


Gil Gunderson
Gil Gunderson
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Character Information
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Gilbert "Gil" Gunderson, sometimes referring to himself as Old Gil, is voiced by Dan Castellaneta.
Creation
Gil is based on Jack Lemmon's portrayal of Shelley Levene in the film version of Glengarry Glen Ross: a nervous, middle-aged man with the inability to hold a steady job due to strings of misfortunes that tend to hit him at the worst times.[1]
First Appearance
Gil made his debut in the episode "Realty Bites", where he plays a hapless real estate agent much like Lemmon does in the film. Lemmon himself plays a similar part in "The Twisted World of Marge Simpson".
Home
Later, in "Old Yeller Belly", Gil apparently lived at the Springfield Men's Mission (a hostel for down-and-outs), although he was forcibly ejected from the premises because he had overstayed the "6 month occupancy limit." A defiant Gil walked straight into a shady organ "donation" clinic to sell his eyes for cash. In another episode, "Natural Born Kissers", it is implied that Gil lives in a hot-air balloon, which is then stolen by Homer and Marge Simpson. Gil's lone possession in the balloon is a hot plate.
Major Appearances
Gil finally had the opportunity to become a more centralized role in "Kill Gil: Vols. 1 & 2" in season 18, in which he moves in with the Simpsons after he is fired from his job as a mall Santa Claus. The temporary situation turns into a joint occupancy that lasts for almost an entire year and tries the family's patience.
Death
In the episode "I Don't Wanna Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", Gil is seen starting his first day at the First Bank of Springfield. A robbery occurs, and he is shot repeatedly by bank robbers and left for dead. His fate is unknown at this time. However, as he has survived other seemingly fatal injuries and incidents in the past, it is considered likely that he continues to live following the incident.
- ↑ Groening, Matt. (2006). The Simpsons The Complete Eighth Season DVD commentary for the episode "The Twisted World of Marge Simpson" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.