After years of being associated with one of the most controversial episodes in The Simpsons’ history, Leon Kompowsky has made a surprise return to the animated series. His brief appearance in the Season 38 Halloween special, “Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening,” raises an interesting question: could Disney eventually reconsider the place of Michael Jackson in The Simpsons’ history?
Leon appears on the Island of Forgotten Garbage, a place where Springfield’s discarded characters and possessions end up. The cameo is brief, with Dr. Nick pointing out Leon among the island’s inhabitants. There is no new dialogue or storyline for the character, but his return is nevertheless significant given the circumstances surrounding his original appearance.
Remembering Michael Jackson’s 1991 Appearance
Leon Kompowsky first appeared in “Stark Raving Dad,” the Season 3 premiere of The Simpsons, which originally aired on September 19, 1991.
The episode begins when Homer Simpson arrives at work wearing a pink shirt after accidentally washing it with Bart’s red hat. Mr. Burns becomes convinced that Homer is a free-thinking anarchist and sends him for a psychiatric evaluation. Thanks to Bart’s answers on the test, Homer ends up in a mental institution, where he meets a man who introduces himself as Michael Jackson.
Leon is a large man who believes he is the King of Pop. Although Homer does not recognise Michael Jackson’s name, the two quickly become friends. Leon is voiced by Harry Shearer, while the real Michael Jackson secretly provided the character’s singing voice in an uncredited performance.
The episode culminates in one of the series’ most memorable musical moments, when Leon and Bart write and perform “Happy Birthday Lisa” for Lisa Simpson.
Michael Jackson was a huge fan of The Simpsons and reportedly wanted to contribute to the series. His involvement became one of the most celebrated celebrity appearances of the show’s early years, with the episode remaining a favourite among many fans.
There was even supposed to be a second episode featuring Michael Jackson. However, that planned appearance never materialised, leaving “Stark Raving Dad” as his sole contribution to the series.
A Beloved Simpsons Episode That Still Matters to Collectors
The affection for “Stark Raving Dad” extends well beyond Michael Jackson’s fanbase. For many The Simpsons fans, the Season 3 premiere remains a memorable episode from the show’s golden era, thanks to its humour, Homer and Leon’s unlikely friendship, and the unforgettable “Happy Birthday Lisa” song.
That enduring interest was also evident in July 2026, when Propstore offered a remarkable collection of original production material from the episode.
Lot 267, titled “Homer Simpson and Leon Kompowsky Original Production Cel from ‘Stark Raving Dad’ on Studio Printed Background, Table Draft Script, and First Writer’s Draft Script Signed by Michael Jackson,” featured an original production cel depicting Homer Simpson and Leon, displayed against a studio-printed background. The lot also included the table draft and first writer’s draft script, with Michael Jackson’s signature on the production material.
The collection carried an estimated value of £3,000 to £6,000. Although the exact winning bid has not been confirmed in the available auction listing, the sale highlights the continuing collector interest in an episode that has been absent from official circulation since 2019.
It is a reminder that “Stark Raving Dad” occupies a place in television history that goes beyond the controversy surrounding its guest star. Its characters, artwork, scripts and musical moments remain part of the story of The Simpsons, cherished by viewers and collectors alike.
And now, with Leon Kompowsky appearing once again in a new episode, that history has unexpectedly resurfaced.
Leon Returned in 2017
The new Halloween cameo is not the first time Leon Kompowsky has reappeared since his original debut.
In Season 29, during the episode “Flanders’ Ladder,” which aired in 2017, Leon returned to sing “Happy Birthday Lisa” once again. The callback was a reminder of the character’s connection to one of the show’s most beloved musical moments.
At that time, the controversy that would later lead to the removal of “Stark Raving Dad” had not yet resulted in the episode being withdrawn from circulation.
Things would change dramatically just two years later.
What Happened in 2019?
In 2019, the release of Leaving Neverland, the documentary featuring allegations of sexual abuse against Michael Jackson by Wade Robson and James Safechuck, reignited worldwide debate about the singer’s legacy.
The Jackson estate disputed the allegations and challenged the documentary’s portrayal of events. Michael Jackson denied allegations of child sexual abuse during his lifetime, and he was acquitted of all charges in his 2005 criminal trial.
Following the documentary’s release, The Simpsons co-creator James L. Brooks announced that “Stark Raving Dad” would be removed from circulation. The decision was implemented across syndicated broadcasts and the series’ digital availability, and the episode was subsequently omitted from Disney+.
The decision meant that a landmark episode from the show’s early years effectively disappeared from its official viewing history. Its original birthday song, Michael Jackson’s performance and Leon’s introduction became inaccessible to many viewers through the usual official channels.
Although the character of Leon remained part of the show’s fictional universe, the episode that introduced him was left behind.
Could Disney Reconsider Michael Jackson’s Place in The Simpsons?
Now, in 2026, Leon has appeared again, and the timing is particularly interesting.
With the new cameo in “Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening,” the series has acknowledged Leon’s existence despite the continued absence of “Stark Raving Dad” from Disney+.
Meanwhile, Michael Jackson’s cultural legacy continues to attract renewed attention, including through the upcoming documentary about his iconic Super Bowl halftime performance, “Spectacle: Michael Jackson at the Super Bowl,” announced for Disney+ and Hulu in February 2027.
The renewed attention raises an obvious question: could Disney eventually reconsider how Michael Jackson’s contribution to The Simpsons is represented?
The latest cameo does not mean that “Stark Raving Dad” is returning, nor does it suggest that Disney has changed its position on the episode. Leon appears without new dialogue, and no official announcement has been made about restoring the original instalment.
Nevertheless, there is a distinction between deciding whether to stream an entire episode and acknowledging a fictional character who has become part of the show’s history.
Leon’s return demonstrates that the character can still be referenced without recreating Michael Jackson’s performance. It also brings renewed attention to the complicated relationship between the series, its audience and one of its most famous guest stars.
With Michael Jackson once again receiving attention through new documentaries and projects, it would be interesting to see whether Disney eventually revisits the decision to exclude “Stark Raving Dad” from its catalogue.
For Michael Jackson fans, the question remains whether one of television’s most memorable collaborations will ever receive its rightful place in the official history of The Simpsons again.
For now, Leon Kompowsky is back. Michael Jackson’s episode, however, remains missing.
