Brad Ableson grew up as a massive fan of The Simpsons. He knew every episode by heart and could draw every character with his eyes closed. Never did he imagine that one day he would actually work on the show. But at age 19, that dream became a reality. Ableson recently opened up about his incredible journey from a fanatic to a full-time employee on the legendary animated series.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Ableson shared how he landed the job and what it was like working alongside his heroes. His story is a reminder that sometimes the biggest dreams do come true.
How a Film School Teacher Changed Everything
Ableson attended USC Film School. While there, he created an Emmy Award-winning student film called “My Ding-A-Ling”. This short film helped him get noticed. But it was his teacher who pushed him to take the next step.
When Ableson was 19, he needed a job. His film school teacher suggested he apply for an animator position on The Simpsons. Ableson followed that advice and applied. To his surprise, he got the job.
He signed on as an artist during Season 7 of the series. The show was already a massive hit by then. Ableson described the feeling of getting hired.
“It was like being a lifelong Dodgers fan and suddenly being on the team with my heroes! My heroes became my mentors, friends, and eventually my family…literally.”
Working on a Show He Grew Up Watching
Ableson spent 20 years working on The Simpsons. During that time, he worked as a storyboard artist on over 150 episodes. He also contributed to The Simpsons Movie.
One of the first episodes he worked on was “A Milhouse Divided” from Season 8. This episode focused on Milhouse’s parents getting divorced. The story hit close to home for Ableson.
At the time, his own parents were going through a divorce. His father was staying at a friend’s house and sleeping in a kid’s race car bed. That exact detail appeared in the episode.
“Luckily, my dad had a great sense of humor about the situation and was able to laugh at the episode. My dad actually looks like Kirk Van Houten. I drew this cel where Kirk opens his heart to Homer about his divorce, and I definitely channeled my dad when I animated this scene!”
Ableson found a way to turn a personal experience into art. He channeled his father’s situation into the animation.
Keeping Up with Changing Times
The Simpsons has been on the air for over three decades. Many shows from that era have disappeared. But The Simpsons continues to stay relevant.
Ableson credits the show’s writers and artists for this success.
“Because The Simpsons is a funhouse mirror of society, the writers and artists have done a great job of keeping up with evolving trends, politics, and pop culture.”
The show has expanded beyond television. It now includes social media content, video games, Disney+ shorts, theme park attractions, and special couch gag collaborations.
Ableson appreciates how the team finds new ways to keep the show fresh.
“The TV show will always be the anchor, but I love that the team continues to find new ways to stay relevant by injecting The Simpsons’ signature humor into social media, video games, Disney+ shorts, theme parks, and those epic couch gag collabs!”
Life Beyond Springfield
After two decades on The Simpsons, Ableson decided to move on. He felt an “itch to develop his own shows”. His experience on the series opened many doors.
Ableson went on to co-direct Minions: The Rise of Gru. He is also set to co-direct Shrek 5. His other projects include the MTV animated series Good Vibes and Comedy Central’s Legends of Chamberlain Heights.
But The Simpsons will always hold a special place in his heart. He met his wife while working on the show. They now have two children together.
“I met my wife working on The Simpsons, and we now have two Simpsons babies.”
Art from the Show Goes to Auction
Ableson’s journey is getting renewed attention. His artwork is featured in Propstore’s Animation Art Live Auction. The auction took place on July 8-9. It included almost 700 lots of original production cels, drawings, storyboards, backgrounds, and development artwork from beloved animated films and television series.
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Fans of The Simpsons can now own a piece of the show’s history. Ableson’s contributions to the series are part of that legacy.
The Simpsons currently holds an 8.6 rating on IMDb. The show remains one of the most popular animated series of all time. Ableson played a key role in keeping that quality alive for two decades.
His story proves that hard work and a little bit of luck can turn a childhood dream into a lifelong career. From a kid who could recite every episode to a key member of the animation team, Brad Ableson lived every fan’s fantasy.
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