For 35 years, The Simpsons has featured virtually every A-list celebrity imaginable. Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr—three Beatles. Three Star Trek captains. Every SNL alum worth naming. The show’s “bucket list” status means celebrities call agents, beg for appearances. “They know of the impact, the influence… the writing is so darn good,” as one interviewer noted.
The Mystery Star
Matt Selman, showrunner since 2021, confirmed in September 2024: “There is one celebrity guest star the show still wants.” He didn’t name names. Speculation ranges from Beyoncé (music superstar, never appeared) to Dolly Parton (country legend, perfect for Springfield) to Tom Cruise (action icon, surprisingly never cameoed). The “one star” represents final frontier—cultural figure so massive, so selective, that even Simpsons hasn’t cracked them.
Recent Appearances
Season 36 premiere “Bart’s Birthday” featured Tom Hanks (second cameo after The Simpsons Movie), Conan O’Brien (former writer, now appearing as himself), John Cena, and Danny DeVito. Kelsey Grammer returns as Sideshow Bob in Disney+ short “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”—introducing “five or six year olds to The Simpsons, then by eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, it’s their favorite show.”
Why Celebrities Beg
Participation is “new high point in their careers,” even for Oscar winners. Simpsons episodes are eternal—syndication, streaming, memes. A cameo validates artistic credibility. The show’s 36-season accumulation of wit, reference, and heart remains unmatched.
Will They Get the Star?
Selman’s confidence suggests yes. The “one star” has likely been approached multiple times; persistence pays—Paul McCartney said no for years, finally appeared in 1995. When revealed, it will generate headlines, validate continued relevance, and close the “most wanted” loop. Until then, the mystery itself is marketing.
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