Nancy Cartwright

Nancy Cartwright is an American actress and voice actress whose name is inseparable from the most iconic animated troublemaker on television: Bart Simpson. For more than three decades she has supplied the voice of the spiky-haired fourth grader on The Simpsons, a role that has earned her a Primetime Emmy Award, an Annie Award, and a permanent place in pop culture history. But her range goes far beyond Springfield: she has voiced Chuckie Finster in Rugrats, Rufus in Kim Possible, and dozens of other beloved characters across animation.

Cartwright's distinctive voice and comedic timing have made her one of the most recognizable performers in the industry, even though her face is rarely seen. She is also a producer and author, having written the memoir My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy and produced the film In Search of Fellini. As of 2026, she continues to record new episodes of The Simpsons and hosts the podcast Simpsons Declassified, keeping her connected to a fan base that spans generations. [edit]

Nancy Jean Cartwright was born on October 25, 1957, in Dayton, Ohio, and grew up in the nearby town of Kettering. She was the daughter of a mechanical engineer and a homemaker, and she showed an early talent for mimicry, entertaining her family with impressions of relatives and characters from TV. Her mother encouraged her to take elocution lessons, which helped her control her voice and develop the vocal flexibility that would later define her career.

After graduating from Fairmont East High School in 1975, Cartwright briefly attended Ohio University before transferring to UCLA, where she studied acting. In 1978, she moved to Hollywood and began studying under Daws Butler, the legendary voice actor known for Yogi Bear and Huckleberry Hound. Butler became her mentor and taught her the craft of voice acting, a relationship that would profoundly shape her future. She made her professional debut in the early 1980s, voicing Gloria in Richie Rich and landing a small role in the TV movie Marian Rose White in 1982. Her feature film debut came in 1983 with Twilight Zone: The Movie, but it was her work in animation that would set her apart. In 1987, while auditioning for The Tracey Ullman Show, she was handed a script for a series of animated shorts. She had planned to try out for Lisa Simpson, but upon reading the lines, she found herself drawn to the mischievous Bart. Creator Matt Groening was so impressed that he offered her the role on the spot, setting the stage for a career that would change television history. [edit]

The breakthrough came in 1989 when The Simpsons expanded from shorts to a half-hour series on Fox. Cartwright's portrayal of Bart Simpson quickly became a cultural phenomenon, with the character's catchphrases like "Ay, caramba!" and "Eat my shorts" entering the lexicon. Her work earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance in 1992 and an Annie Award for Best Voice Acting, cementing her as a pioneer in the field.

Beyond Springfield, Cartwright expanded her voice resume throughout the 1990s and 2000s. She took over the role of Chuckie Finster in Rugrats and its sequel All Grown Up!, voiced Daffney Gillfin in Snorks, Mindy in Animaniacs, and Pistol in Disney's Goof Troop. In 2000, she published her autobiography My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy, which she later adapted into a one-woman stage show. She also wrote and produced the 2017 film In Search of Fellini, a passion project about a young woman's journey to meet the director. As of 2026, she continues to voice Bart Simpson and hosts the podcast Simpsons Declassified, where she discusses episodes and behind-the-scenes stories with fans. [edit]

Nancy Cartwright is widely recognized as the voice of Bart Simpson, a character whose rebellious spirit has resonated with audiences for over three decades. Her ability to embody a 10-year-old boy's voice as an adult woman has made her a legend in the voice-acting community. Fans often associate her with the character so strongly that they are surprised to see her in person, a fact she embraces with humor. She is known for her warm and enthusiastic interactions with fans at conventions and on social media, where she often shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of her work. Her public persona is that of a down-to-earth professional who takes great pride in her craft and in the joy her characters bring to millions. [edit]

Nancy Cartwright commands a global stage where millions of viewers tune in weekly to watch the chaos she orchestrates from behind a microphone. Her voice defines an era of animation, yet her specific standing in the broader celebrity ecosystem remains distinct from the show itself. iFANN has evaluated her profile and determined that she is currently not ranked within the Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific top-100 lists. While she lacks a formal numeric placement in the published rankings, her cultural footprint ensures she remains a household name across generations. The fanbase surrounding her work does not carry a unique, documented name; instead, her supporters are integrated into the massive, sprawling community of *The Simpsons* enthusiasts who engage with her through conventions, podcasts like *The Simpsons Declassified*, and social media platforms. These fans interact with her primarily as the spirit of Bart Simpson, celebrating her decades-long tenure rather than organizing around a separate identity for the actress herself.[edit]

Nancy Cartwright is a licensed pilot and an avid supporter of the Cincinnati Reds. She openly identifies as a Scientologist, crediting the religion with aiding her career trajectory. In 2019, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, honoring her extensive contributions to animation. Cartwright has voiced Bart Simpson for over 35 years, making her one of the longest-running voice actors in television history, and often slips into the character's voice during everyday conversations. A notable piece of recent lore emerged in August 2026 when she publicly predicted that *The Simpsons* would conclude with Season 40. This commentary on the future of the series was widely covered by entertainment outlets, framing her as a key figure offering industry speculation on the show's longevity. Additionally, she has been noted for her philosophical takes on science and public trust, further cementing her status as more than just a performer but a commentator on cultural shifts.[edit]

Nancy Cartwright was born to Frank and Miriam Cartwright in Dayton, Ohio. She has two brothers, Steve and Mike, and a sister, Jan. Her father worked as a mechanical engineer, and her mother was a homemaker. Cartwright has been married once, to a man named Warren Murphy, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1991. She has two children, a son named Jackson and a daughter named Grace, from that marriage. She has kept her family life relatively private, but she has mentioned that her children are not particularly interested in voicing animation themselves. [edit]

Nancy Cartwright is closely associated with Daws Butler, the legendary voice actor who mentored her and taught her the nuances of the craft. She also shares a long working relationship with Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons, who cast her as Bart after a single audition. Her co-stars on The Simpsons, including Dan Castellaneta and Julie Kavner, have become lifelong friends and collaborators. [edit]

Nancy Cartwright has been relatively private about her romantic life. She was married to Warren Murphy, a businessman, for a few years in the 1980s, and they had two children together before divorcing in 1991. After her divorce, she dated a few people privately but has not been publicly linked to any long-term partners. As of 2026, she is reportedly single and focused on her career and family. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Nancy Cartwright's net worth at $80 million. The bulk of this wealth stems from her iconic role as Bart Simpson, for which she earns a reported $300,000 per episode. With over 700 episodes and counting, that adds up quickly. She also earns residuals from syndication and streaming deals, which continue to generate substantial income. Beyond The Simpsons, her voice work on shows like Rugrats and Kim Possible has contributed to her financial portfolio, along with her work as a producer and author. Cartwright has also made smart real estate investments over the years, including a home in Los Angeles that has appreciated significantly in value.[edit]

Nancy Cartwright has won two major awards for her voice work on The Simpsons: a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance and an Annie Award for Best Voice Acting. These accolades recognize her exceptional talent in bringing Bart Simpson to life, and she remains one of the most celebrated voice actors in the industry. [edit]