Hank Scorpio: the Simpsons' supervillain

CharacterHank Scorpio

Warm, anti-hierarchy, attentive: Homer's best boss also runs an international criminal organization out of Cypress Creek. Here is the profile of the head of Globex, seen in the single episode "You Only Move Twice" (1996), modeled on the James Bond villain archetype and not on Richard Branson, right down to the closing credits pastiching the franchise. The parting gift to Homer — the Denver Broncos when he was dreaming of the Dallas Cowboys — is explained. Albert Brooks largely improvised his lines. All of it to understand how a fleeting character becomes cult.

The best boss Homer ever had is also a supervillain who dreams of world domination. Hank Scorpio is one of the most cult one-episode characters in The Simpsons.

Warm, laid-back… and formidable: this perfect James Bond-style antagonist owes a great deal to his actor's improvisation. Here is his profile.

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Who is Hank Scorpio?

Hank Scorpio is Homer's boss at the Globex Corporation, a high-tech company set up in the brand-new town of Cypress Creek. He appears in a single episode, "You Only Move Twice" (1996). But behind the façade of a model company hides an international criminal organization.

🖱️ Behind the high-tech façade of the Globex Corporation, in Cypress Creek, hides an international criminal organization; on your own desk, your mouse simply glides over our Simpsons mouse pads, with no secret lair underneath.

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Homer's dream boss

Everything sets Scorpio apart from Mr. Burns: where the old billionaire is icy and contemptuous, Scorpio is warm, anti-hierarchy and attentive. He encourages Homer, trusts him with responsibility and finally makes him happy at work. He is, literally, Homer's best boss — and Homer will never suspect his true nature.

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A James Bond-style supervillain

Because Scorpio is in fact a supervillain straight out of a James Bond film — in the Blofeld line, at the head of his secret lair and his henchmen. Contrary to a persistent belief, the character is not based on Richard Branson: it really is the 007 villain archetype that served as the model, right down to the closing credits pastiching the franchise.

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The Denver Broncos gag

The tastiest gag closes the episode. As a parting gift, Scorpio gives Homer… a football team. But beware the misreading: Homer was dreaming of the Dallas Cowboys (the reigning champions) and instead inherits, crestfallen, the Denver Broncos. It is precisely that half-disappointment that makes the scene.

🏈 Homer dreamed of the Dallas Cowboys and had to settle for the Denver Broncos; up in the stands, you at least get to pick the colors you wear around your neck with our Simpsons neck warmers.

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Scorpio's voice

In the original version, Scorpio is played by Albert Brooks, who largely improvised his lines — including his famous riff on hammocks. That improvisational work explains the character's very particular charm. On the French side, the part is said to have gone to Patrick Guillemin, a recurring voice on the show.

🏖️ Hammocks got their very own riff, improvised by Albert Brooks; for your own nap in the sun, no need to hang one up: our Simpsons beach towels roll out right on the sand.

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Summary table

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FAQ

• Who is Hank Scorpio?
  Homer's boss at Globex, a James Bond-style supervillain who turns out to be the best boss Homer ever had.
• Which episode does he appear in?
  Only in "You Only Move Twice" (1996); he is one of the best-loved one-episode characters in the show.
• Is Scorpio based on Richard Branson?
  No, that is a widespread belief: the acknowledged model is the James Bond villain archetype.
• Which team does he give Homer?
  The Denver Broncos — while Homer was dreaming of the Dallas Cowboys, hence the gag.

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Conclusion

Brilliant, unpredictable and diabolically likeable, Hank Scorpio proves that a one-episode character can leave a mark forever. The perfect boss… provided you look past his world-domination plans.

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