We Clear the Air with Hank Azaria: The Impressions Behind the Voice

Summary

Hank Azaria, the voice behind many of The Simpsons’ iconic characters, joins us for an interview where he addresses rumors about his health status in relation to Parkinson’s disease, and shares insights into his personal and professional life, and everything in between. He discusses his varied roles in film and TV, including a new podcast, as well as his experience with languages, ethnicity, drinking habits, and singing.

Table of Contents

• The correct pronunciation of Hank Azaria’s name
• The characters Hank voices on The Simpsons and their inspirations
• Hank’s reaction to rumors about having Parkinson’s disease
• Hank’s work outside The Simpsons, including his new podcast
• Hank’s singing skills and language abilities
• Hank’s personal life and interests
• Conclusion

Introduction

Hank Azaria is undoubtedly a legend in the world of voice acting. He has lent his talents to an array of characters in various TV shows and animated films. While most people recognize him as the voice behind The Simpsons’ beloved characters, such as Moe, Apu, Chief Wiggum, and Comic Book Guy, Hank’s contributions to the entertainment industry go beyond the world of Springfield.

We caught up with Hank Azaria to chat about his life and work, and to clear the air regarding rumors about his health status. Let’s dive into our Q&A session!

Q&A

The correct pronunciation of Hank Azaria’s name

Q: How do you pronounce your name?

Hank Azaria: It’s “Aaah zair-ee-uh.” A lot of people pronounce it like “Az-uh-ree-uh,” or “Az-uh-raya.” It’s ok, though, People kinda botch it all the time.

The characters Hank voices on The Simpsons and their inspirations

Q: Who among the characters you voice do you relate to the most?

Hank Azaria: Each character I do usually represents kind of an aspect of myself. I relate to most of them in some way or another. Moe, for instance, represents my darker impulses; Wiggum, my inner idiot; Apu, my work ethic, I guess. And Comic Book Guy is my inner nerd.

Q: How do you come up with the character voices?

Hank Azaria: A lot of it comes from my childhood love of mimicry. I’m also aware of the rhythms of voices and familiar with different dialects from various ethnicities. For Apu, for example, I was inspired by the many Indian people that I knew in college. It’s always about finding that kernel of truth.

Hank’s reaction to rumors about having Parkinson’s disease

Q: There have been rumors that you have Parkinson’s disease. Can you clarify the rumors and reassure your fans that you do not have the disease?

Hank Azaria: Yeah, I don’t know where it started, but I don’t have Parkinson’s. I don’t have any kind of shaking or lack of equilibrium. Someone approached me who had it and that is probably where it came from. But I guess I wear my anxiety on my sleeve sometimes.

Hank’s work outside The Simpsons, including his new podcast

Q: You are a versatile actor and have worked on numerous shows outside The Simpsons. Can you talk about one of your notable roles in different TV shows?

Hank Azaria: Yeah, one that stands out is my part on Friends. I played David, Phoebe’s scientist boyfriend from Minsk. I had a great time on that show; they were a fun group to work with. I also have a new show called Brockmire that just concluded its fourth and final season. It’s a totally different kind of show than The Simpsons, but it’s something I’m quite proud of.

Q: Tell us a bit about your new podcast.

Hank Azaria: It’s called “The Problem with Hank Azaria.” It features conversations about big topics like race, ethnicity, identity, and the role of voices in society. We tackle issues like the legacy of Apu and problematic casting choices throughout history. It’s been fun and interesting and challenging all at the same time.

Hank’s singing skills and language abilities

Q: You have a beautiful singing voice as well. Can we expect more singing from you in future performances?

Hank Azaria: Oh, thank you. I’m always look for an excuse to sing. Actually, I started out wanting to be a musical theatre actor. I did a production of Spamalot on Broadway and I always jump at the opportunity to do more singing. It’s something I just love to do.

Q: It’s incredible how you incorporate so many different accents into your voice acting. Do you speak any other languages?

Hank Azaria: Not fluently, but I know enough to get by. I speak a little bit of Spanish. I learned it in high school and college.

Hank’s personal life and interests

Q: Can you tell us a little about your ethnicity?

Hank Azaria: My family origin is Sephardic Jewish; my grandparents came from Greece and Spain. I grew up with some of those traditions but not heavily so.

Q: What are the best and worst things about working in the entertainment industry?

Hank Azaria: The best part, of course, is being able to make a living doing something that I love. There is no down time or chance to switch off as everything is non-stop at high speed. That can be exhausting.

Q: We read that you quit drinking a few years ago. How has that affected how you approach social situations?

Hank Azaria: It has affected my approach only in the sense that I don’t drink or have the urge to drink anymore. I didn’t make a grand statement or anything. I was just talking to a friend who doesn’t drink, and he said it had improved his life on so many levels. I quit right after that conversation, and it has been great for me.

Conclusion

Hank Azaria’s interviews always offer some moment of enlightenment or entertainment, whether it’s about his work, personal life, or great advice. It’s pretty clear that he’s much more than just a voice actor on The Simpsons. Regardless of what the future holds in store for Hank, we will very much continue to marvel at his performance and the variety of roles he plays.