Milhouse Van Houten

Milhouse Van Houten is a recurring character in the Fox animated television series The Simpsons, created by Matt Groening and voiced by Pamela Hayden. Milhouse became one of the series' most prominent recurring characters when The Simpsons were renewed for a full season by Fox. Groening chose the name Milhouse, which is also President Richard Nixon's middle name because it was the most "unfortunate name he could think of for a kid". Milhouse is of Italian, Greek, Danish, and Dutch descent, according to comments and characters in the series. He has the same physical characteristics as both of his parents, as well as his father's primary personality traits (which include disappointment, insecurity, and a generally depressed demeanor). He has none of his mother's confidence, except when specific storylines demand it. Milhouse and family are among the few Springfield residents with visible eyebrows, which are rather thick.

In Mrs. Krabappel's fourth grade class at Springfield Elementary School, Milhouse is Bart Simpson's best friend. He is an insecure, gullible, and less popular child than Bart, and he is frequently led into trouble by Bart, who exploits his friend's naiveté. Milhouse is frequently targeted by Nelson Muntz and his friends Jimbo Jones, Dolph Starbeam, and Kearney Zzyzwicz at school. Milhouse has a crush on Bart's sister, Lisa, which is a recurring plot element. Milhouse is frequently the punchline to various jokes. He speaks Italian fluently because he visits his maternal grandmother in Tuscany for two weeks every year. Milhouse's personality shifts dramatically when he speaks Italian, becoming a suave, confident ladies' man popular with Springfield's Italian community.

First appearance: The Butterfinger Group (1988)