Milhouse Van Houten is one of the most iconic characters from the long-running animated sitcom, The Simpsons. He is best known for his awkward and nerdy demeanor, as well as his unrequited love for his classmate, Lisa Simpson. This blog post will explore various aspects of Milhouse’s character, including his quotes, hobbies, parents, and more. We’ll also delve into the development of Milhouse, including any real-life inspirations for his character or appearance. So, whether you’re a die-hard Simpsons fan or just a casual viewer, join us as we take a closer look at the lovable Milhouse Van Houten.
Development Of Milhouse
Milhouse Van Houten was created by The Simpsons’ writers as a best friend for Bart Simpson. According to creator Matt Groening, Milhouse’s name was inspired by Richard Nixon’s middle name, Milhous. Milhouse’s overall appearance was designed by character artist Wes Archer, who gave him a distinctive blue hairstyle and thick round glasses that can only be described as very “Nerdy”. His clothing choices are kept simple with him almost always wearing a light purple top and either red or blue pants/shorts.
In terms of design, Milhouse’s round glasses are perhaps his most distinctive feature. They were inspired by the glasses worn by Groening’s childhood friend, who also served as an inspiration for the character albeit loosely. Another notable feature about Milhouse would be his rather large nose that takes up most of his face.
Besides being inspired by various real-life friends of the show’s creators, Milhouse also is an exaggerated caricature of a typical nerdy sidekick of classic 80’s television family sitcoms. You can look to characters like “Boner” from the hit series Growing Pains or Paul Pfeiffer from The Wonder Years as the closest source of inspiration.
Overall, Milhouse’s appearance and personality have become beloved by fans, and he continues to be a staple character on the show.
The Voice Milhouse
Milhouse’s voice is best described as nasally and high-pitched, with a slightly whiny quality to it. This is fitting for the character, as it emphasizes his awkwardness and adds to the comedic effect of his lines.
Pamela Hayden is the voice actor behind the character of Milhouse Van Houten from the Simpsons. Hayden was born in the United States and began her career in voice acting in the early 1980s. She has lent her voice to a number of animated shows and films, over the years including Pinky and the Brain, and Hey Arnold!
Hayden first joined the cast of The Simpsons in its second season and has since become a regular voice actor on the show. In addition to voicing Milhouse, she is also the voice behind other characters such as Jimbo Jones, Rod Flanders, Janey Powell, and many other secondary characters. Hayden’s distinctive voice perfectly captures Milhouse’s nerdy and awkward personality, adding to the character’s charm and appeal.
Milhouse’s voice has become an integral part of the character’s identity, and it would be hard to imagine Milhouse with any other voice.
Friends and Relationships
Milhouse’s main friendship is between him and Bart and it is one of the most enduring aspects of The Simpsons. Although the two characters have their differences, they have remained close friends throughout the series. Their friendship is often depicted as one of strong contrasts: Bart is the rebel troublemaker, while Milhouse is the weak and nerdy one.
Their friendship is beloved by fans of the show for a number of reasons but the main one is that it is a classic example of the underdog and the rebel joining forces. Bart and Milhouse are a perfect complement to each other, with their contrasting personalities and strengths. Their friendship certainly can serve as a reminder that even those who seem very different on the surface can find common ground and become close friends.
Pursuit of Lisa
Milhouse’s unreturned love for Lisa has been a recurring theme throughout The Simpsons franchise. Despite his best efforts, poor Milhouse has never been able to win Lisa’s heart.
Their relationship or friendship is often portrayed as one-sided, with Milhouse chasing after Lisa while she remains oblivious to his affections. This unrequited love has been the source of many comedic moments throughout the series. In one episode, “Lisa’s Date with Density,” Lisa actually tells Milhouse that she likes him but not in that way. She likes him in more of a “big sister” type of way. This of course sends Milhouse into a fit questioning way everyone keeps telling him that.
In some episodes, Lisa shows a genuine fondness for Milhouse, but it never quite translates into romantic feelings. Milhouse, meanwhile, continues to hold out hope for a future with Lisa. Despite the fact that their relationship has never gone beyond friendship, fans continue to root for Milhouse and that one day Lisa will come around to his clumsy albeit charming personality.
Milhouse Quotes
What makes Milhouse’s quotes so memorable is their relatability. Many viewers see themselves in Milhouse: he’s the outsider, the underdog, the one who never quite fits in. His quotes capture the awkwardness and uncertainty of being a kid, and they remind us that it’s okay to be a little bit weird. Milhouse is known for delivering some of the funniest lines in The Simpsons. His quotes have become so popular that they have even spawned their own memes.
Here is a selection of our favorite Milhouse quotes:
- My Glasses! – anytime Milhouse loses his glasses he shouts that line with shear panic
- I Say Radical! That’s A Thing That I Say
- Is This The Untimely End Of Milhouse
- Everything is coming up Milhouse – whenever things are going Milhouse’s way
- This is Great! And I’ll I’ve done is enter my name, Thrillhouse!
- But My Mom Says I’m Cool
Milhouse’s quotes continue to make Simpsons fans laugh decades after they were first uttered. Whether he’s lamenting his lack of popularity or waxing poetic about his love for Lisa, Milhouse’s quotes are a testament to the show’s enduring humor and charm.
Role In The Simpsons Movie
The Simpsons Movie was released in 2007 and was the first feature-length film based on the popular animated television series. The plot centers around Homer Simpson, who unwittingly causes a catastrophic environmental disaster that forces his family to flee from Springfield. Along the way, they encounter a number of familiar faces, including Milhouse, who plays a small but memorable role in the film.
In his main scene, he gets beat up by who else, Nelson, as he sells out his beliefs about global warming in order to avoid a beating. Of course, Nelson punches him anyways which leads to Lisa briefly comforting him.
It was surprising to see Milhouse have such a small role in the movie as he is one of the bigger secondary characters in the franchise but I guess they only had so much time to devote to the hundreds of Simpsons characters.
You can rent or buy The Simpsons Movie on Amazon.
Milhouse Related Gifts
Milhouse’s popularity among fans of The Simpsons has paved the way for a wide variety of merchandise and gifts featuring his likeness. From t-shirts and figurines to coffee mugs and keychains, there are countless ways for fans to show their love for this lovable character. In this section, we’ll take a look at some of the best Milhouse-related gifts and merchandise available.
Love all the Simpson characters? Well then head over to our Simpsons Gift Ideas post for many more cool items.
Milhouse Lego Figure
This LEGO set is a great gift for fans of The Simpsons and building with LEGO bricks. It includes a limited edition Milhouse minifig and a Biclops Comic piece, making it a cool addition to the LEGO Simpsons collection.
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Milhouse Funko Pop
Funko Pop dolls are always a top gift or collectible item and this Milhouse Funko Pop is no different. It features a sad-looking Milhouse with an ice cream cone that has dropped all over his shoe. Funko Pop #765
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Milhouse Mug
Looking for a funny and unique Milhouse gift? Check out this ceramic coffee mug with the hilarious phrase “Everything’s Coming Up Milhouse!” printed on it.
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