Troy McClure: the Simpsons' washed-up actor
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CharacterTroy McClure
A B-movie star reduced to educational films and infomercials, Troy McClure outlives his past glory thanks to one unbeatable line: "You may remember me from such films as…", followed by two absurd titles. This profile dwells on "A Fish Called Selma" (1996), a sham marriage to Marge's sister, then on Phil Hartman, his voice from 1991 to 1998: after the actor's death, production retired the character rather than hand him to someone else. You will see how much a role can owe to a voice.
"Hi, I'm Troy McClure. You may remember me from…" With that line, Springfield's most washed-up actor entered legend.
A fallen star reduced to educational films and dubious infomercials, Troy McClure is one of the funniest — and most moving — supporting characters in the show. Here is his profile.
Contents
Who is Troy McClure?
Troy McClure is a B-movie actor on the way down, a recurring figure in Springfield. His glory days behind him, he gets by hosting educational films and infomercials, each more improbable than the last — the perfect archetype of the fallen star who will do anything to stay on screen.
🔑 Between two educational films, Troy McClure churns out infomercials; a keychain is the classic little promotional giveaway, and our Simpsons keychains put it back to its real job: holding your keys.
A cult opening line
You cannot miss him: Troy McClure always introduces himself with the same line, "Hi, I'm Troy McClure. You may remember me from such films as…", followed by two fictional titles, each more absurd than the last. A running gag that made the character's reputation.
A sham marriage to Selma
His most memorable episode is "A Fish Called Selma" (1996), in which McClure marries Selma Bouvier, Marge's sister, for the sole purpose of restarting his stalled career and silencing the rumors about his private life. A marriage of pure convenience — which he himself admits as much — and one of the character's cult episodes.
💍 Troy McClure only marries Selma Bouvier for show; if you're saying yes for real, put our Simpsons duvet covers on your wedding registry.
Phil Hartman and the character's retirement
In the original version, Troy McClure was played by the great performer Phil Hartman, from 1991 to 1998. Following the actor's death in May 1998, production made the respectful choice to retire the character from the show rather than hand him to another voice — as it did for Hartman's other great role, the lawyer Lionel Hutz. Troy McClure's last speaking appearance, in an episode dedicated to the actor's memory, aired a few months later. In the French version, he was voiced by Patrick Guillemin, then Pierre Laurent.
👔 Phil Hartman's other great role, Lionel Hutz, is a lawyer: to plead your own case at a job interview, our Simpsons ties round off the outfit.
Summary table
| Profile | Details |
|---|---|
| Identity | Troy McClure, a B-movie actor on the way down |
| His catchphrase | "You may remember me from…" |
| Signature episode | "A Fish Called Selma" (sham marriage) |
| Original voice | Phil Hartman (1991-1998) |
| French voice | Patrick Guillemin, then Pierre Laurent |
FAQ
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Who is Troy McClure?A washed-up B-movie actor from Springfield, reduced to hosting educational films and infomercials.
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What is his cult line?"Hi, I'm Troy McClure. You may remember me from such films as…", followed by two absurd titles.
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Why did Troy McClure disappear from the show?Following the death of his voice actor Phil Hartman in 1998, production chose to retire the character as a tribute.
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Did Troy McClure ever marry?Yes, to Selma Bouvier, in a sham marriage meant to restart his career ("A Fish Called Selma").
Conclusion
A ham, pathetic and irresistibly funny, Troy McClure will remain one of Springfield's best-loved characters. His retirement, in tribute to Phil Hartman, is a reminder of just how much a voice can bring a character to life.
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