Matt Groening Reveals the Location of the Real Springfield

How did The Simpsons come to life?

In 1987, I was waiting for a meeting with James Brooks about creating short cartoons for The Tracey Ullman Show. I realized that if I used my Life in Hell characters, Fox would own them, so I quickly sketched a new family – loosely based on my own. My dad’s name was Homer, my mom was Margaret, and I had sisters Lisa and Maggie. I planned to name the main character Matt but switched to Bart because it sounded funnier.

Why Bart?

I had written a high school novel featuring a character named Bart Simpson. I liked how “Bart” sounded like “bark,” imagining an angry father yelling his name.

Did your father inspire more than the name?

Yes. My dad, a cartoonist and filmmaker, used to record our family conversations and once made a movie using a story I told my sisters, Lisa and Maggie. This inspired the family dynamic in The Simpsons.

Why Springfield?

I named it after Springfield, Oregon. As a kid, I thought Father Knows Best was set there and liked imagining it was near Portland, where I grew up. I figured everyone could relate since Springfield is a familiar city name in the U.S..

Did growing up in Portland influence the show?

Definitely. I named many characters after Portland streets and borrowed the city’s independent spirit. Portland’s quirky charm and idyllic scenery were big inspirations, though I was often bored and bullied as a kid.

Was your dad proud of The Simpsons?

At first, he worried I’d starve in Hollywood. But he loved the show and insisted Homer never be mean to Marge, reflecting how he treated my mom.

Why did Homer become the focus over Bart?

Initially, the shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show focused on Bart and Homer’s chaotic relationship. But I knew Homer would be the star when we developed the full series because his actions had greater consequences.

Is The Simpsons your way of staying connected to home?

Absolutely. Naming characters after my family and using Portland’s landmarks feels like I’ve never really left.

What kind of home have you built on the show?

A goofy, chaotic one where I encourage writers and animators to take risks. I play the fool, making it safe for everyone else to be silly.

How realistic is the Simpsons’ home life?

It’s a bit old-fashioned – Marge stays home, which is less common today. We also moved away from the family’s early financial struggles to focus on crazier adventures.

Did TV growing up influence your writing?

Yes. ’50s and ’60s shows were overly polite and repressed, while ’70s sitcoms became too mean-spirited. I aimed for The Simpsons to strike a balance between warmth and irreverence.

Do you go back to Portland often?

Yes, a few times a year. My first stop is always Powell’s Books. Portland still feels like home.