THE SIMPSONS has retired a longtime character after nearly three decades on the show.

During the January 4 episode, “Seperance,” fans were shocked to learn that Duffman, voiced by Hank Azaria, would be no more.

Illustration of the Simpsons family looking surprised in a dark forest at night.
A longtime character on The Simpsons announced their retirement from the seriesCredit: Alamy
 

Illustration of Duffman with a beer hose and Moe from The Simpsons.
Duffman, voiced by Hank Azaria, revealed his retirement on Sunday’s episodeCredit: Fox
The character, known for his catchphrase “Oh yeah!”, announced his retirement as the mascot and chief spokesperson for Duff Beer.

“The Duff Corporation has, uh, retired that character forever,” Barry said in Sunday’s episode, which was a parody of Apple TV’s Severance.

“All the old forms of advertising are now passé. Corporate spokesmen, print ads, TV spots — today’s kids can’t even sing the jingles.”

At the end of the episode he was seen without his trademark red cape, sunglasses and belt covered in Duff beer cans, and instead, was in civilian clothing.

He also revealed he would be going by Barry Duffman from now on.

Barry was a staple on the show, making his debut in the Season 9 premiere, “The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson,” which aired on September 21, 1997.

Devoted The Simpsons fans expressed their disappointment over the character’s departure on social media.

“End of the era. He shall be missed,” one X user wrote.

“No more ‘Oh yeah!’ echoes through Springfield… we’ll miss you, Duffman,” said another.

“I’LL NEVER FORGIVE THEM,” vowed a third.

“But why though?” wondered a fourth.

“Duffman deserved better than a quiet exit,” remarked a fifth.

However, it is unclear if the whole storyline is a joke with it being a spoof of ‘Severance’.

Hank also voices other characters on the animated series, including Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Superintendent Chalmers, Comic Book Guy, and Snake Jailbird.

However, the Friends actor previously admitted that he “dreaded” playing Barry because of the toll the character’s distinctive voice took on his vocal cords.

“There are certain voices I save, like Duffman will blow me out in a second,” Hank revealed during a May 2020 appearance on Conan.

Illustration of Duffman on a table with Duff Beer cans on his chest, surrounded by six women.
Barry first appeared on the series in the Season 9 premiere, which aired in September 1997Credit: Alamy
“I have to save Duffman for the end, and I actually dread it. Like, ‘Oh no, I got a lot of Duffman to do today.’”

He added that portraying the character “actually does hurt” and that he previously got his vocal cords insured after blowing out his voice while working on the show.

“When you think about the revenue that I’m lucky enough to bring him from doing The Simpsons, that was a long time ago. A lot of money would’ve gone bye-bye if I couldn’t make voices anymore,” Hank said about his decades-long run on the series.

In November, fans were devastated after the show killed off beloved First Church Organist Alice Glick in an episode.

Alice was initially voiced by the late Cloris Leachman, and later by Tress MacNeille, who assumed the role in 2021.

That same week, news broke that The Simpsons writer Dan McGrath passed away after suffering a stroke.

Dan, who previously served as a writer on Saturday Night Live, won an Emmy Award for his work on the iconic 1997 episode, “Homer’s Phobia.”

He was also a writer on King of the Hill for eight seasons.

Illustration of the Simpson family listening to Duffman explain his retirement.
The character was known for his catchphrase, ‘Oh yeah!’Credit: Fox
 

Illustration of the Simpson family watching TV.
The Simpsons has had numerous losses in recent months, including First Church Organist Alice Glick, who was killed off in a November episodeCredit: Alamy