Hank Albert Azaria (born April 25, 1964) is an American film and television actor, director, comedian and voice artist. The son of a Columbia Pictures publicist and a close friend of Oliver Platt, he is most famous for his long-running career as one of the principal voice actors on the animated television series The Simpsons. He performs the voices of Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon and numerous other characters.

He became better known through his appearances in films such as The Birdcage, Godzilla and Along Came Polly. He starred in the drama Huff, playing the titular character, to critical acclaim, as well as appearing in the popular stage musical Spamalot. Originally more of a comic actor, in recent years Azaria has taken on more dramatic roles including Tuesdays With Morrie and Uprising. Married to Helen Hunt from 1999 until 2000, he has won four Emmys and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Engaged to Helen Hunt (I) in 1997.

Was trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

Was a bartender in New York at the Arcadia.

Attended Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, from 1981-1985, but did not receive his B.A. until he completed two courses in L.A. in 1987. Tufts awarded him its Light on the Hill Award in 1999.

A favorite of playwright Jenelle Riley; characters in her shows are frequently hybrids of his name with his "Simpsons, The" (1989) characters (e.g. Hank Wiggum). The lead character in her award-winning film Perfect Candidate, The (2004) is named Frank Grimes, after "Homer's Enemy".

Both sets of his grandparents came from Salonika in northern Greece.

Based the voice of Moe the bartender ("Simpsons, The" (1989)) on actor Al Pacino.

His family is of Sephardic Jewish background.

He based his character in Birdcage, The (1996) (a flamboyantly, almost over-exaggeratedly feminine homosexual house servant) on his grandmother, in particular his character's speech.

Spent over $300,000 of his own money to make his short film Nobody's Perfect (2004).

Based the voice of Lou the cop (in "Simpsons, The" (1989)) on actor Sylvester Stallone.

Based the voice of Chief Wiggum (in "Simpsons, The" (1989)) on actor Edward G. Robinson.

Based the voice of Apu (in "Simpsons, The" (1989)) on the "standard" 7-11 employee and on Peter Sellers' character Hrundi V. Bakshi in Party, The (1968).

Based the voice of Comic Book Guy (in "Simpsons, The" (1989)) on his college roommate.

Appeared in two films in 1999 with the word "Mystery" in the title: Mystery, Alaska (1999) and Mystery Men (1999).

Based the voice of quack Dr. Nick Rivera (in "Simpsons, The" (1989)) on actor Desi Arnaz.

He and his ex-wife Helen Hunt (I) have both guest-starred on the TV show "Friends" (1994), though not in the same episode. Paget Brewster, who plays his wife on "Huff" (2004), also had a recurring role on "Friends" (1994).

Attended college with Oliver Platt, attended acting school with Sharon Stone.