Despite his early dreams of becoming a stage performer, Hank Azaria found his true calling by transforming a childhood knack for mimicry into a remarkable voice acting career. Best known for his extensive work on the iconic animated series The Simpsons (Fox, 1989–present), Azaria has brought to life a wide array of unforgettable characters, showcasing his incredible vocal versatility. His quirky and distinctive portrayals of figures like Moe the Bartender, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, and Chief Wiggum earned him widespread recognition and opened doors beyond the world of animation.
Azaria’s success in voice-over work paved the way for memorable live-action roles. He delivered a standout performance as a slick 1950s television executive in Quiz Show (1994), followed by a scene-stealing turn as a flamboyant houseboy in The Birdcage (1996), where he held his own against comedy heavyweights Robin Williams and Nathan Lane.
While his role in Godzilla (1998) didn’t quite catapult him into blockbuster stardom, Azaria continued to impress with emotionally resonant performances in television movies like Tuesdays with Morrie (ABC, 1999) and Uprising (NBC, 2001), both of which earned him critical acclaim and awards recognition.
In 2004, Azaria achieved a lifelong dream with a hilarious and triumphant portrayal of the flamboyant Sir Lancelot in the Broadway hit Spamalot, a role that further demonstrated his range as a performer. Yet, even as he expanded his career across different mediums, he remained closely tied to The Simpsons, a role that not only provided stability but also cemented his reputation as one of the most skilled voice actors in the industry.
Throughout his career, Azaria has maintained a strong presence in both film and television. He appeared in a variety of roles, from the biographical drama Lovelace (2013) to playing the villainous Gargamel in The Smurfs (2011) and its sequels. More recently, he starred in the dark comedy series Brockmire (IFC, 2017–present), where he portrayed a fallen-from-grace baseball announcer trying to reclaim his dignity and purpose—yet another role that showcased his depth and comedic timing.
Hank Azaria’s career, marked by both humor and dramatic nuance, reflects his dedication to his craft and his ability to evolve as an artist across multiple platforms.
Hank Azaria has been part of many movies over the years, but one of his standout performances came in the 2001 film Uprising, which is considered his highest-rated movie to date. On the flip side, not all of Hank Azaria’s films received the same level of acclaim. In fact, his lowest-rated film appears to be The Smurfs 2 from 2013, which didn’t quite resonate with audiences the same way some of his other projects did. While Hank Azaria is known for a wide range of roles, these two films represent the highs and lows in terms of critical reception throughout his career.