> At a Glance
> – Duffman retired as Duff Beer mascot in Season 37, episode 13
> – Hank Azaria voices the character, first seen in 1997
> – Character ditched his “Oh yeah!” catchphrase and costume for good
> – Why it matters: Another long-running Springfield favorite exits, following Alice Glick’s permanent death three months ago
Springfield’s most energetic beer pitchman has poured his last on-screen pint. After nearly three decades of cape-twirling, catchphrase-booming promos, Barry Duffman-better known as Duffman-officially retired as the face of Duff Beer in the show’s latest episode.
The Exit
Duffman broke the news to the Simpson family during a doorstep visit. “I have two words to say to you,” he announced, pausing for effect. “Oh…yeah!” He quickly corrected himself: “Not anymore, actually. The Duff Corporation has retired that character forever.”
Corporate executives, he explained, now view traditional advertising-print ads, TV spots, and costumed spokesmen-as outdated. “Today’s kids can’t even sing the jingles,” he lamented.
Costume Change
Though Duffman appeared throughout the rest of the episode-recruiting Homer to a Severance-style company called EOD-he never donned his trademark outfit. Instead, viewers saw him in Mr. Milchick-inspired attire, signaling a permanent shift away from his beer-shilling persona.
| Duffman Then | Duffman Now |
|---|---|
| 1997 debut | Season 37 retirement |
| Full Duff-branded costume | Plain business look |
| “Oh yeah!” catchphrase | Catchphrase retired |
| Beer promotions | Corporate recruiter role |
Voice Behind the Cape
**Hank Azaria has voiced Duffman since day one, alongside characters like Moe, Chief Wiggum, and Comic Book Guy. Yet the actor admits Duffman ranks low on his personal favorites list.
Hank Azaria told Conan O’Brien in 2020:
> “Duffman will blow me out in a second. I have to save Duffman for the end and I actually dread it. It actually does hurt, but I am not complaining.”
Fan Reactions
Viewers voiced immediate nostalgia on social media:
- One fan posted: “Noooooooo not Duffman!!! My favorite beer guy ever.”
- Another joked: “Thank you for 30 years of amazing service and commitment to the Duff brand. May your 401k keep you happy in retirement, Duffman.”
The Bigger Picture
Duffman’s farewell follows Alice Glick’s confirmed death in November. Executive producer Tim Long told People at the time:
> “In a sense, Alice the organist will live forever, through the beautiful music she made. But in another, more important sense, yep she’s dead as a doornail.”
**Key Takeaways
- Duffman retired after 27 years as Duff Beer’s pitchman
- Hank Azaria voices the character but finds the role physically taxing
- Corporate storyline replaces beer promos in the Severance-themed episode
- Character wardrobe switches from superhero spandex to corporate casual
- Simpsons universe continues trimming its longest-running side characters
Duffman may have poured his last televised pint, but Springfield’s bar tabs-and fans’ memories-remain forever stamped with his boisterous “Oh yeah!”
