Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Hank Azaria

Discover the career path of Hank Azaria, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Hank Azaria is an American actor and comedian, primarily known for his extensive voice work on the animated sitcom *The Simpsons* since 1989. He voices numerous iconic characters, including Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, and Apu Nahasapeemapetilon. Azaria became a regular cast member during the show's second season and has received four Primetime Emmy Awards for his contributions to the series. He initially had limited voice acting experience but has since become a prominent figure in the industry.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1990: Film Debut and Pretty Woman Appearance

In 1990, Hank Azaria made his film debut in the direct-to-video release "Cool Blue" as Buzz. He also had his first theatrically released feature film appearance the same year in "Pretty Woman", playing a police detective named Albertson.

1994: Spider-Man Animated Series Role

Between 1994 and 1996, Hank Azaria voiced Eddie Brock / Venom in "Spider-Man: The Animated Series".

1994: Quiz Show Role

In 1994, Hank Azaria played television producer Albert Freedman in the film "Quiz Show", which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

1995: Role in Heat

In 1995, Hank Azaria appeared in the film "Heat".

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1996: Spider-Man Animated Series Role

Between 1994 and 1996, Hank Azaria voiced Eddie Brock / Venom in "Spider-Man: The Animated Series".

1996: The Birdcage Role

In 1996, Hank Azaria played gay Guatemalan housekeeper Agador Spartacus in the film "The Birdcage", considered his "big break".

1997: Appearance in Grosse Pointe Blank

In 1997, Hank Azaria appeared in the film "Grosse Pointe Blank".

1997: Anastasia Voice Role

In 1997, Hank Azaria voiced Bartok the bat in the animated feature "Anastasia".

1998: Celebrity and Godzilla Roles

In 1998, Hank Azaria appeared in "Celebrity", played Walter Plane in "Great Expectations", and Victor "Animal" Palotti in "Godzilla", marking one of his first starring roles in a blockbuster.

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1999: Roles in Cradle Will Rock and Tuesdays with Morrie

In 1999, Hank Azaria played Marc Blitzstein in "Cradle Will Rock" and Mitch Albom in "Tuesdays with Morrie", winning a Primetime Emmy Award for the latter.

1999: Bartok the Magnificent Role

In 1999, Hank Azaria reprised his role as Bartok in the direct-to-video prequel "Bartok the Magnificent".

1999: Roles in Mystery, Alaska and Mystery Men

In 1999, Hank Azaria starred as Charles Danner in the drama "Mystery, Alaska" and as The Blue Raja in the comedy superhero film "Mystery Men".

2001: Role in America's Sweethearts

In 2001, Hank Azaria played Hector Gorgonzolas in "America's Sweethearts".

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2001: Role in Uprising

In 2001, Hank Azaria played Mordechaj Anielewicz in the television film "Uprising", based on the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

2001: Futurama Episode

In 2001, Hank Azaria voiced Harold Zoid in the "Futurama" episode "That's Lobstertainment!".

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2003: Appeared in Sexual Perversity in Chicago

In 2003, Hank Azaria appeared as Bernard in David Mamet's play, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, alongside Matthew Perry and Minnie Driver, in London's West End.

2003: Role in Shattered Glass

In 2003, Hank Azaria played journalist Michael Kelly in the drama film "Shattered Glass".

December 2004: Spamalot Opening in Chicago

In December 2004, Hank Azaria made his first appearance in Chicago as Sir Lancelot, the French Taunter, and four other characters in Spamalot, the musical version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

2004: Roles in Along Came Polly and DodgeBall

In 2004, Hank Azaria played Claude in "Along Came Polly" and the young Patches O'Houlihan in "DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story".

2004: Nobody's Perfect Short Film

In 2004, Hank Azaria wrote and directed the short film "Nobody's Perfect", which won the Film Discovery Jury Award for Best Short at the US Comedy Arts Festival.

June 2005: Took a Break From Spamalot

In June 2005, Hank Azaria took a break from his role in Spamalot to work on Huff.

December 2005: Returned to Spamalot

In December 2005, Hank Azaria returned to his role in Spamalot after working on Huff. Alan Tudyk had filled the role during his absence.

2005: Voiceover Career Reflections

In 2005, Hank Azaria reflected on his voiceover career, noting he was "spoiled by The Simpsons" and didn't love other voiceover work.

2006: Huff's Conclusion and Film Appearances

Following the conclusion of "Huff" in 2006, Hank Azaria continued to make multiple film appearances.

January 2007: Confirmed Director for Outsourced

In January 2007, Hank Azaria was confirmed to be directing "Outsourced", a film about two American workers who journey to get their jobs back after their factory is moved to Mexico.

2007: Role in Run Fatboy Run

In 2007, Hank Azaria played Whit Bloom in David Schwimmer's directorial debut, "Run Fatboy Run".

2007: Chicago 10 Voice Roles

In 2007, Hank Azaria voiced Abbie Hoffman and Allen Ginsberg in "Chicago 10".

2007: Starred in The Farnsworth Invention

In late 2007, Hank Azaria starred in Aaron Sorkin's The Farnsworth Invention, playing RCA head David Sarnoff.

2009: Night at the Museum Role

In 2009, Hank Azaria played the villainous pharaoh Kah Mun Rah in "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian". He also appeared in "Year One" as Abraham.

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2009: Focus on Fatherhood Documentary

In 2009, Hank Azaria told Empire he was instead focusing on making a documentary about fatherhood.

2010: Love & Other Drugs Role

In 2010, Hank Azaria played Dr. Stan Knight in "Love & Other Drugs".

2011: Role in The Smurfs

In 2011, Hank Azaria played Gargamel in the animated/live-action adaptation of "The Smurfs".

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2011: Hop Voice Roles

In 2011, Hank Azaria voiced Carlos and Phil in the film "Hop".

November 2012: Azaria Sued Bierko Over Brockmire Voice Ownership

In November 2012, Hank Azaria sued Craig Bierko over the ownership of the Brockmire voice, claiming copyright over the "tangible" character. Both actors used a baseball announcer voice since 1990, but the court ruled in Azaria's favor in 2014.

2012: Chevrolet Sonic Commercial

In 2012, Hank Azaria, who had previously vowed to never record for an advertisement again, voiced several insects in a commercial for the Chevrolet Sonic.

2013: Lovelace Role

In 2013, Hank Azaria played Deep Throat director Gerard Damiano in "Lovelace".

2013: Reprising Gargamel Role

In 2013, Hank Azaria reprised his role as Gargamel in the sequel, "The Smurfs 2".

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2014: Azaria Wins Brockmire Voice Ownership Lawsuit

In 2014, Hank Azaria won the lawsuit against Craig Bierko over the ownership of the Brockmire voice. The court ruled that Azaria's Brockmire voice was a defined, "tangible" character and subject to copyright.