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Oh, yeah!
―Duffman's catchphrase
Duffman!
―Duffman's other catchphrase
Duffman is here to refill your beer!
―his other catchphrase
Duffman in Days of Future Future with Moe

An elderly Duffman.

Duffman,[1] currently known as Puffman, was the mascot and spokesman for the Duff Beer company. His real name is either Barry Duffman[2][3] or Barry Huffman.[4] The idea of Duffman came about after H.K. Duff's grandfather repurposed a fascist icon because he could not get the rights to Woody Woodpecker.[4] There are actually multiple people who play Duffman. (Others being Sid, Joe, and Larry)

FWWDuffman

Duffman bobblehead

Character traits[]

Physical traits[]

Duffman is an athletic and smooth-talking corporate personality who wears blue and red tights, a red cape, white gloves, and the Duff logo emblazoned across his chest. The ensemble features a red hat with the Duff logo on it, dark sunglasses, and a "utility belt" of beer cans around his waist.

Duff

Duff Beer logo

Other traits[]

Duffman is generally known for his overly enthusiastic speech in which he refers to himself in the third person, complete with dramatic pauses and ending with a suggestive "Oh, yeah!" and pelvic thrusts. Fittingly, his theme song which plays at every corporate-sponsored appearance is "Oh Yeah" by Swiss band Yello. Also, Lenny calls him "the guy who creates an awareness of Duff".

Duffman is also a professional male stripper for private special events, such as Edna Krabappel's bachelorette party.[5]

Duffman is sober because of Duff Beer's policies.[4]

Death[]

When Lenny mentioned that he had heard Duffman died of liver failure, Duffman scoffed "Duffman can never die! Only the actors who play him!" Duffman was also shot by Frank Grimes, Jr.. Duffman pledged his love to Doris before blacking out.[6] Another Duffman possibly died when Moe (who had undergone plastic surgery thanks largely to his winning photo having to be "censored" due to his immensely deformed appearance) put a sticker on his face. Another Duffman was possibly killed in a blimp crash during a baseball game; it was then revealed that there were three Duffmen working the game that night[7] The Duff corporation does not publicly acknowledge that Duffman is only a fictional character, so as not to disillusion Duffman's "fans". It was also implied by Homer Simpson that one Duffman who owned a set of blimp keys committed suicide via drowning because Homer wouldn't let him share a beer while both were skinny dipping.[8]

Life outside business[]

He is shown cleaning up Lake Springfield in The Simpsons Movie.

Independence[]

Though he is a corporate mascot of Duff Beer, some actors have displayed independent thought and conscience at times. Homer discovers that H.K. Duff, who owns not only the beer company but also the Springfield Isotopes, was planning to move the team to Albuquerque. Commanded to help discredit Homer, this Duffman was torn between corporate loyalty, and the truth. In the end, Duffman said to himself "New feelings brewing in Duffman! What would Jesus do?" and tossed Howard Duff into the stands of Isotope Stadium (effectively throwing the money changers out of the temple).

Friends[]

Duffman is friends with Rainier Wolfcastle, Cookie Kwan and Miss Springfield.[9]

Family[]

Duffman claims to have two children, Dufflad and Duffgirl, but Mr. Duff VII retorts that these were "one-time shots in a Super Bowl commercial". This Duffman was named "Sid". When he was subsequently found teaching basic mathematics at the Springfield Men's Mission, he was played by "Barry Duffman".[3] Also, Duffman said "Are you there, God? It's me, Duffman!". Duffman (or at least this particular Duffman) also mentioned, after distributing several Duff memorabilia that he has to leave early to comfort his and Grady's adopted and estranged daughter who dropped out of college.[10]

Religion[]

When Homer and Marge attended an Oktoberfest festival, Duffman, who was the host of the festival, energetically exclaims, "Duffmensch orders you to party! This Reich will last a thousand beers! Oh, Ja!", which is a reference to the Nazi concept of a Thousand Year Reich. He made lots of other German World War II references, which he hated because he is Jewish. So, he mutters under his breath, "I do this, and I'm Jewish".[11]

Sexuality[]

Duffman (or rather, whichever actor was playing him at the time) was revealed to be bisexual and in a long term stable relationship with Grady. He had a fling with Booberella revealed in a behind the scenes interview that was a publicity stunt.[12]

He was also revealed to be in love with Grady, who wanted to break up with Julio.[13] (Grady calls Homer and says that he has found a new man, just as Duffman walks out of the shower and whips him with a towel)

He married Grady in "There's Something About Marrying". (Not shown, but implied by the statement that Homer has married every gay couple in town, partway through the episode). They are most likely still together and their adopted and estranged daughter is mentioned in "To Surveil With Love".

When Duffman is shot by Frank Grimes, Jr., he says, "I love you, Doris!".[6]

Duffman also slept with Titania. He promised her that in exchange for sleeping with him, she wouldn't have to touch the drunks in a bar-tending contest, but he reneged on the promise at the last minute.[14]

Education[]

Duffman is revealed to have dyslexia, calling it "Duffman's secret shame".[15] He also said that he has studied ballet for four years at Juilliard.[16]

Non-canon[]

Ssi 5 The contents of this article or section are considered to be non-canon and therefore may not have actually happened/existed.

Video games[]

Duffman appears in The Simpsons Game as the emcee of the Duff Ultimate Eating Challenge in the level "Around the World in 80 Bites".

Future[]

In "Days of Future Future", Moe Szyslak is caring for Duffman at his old age.

Behind the Laughter[]

Character origins[]

Duffman is based on Budweiser's former mascot, Bud Man. Duffman's catchphrase comes from the song "Oh Yeah" by Yello, which the producers say became extremely popular after Ferris Bueller's Day Off and many advertisers started using it. As a result, the writers felt that the song and phrase "Oh yeah!" would be suitable for Duffman. Duffman's thrusts were first acted out by Brad Bird. Duffman is the greatest womanizer - or so he says.[17] He talks almost the same pattern like Captain Kirk from the original Star Trek.

Appearances[]

Joystick Video gameThe Simpsons Game

Joystick Video gameThe Simpsons: Hit and Run

Joystick Video gameThe Simpsons: Tapped Out

Trivia[]

  • He is bisexual, but he is currently in a same-sex relationship with Grady.
  • Duffman attempted to commit suicide by skinny dipping with Homer and then trying to drown himself.
  • He has a parrot named Hoppy, who can even say some of his catchphrases.[18]
  • Hank Azaria has stated that Duffman is the most difficult character for him to voice.[19] As a result, he often saves Duffman for end of the recording sessions.
    • L.T. Smash, another character voiced by Hank Azaria, also has a similar voice to Duffman, although the only difference is that Smash's voice is done in a slightly more sinister manner.
  • He is known as "Spuckman" when he becomes the spokesman for Spuckler Family Moonshine after the Duff Company replaced him with a cat.[20]

Gallery[]

Duff man
The full image gallery for Duffman may be viewed at Duffman/Gallery.

Citations[]

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