Barney was inspired by the cartoon character Barney Rubble from The Flintstones and by several barflies from other television programs.
His loud belches and desperation for alcohol serve as frequent sources of humor on the show, though Barney sobered up in the Season 11 episode ' Days of Wine and D'oh'ses' before relapsing three years later. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared in the series premiere episode ' Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire'.īarney is the town drunk of Springfield and one of Homer Simpson's friends. Barney's Bowl-A-Rama (ex-owner) helicopter pilot, snowplow driver, astronaut, military service (unknown occupation and branch served in)īarnard Arnold ' Barney' Gumble is a recurring character in the American animated TV series The Simpsons.
