Nancy Cartwright has always stood out as a unique talent in the world of voice acting, and her journey to fame is one that truly highlights her dedication. Nancy Cartwright, widely celebrated for her iconic role as Bart Simpson on the long-running Fox animated series The Simpsons (1990– ), never actually appeared on screen—yet her voice became instantly recognizable around the world. Before The Simpsons took off, Nancy Cartwright lent her vocal talents to earlier shorts featured on The Tracey Ullman Show (Fox, 1987–90), where Bart first made his debut. Even though audiences didn’t see her face, the impact of Nancy Cartwright’s performance was undeniable.
From a young age, Nancy Cartwright knew she had a special gift when it came to using her voice. Her early experiences at a radio station in Ohio gave her the chance to explore those abilities more seriously. It was there that someone noticed her potential and suggested she look into animation work. One key name that kept coming up during her research was Daws Butler—a legendary figure in voice acting known for bringing characters like Elroy Jetson to life. Motivated by ambition, Nancy Cartwright didn’t hesitate. She reached out directly to Butler and even made the bold move of transferring to UCLA so she could be closer to his home in Beverly Hills. Under his mentorship, Nancy Cartwright refined her vocal techniques and began shaping her professional path.
Together, they created a demo reel that would become her ticket into the industry. Thanks to that collaboration, Nancy Cartwright landed her first major role voicing Gloria, Richie’s girlfriend, on The Richie Rich Show (ABC, 1980–82). That opportunity opened many doors. Soon after, Nancy Cartwright was adding voices to a variety of popular animated series such as Snorks (NBC, 1984–86), Galaxy High School (CBS, 1986–88), and Pound Puppies (ABC, 1986). Her vocal range also brought depth to several animated films, including My Little Pony (1986), The Chipmunk Adventure (1987), Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1990), and even Disney’s beloved classic The Little Mermaid (1989).
Throughout it all, Nancy Cartwright continued building an impressive body of work—all without ever needing to step in front of a camera.
When it comes to Nancy Cartwright’s filmography, one standout moment is definitely In Search of Fellini (2016), which happens to be her highest rated movie. Nancy Cartwright really brought her talent to the forefront in that role, earning strong praise from both critics and audiences alike. On the other end of the spectrum, Nancy Cartwright appeared in Borrego (2022), a film that didn’t quite resonate as well and ended up being her lowest rated to date. While Nancy Cartwright has had a varied career, these two films mark the high and low points in terms of critical reception. Nancy Cartwright continues to take on diverse roles, showing her range beyond just voice acting.