Nancy Cartwright, voice of “The Simpsons” character Bart Simpson, addressed Ohio State students with animated discourse and cartoon voices at the Ohio Union Sunday evening amid the fanfare befitting the voice of an American pop-culture icon.
OSU students and “Simpsons” fans flocked to the event and waited inside the Ohio Union Ballroom with child-like nervous energy inspiring enthusiastic chatter on topics such as favorite “Simpsons” episodes and quotes, whether there will be a “Simpsons” movie and speculations about the location of the elusive town of Springfield.
“I’m very excited,” said Mike Emindola, a freshman in mechanical engineering, before the presentation. “I’ve watched ‘The Simpsons’ since the first episodes came out and I’ve watched every episode since then.”
The presentation began with a montage of clips of Cartwright’s characters on “The Simpsons” along with a behind-the-scenes look and commentary. Laughter erupted at the familiar dialogue of Bart Simpson, Ralph Wiggum, Nelson Muntz, Kearney and Rod and Todd Flanders, all of whom Cartwright provides the voices for on the show.
The 5-foot-tall blonde actress took the stage and immediately engaged the audience with her delightfully impish personality.
“I’m 4-and-a-half times his age, I have pink cheeks, I don’t have nine spikes on my head, but I am Bart Simpson,” Cartwright said.
After laughing as Bart Simpson into the microphone she said, “That’s all I have on my voice mail – that laugh.”
Soon afterward she threw bite-size Butterfinger candy bars into the audience.
Cartwright spoke candidly about growing up in a town like Springfield, discovering and developing her talent and taking chances to follow her dreams. She also offered some advice to students.
“This is a pivotal time in your career and I found something that I really love and I encourage you to do the same,” Cartwright said. “Some kids got to a university because your dad was part of the fraternity or because your mom wants you to be a doctor, but say you are a musician or an artist or really like to do something else. Do what you love, do your passion, do what turns you on.”
Cartwright also spoke about what it is like being Bart Simpson.
“It’s terrific because there’s this anonymity – I have a separation. I’m on the exterior to that life,” Cartwright said. “I love it, I love being the voice of Bart Simpson, because it’s such a great show to be on – it’s arguably the best show ever on television.”
Technical difficulties plagued the audio-visual portion of the show, requiring at one point for Cartwright to do a voice-over of her own montage, complete with sound effects.
Cartwright said speaking with college students is important to her.
“I really dig it because I was a college student when I was just figuring out what I wanted to do,” Cartwright said. “I want to encourage all young people to pursue their passion, to pursue their dreams.”
Alex Sawyers, a senior in international studies and winner of a “Simpsons” trivia contest during the show, said “The Simpsons” is not just entertainment but also has serious social commentary.
“It’s a nice break from a busy day, but there’s some seriousness to it. That’s one reason it’s been so successful – people can learn from it,” Sawyers said.
As far as the possibility of a “Simpsons” movie, Cartwright said, “If Fox can make a dime on it, they’ll do it.”
Cartwright said she was born and raised in Kettering, a suburb just south of Dayton. After high school, Cartwright attended Ohio University for two years on a scholarship for the speech team before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles to be closer to her mentor, the famous voice actor Daws Butler.
Cartwright originally auditioned for the voice of Lisa Simpson, receiving instead the part of Bart Simpson.
In 1987 “The Simpsons” aired as a cartoon short in “The Tracy Ullman Show” and became a series in 1989. “The Simpsons” started its 17th season this fall and is the longest running comedy show currently on television.
According to her Web site, Cartwright has been the voice of characters in numerous other cartoons including “Richie Rich,” “The Snorks,” “Pound Puppies,” “The Critic,” “Rugrats” and “Kim Possible.”
She has appeared in television and film and is the author of the best-selling autobiography “My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy”.
Cartwright has received an Emmy Award and Annie Award for her work as Bart Simpson and Daytime Emmy Awards honors and nominations for her work in children’s cartoons. In her hometown of Kettering, Nov. 2 is Nancy Cartwright Day.
The event was presented by the Ohio Union Activities Board and paid for by the Student Activity Fees.
Jake McKim, lectures chairperson of the OUAB, an undecided junior, said it was a multimedia presentation that came out of brainstorming session a few months ago.
“We plan a lot of events like this.” McKim said. “Thankfully this is one that worked out. It’s a popular show – pretty much everybody at OSU grew up with ‘The Simpsons.'”
