What happened to Lionel Hutz, the morally-flexible lawyer on The Simpsons? Voiced by a famous Saturday Night Live alum, the character first appeared in The Simpsons season 2 episode “Bart Gets Hits by Car”. In fact, Hutz played a significant role during the Fox series' initial run during the 1990s, but hasn’t actually spoken since The Simpsons season 9. So, why does he still occasionally appear in Springfield?
In The Simpsons, Hutz turns up in dozens of episodes before fading away. He first offers to represent Bart in a settlement case, teasing a potential $1 million payday. But Hutz also wants 50 percent, and makes it blatantly clear that Bart should ignore the truth in favor of some alternative facts. After all, the lawyer knows how to manipulate the system, and has been "clogging up" courts since 1976, as noted on his business card. Hutz was married to Marge's sister Selma Bouvier, and his collective behavior in The Simpsons steady reinforces that he's the quintessential sketchy lawyer - a boozer, a boaster, and a man who likes to twist the truth to keep business booming.
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The Simpsons officially retired Lionel Hutz in 1998, due to the tragic death of voice actor Phil Hartman. After leaving Saturday Night Live in 1994, he settled into the next phase of his career, primarily as a main cast member on NBC's NewsRadio. Meanwhile, Hartman not only voiced Lionel Hutz in The Simpsons, but also Troy McClure. In May 1998, Hartman was murdered by his wife while sleeping, and so The Simpsons chose to retire Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure, though the former would later appear in a non-speaking role throughout Springfield, much like so many other familiar characters.
Hutz speaks for the last time in The Simpsons season 9 episode "Realty Bites". Marge runs into the lawyer on the street, and learns that he's now the owner of Red Blazer Realty, where "You'll Go Nuts for Lionel's Huts." It also appears that Hutz has moved into an un-sold home with his dogs, a plot point that aligns with the character's manipulative and self-serving persona. He ultimately recruits Marge to work at Red Blazer Realty, and then chastises her for being too nice, only to subsequently award her with an initiatory red blazer.
"Realty Bites" also introduces Gil Gunderson, a businessman voiced by Dan Castellaneta (Homer) who would essentially replace Hutz's role within The Simpsons. Gunderson similarly has personal and professional problems, only he's significantly less confident than his Red Blazer Realty boss. As for Hutz, he's still technically alive in The Simpsons and roams about Springfield, yet Homer and company have cut ties from the swashbuckling entrepreneur.