Movies - TV
The Simpsons’ Dr. Hibbert Is Secretly A Reference To An SNL Star
By WITNEY SEIBOLD
Since 1990, Dr. Julius Hibbert has appeared in 25 episodes of "The Simpsons" and in "The Simpsons Movie." The character is named after a real person.
Per the book "Springfield Confidential," the character's name wasn't random. He's named after comedian Julia Hibbert, a friend of a "Simpsons" writer.
Julia Hibbert, better known by her unmarried name, Julia Sweeney, was one of the main SNL cast from 1990 to 1994 and was perhaps best known for her androgynous character, Pat.
From 1990 to 1994, Sweeney was married to a man named Stephen Hibbert, making her Julia Hibbert. Writer Jay Kogen, who named the character, was friends with Sweeney then.
Though initially written as Julia Hibbert (a woman), the character was turned into a spoof of Bill Cosby when "The Simpsons" was moved to a coveted timeslot after "The Cosby Show."
The name was changed to Julius, with Harry Shearer giving Dr. Hibbert's voice a distinct "Cosby Show" quality. Weirdly enough, Sweeney herself never appeared on "The Simpsons."
Sweeney has appeared in "Pulp Fiction" and shows like "Work in Progress" and "Shrill." She also had voice roles in series like "Baby Blues," "The Goode Family," and "Family Guy."