |number=17}}</ref>

Homer was described by ''[[The Times]]'' as "a (happy) slave to his various appetites".<ref name="m982">{{cite web | title=Who's the Daddy? | url-access=subscription | website=[[The Times]] | date=August 28, 2004 | url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/whos-the-daddy-85d9hwf69qt | access-date=February 16, 2025}}</ref> He known for his consistent ignorance, forgetfulness, and general stupidity.<ref name="z777">{{cite web | last=Costandi | first=Mo | title=The Homer Simpson effect: forgetting to remember | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=April 24, 2015 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/neurophilosophy/2015/apr/24/the-homer-simpson-effect-forgetting-to-remember | access-date=February 16, 2025}}</ref>{{sfn|Nodelman|2008|p=50}} Homer's low [[intelligence quotient]] (IQ) of 55{{sfn|Fink|2019|p=55}} has been attributed to several factors, including the hereditary "[[Simpson gene]]" (which causes male family members to become increasingly stupid over time){{sfn|Irwin|Conard|Skoble|2010|p=}} and a crayon lodged in his brain's [[frontal lobe]].{{sfn|Brown|Logan|2009|pp=51–53}} In the episode "[[HOMR]]" ([[The Simpsons season 12|season 12]], 2001), Homer has the crayon removed, temporarily raising his IQ to 105.{{sfn|MacPherson|Sala|Cox|Girardi|2015|p=5}}{{sfn|Fink|2019|p=55}} This improvement allows him to bond with Lisa, but his newfound intelligence ultimately makes him unhappy, leading him to have the crayon reinserted.<ref name="HOMR">{{cite episode |title=HOMR |episode-link=HOMR |series=The Simpsons |series-link=The Simpsons|credits=[[Al Jean|Jean, Al]] (writer); [[Mike B. Anderson|Anderson, Mike B.]] (director)|network=Fox |airdate=January 7, 2001 |season=12 |number=9}}</ref> In 2015, it was revealed that Homer has [[narcolepsy]], a sleep disorder.<ref name="g376">{{cite web | first=Carina | last=Storrs | title=It's not just the Duff making Homer Simpson sleepy – he has narcolepsy | website=[[CNN]] | date=September 25, 2015 | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/25/health/narcolepsy-homer-simpson/index.html | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>

Producer [[Mike Reiss]] said Homer was his favorite ''Simpsons'' character to write: "Homer's just a comedy writer's dream. He has everything wrong with him, every comedy trope. He's fat and bald and stupid and lazy and angry and an alcoholic. I'm pretty sure he embodies all [[seven deadly sins]]".<ref name="wpr" /> [[John Swartzwelder]], who wrote 60 episodes, said he wrote Homer as if he were "a big talking dog ... One moment he's the saddest man in the world, because he's just lost his job, or dropped his sandwich, or accidentally killed his family. Then, the next moment, he's the happiest man in the world, because he's just found a penny — maybe under one of his dead family members ... If you write him as a dog you'll never go wrong".<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|last=Sacks|first=Mike|title=John Swartzwelder, sage of ''The Simpsons''|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/john-swartzwelder-sage-of-the-simpsons|access-date=2021-05-02|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|date=May 2, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> Reiss felt this was insightful, saying: "Homer is just pure emotion, no long-term memory, everything is instant gratification. And, you know, has good dog qualities, too. I think, loyalty, friendliness, and just kind of continuous optimism".<ref name="wpr">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wpr.org/longtime-showrunner-writer-goes-behind-scenes-simpsons|title=Longtime Showrunner, Writer Goes Behind the Scenes of ''The Simpsons''|last=Gordon|first=Doug|date=August 8, 2018|publisher=[[Wisconsin Public Radio]]|access-date=January 7, 2020}}</ref>