‘The Simpsons’ Producer Says Character Death Was Meant to Be Impactful

Moe’s Tavern in The Simpsons is down one patron after the show said goodbye to one of its longtime characters.

Larry “the Barfly” Dalrymple — who was first featured in the 1989 pilot — was killed off in the April 21 episode “Cremains of the Day,” shocking audiences around the U.S. 

While Larry had always played more of a background role in the series, in the latest episode, he became the focus as main character Homer Simpson and his other Moe’s Tavern friends Lenny Leonard, Carl Carlson and Moe Szyslak traveled to Serenity Falls to spread Larry’s ashes after lamenting that they didn’t know that much about him. 

Following the episode, the show’s co-executive producer Tim Long posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Good call by @mattselman to explore how Homer and his friends foresee the afterlife. Poignant and deeply weird! @TheSimpsons.”

Long later told TMZ, in an interview published on April 25, that the death was supposed to feel impactful despite Larry’s few appearances throughout the years, especially since it’s rare for The Simpsons characters to die in the show. 

He also apologized to fans who were upset about Larry’s death on the show, though he noted that it was a testament to how beloved the show is after all this time and how much fans care about all the characters in Springfield — even the ones who aren’t featured as frequently. 

Following the episode, fans took to social media to voice their sadness after the latest episode.

One person wrote on X, “Just learned they are killing off Larry on The Simpsons tomorrow. I need a minute.” Another person shared on the platform, “I just heard Larry the Barfly died. I’m gonna need some time.”

Another said, “One thing about the latest Simpsons episode is that all jokes aside, Larry The Barfly’s life is really f—— sad and tragic.”

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However, some online couldn’t help but point out his limited role in the series, with one person writing on X, “RIP Larry the Barfly – we hardly knew ye.”

Larry “the Barfly” was voiced by Harry Shearer, who also voices other characters in the show including Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns, Reverend Lovejoy and Principal Skinner, according to E! News. So, despite the loss of the Moe’s Tavern character, Shearer still has plenty to do in the voice booth. 

The Simpsons airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.