What happened to Lionel Hutz, the morally-flexible lawyer on 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 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 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 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 (The Simpsons and roams about Springfield, yet Homer and company have cut ties from the swashbuckling entrepreneur.