Incredible story behind Michael Jackson's iconic Simpsons cameo

Michael Jackson's character on The Simpsons. Photo / Instagram

The Simpsons creator Matt Groening has confirmed a longstanding fan theory about the show 26 years after the fact.

For decades, fans were sure Michael Jackson voiced a character on the show in an episode called Stark Raving Dad, though he wasn't credited. On what would have been the King of Pop's 60th birthday, Matt appeared on The Weekly to confirm that he had, in fact, been on the show.

"You don't have to put it in quotes," he said. "We really did have him."

The role was uncredited at Michael's request. Showrunners also had to bring in sound-alikes to do singing parts due to a clause in the Thriller singer's recording contract.

"He didn't want credit for it, or there was some kind of deal with his record company or whatever, so when it came time to sing the songs, he had a sound-alike singer," Matt revealed.

"He stood there and watched the guy, who was so nervous, who had to sound like Michael Jackson, and then he giggled."

Michael's character on the show was a balding patient in a psychiatric ward whom Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta) encountered.

More Simpsons Cameos

Michael Jackson isn't the only popular star who's voiced a character on The Simpsons. In fact, the show is notorious for inviting well-known people to be a part of the show.

Legendary musician Ringo Starr was featured in a season two episode of The Simpsons called Brush With Greatness. In it, he played himself.

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The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Spinal Tap, Smashing Pumpkins, Cypress Hill, Sonic Youth, Peter Frampton, The Ramones, Johnny Cash, Metallica, Weird Al Yankovic, Barry White and other popular musicians have voiced characters on the show throughout it's time on the air.

Other noteworthy guests include Stephen Hawking, Elizabeth Taylor, Jon Lovitz, Gillan Anderson and David Duchovny, Stan Lee, Kelsey Grammar, Jon Stewart, George Takai, Ricky Gervais and more have taken part in The Simpsons as well.