Duffman Retired: The Simpsons Says Goodbye to a Beloved Mascot — Without a Death

The Simpsons is bidding farewell to another familiar face — and this time, no one dies.

In the latest episode, “Seperance,” a sharp parody of the workplace sci-fi hit Severance, the show reveals that Duffman, the loud, beer-can-belted mascot of Duff Beer, has officially been retired.

The news comes right at the start of the episode, when Barry Duffman shows up at the Simpsons’ home to recruit Homer for a soulless new company called EOD (Enthusiasm on Demand). During the pitch, Barry casually drops the bombshell: Duffman is no more.

“The Duff Corporation has retired that character forever,” he says. “All the old forms of advertising are now passé. Corporate spokesmen, print ads, TV spots. Today’s kids can’t even sing the jingles.”

By the end of the episode, Barry breaks free from EOD’s corporate brainwashing — but fans hoping for a full Duffman comeback are left disappointed. Instead of suiting back up in the red cape, sunglasses, and iconic beer-can belt, Barry remains in civilian clothes, signaling that the Duffman persona is gone for good.

Duffman was voiced by Hank Azaria and first appeared in the 1997 episode “The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson.” Instantly memorable for his over-the-top energy and signature catchphrase — “Oh yeah!” — the character became a recurring symbol of Springfield’s love affair with advertising and excess. His last proper appearance was in season 36’s “P.S. I Hate You.”

The retirement continues a season full of notable goodbyes. In November’s episode “Sashes to Sashes,” the show killed off longtime recurring character Alice Glick, the organist at the First Church of Springfield, in a darkly comic cold open.

Last season, The Simpsons also stirred headlines by killing off Marge in a flash-forward episode. Co-showrunner Matt Selman was quick to reassure fans that the moment wasn’t permanent.

“Obviously, since The Simpsons’ future episodes are all speculative fantasies, they’re all different every time,” Selman told. “Marge will probably never be dead ever again.”

Duffman’s exit may not involve a funeral, but for longtime viewers, it still marks the end of an era — a reminder that even Springfield’s loudest mascots aren’t immune to changing times. Oh yeah… no more.