In a surprising turn of events, the long-running animated series ‘The Simpsons’ bid farewell to a beloved background character in its latest episode, ‘Cremains of the Day.’ Larry the Barfly, a silent mainstay at Moe’s Tavern since the show’s premiere episode, ‘Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire’ (1989), has met his untimely demise.
Voiced by the prolific Harry Shearer (Mr Burns, Ned Flanders, Waylon Smithers), Larry’s death has left Homer and his usual crew at Moe’s confronting the unexpected absence of their enigmatic peer. The episode, the 765th in the series’ history, even sheds light on Larry’s previously unknown full name: Lawrence Dalrymple, as reported by The Independent.
Social media has been awash with a wave of mourning from fans, expressing a newfound appreciation for this previously under-the-radar character whose quiet presence held a unique appeal. One Twitter user wrote, ‘Just learned they are killing off Larry on The Simpsons tomorrow. I need a minute.’ Another user commented, ‘I can’t believe they killed off Larry Dalrymple on The Simpsons last night.’
Some fans even admitted to being unaware of Larry’s name before this episode, with one person tweeting: ‘I’m over 30 and younger than 40..been watching The Simpsons all my life and just discovered the name of the guy that sits in the bar is named Larry.’
The Simpsons has been known for its memorable cast of characters, both major and minor. Larry’s demise marks the departure of a character who, despite his lack of dialogue, had become a recognizable and beloved part of the show’s fabric. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by fans and his fellow characters alike.
