The Simpsons is a Fox Broadcasting Company animated sitcom created by Matt Groening. The Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, is a satirical depiction of American life. The show takes place in the fictitious town of Springfield and mocks American culture and society, television, and the human condition. But did you know that one of the characters in this sitcom was inspired by a former President of the United States?

Milhouse, a Simpsons character, was named after US President Richard Milhous Nixon. The name was the “unfortunate name Matt Groening could come up with for a child.” Milhouse’s middle name was revealed later in the series to be Mussolini.

Who is Milhouse Van Houten?

Milhouse Mussolini Van Houten is a recurring character in Matt Groening’s animated television series The Simpsons, voiced by Pamela Hayden. Milhouse, Bart’s best friend in Mrs. Krabappel’s fourth-grade class at Springfield Elementary School, is insecure, gullible, and less popular than Bart.

Milhouse has Italian, Greek, Danish, and Dutch ancestors, according to comments and characters in the series. He has the same physical characteristics as both of his parents, as well as his father’s main psychological traits. He lacks his mother’s confidence, except when specific storylines demand it.

He is frequently led into trouble by Bart, who takes advantage of his friend’s inexperience, and he is also a favorite target of Nelson Muntz and his friends Jimbo Jones, Dolph Starbeam, and Kearney Zzyzwicz. He also has a crush on Bart’s sister, Lisa, which is frequently used as a plot device in the show. Milhouse and his family are among the few Springfield residents with visible, and rather thick, brows. (Source: Simpsons Fandom)

How Did the Simpsons Introduce Milhouse Van Houten?

After 27 years on primetime television, The Simpsons has given viewers one of the largest character ensembles in fiction, with many Springfield natives being just as important and memorable as the titular family. Take, for example, Bart’s best friend and put-upon cohort Milhouse Van Houten, a Simpson fan favorite who wasn’t even created for The Simpsons. Here’s the true origin story of the bespectacled goober:

For those who aren’t already familiar with the story, this is a two-tiered reveal. But first, is there anything less surprising than Milhouse’s first appearance in the Simpsons universe being accompanied by someone telling him he’s going to die? This is the life of a Van Houten man, where even cheap candy bars are always just out of reach. Milhouse’s appearance in The Simpsons’ 1989 series premiere “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” was likely not the first time Fox viewers saw him, as he was hawking snacks to sweet-toothed kids a full year earlier, in 1988. I recall hearing on one of the DVD sets that the Butterfinger commercial was Milhouse’s true debut, and I recall the commercial airing all those years ago. However, if it was also mentioned at the time that Milhouse was created for a completely different Matt Groening project, I did not keep that information.

David Silverman, The Simpsons Animator, and Director

(Source: Cinema Blend)