As Azaria explained to GQ, Police Chief Wiggum’s voice is actually an impression of Edward G. Robinson–or, more accurately, of Mel Blanc doing an impression of Edward G. Robinson.
As Azaria explained, Edward G. Robinson was an actor most well-known for his 1930s and 40s mob films, and especially for his distinctive voice and look. “Time” magazine said Robinson had “the face of a depraved cherub and a voice which makes everything he says seem violently profane” (via Britannica). Robinson often played “tough guy” characters, like a con man in “Smart Money” or a gangster in “Little Caesar.” However, he also acted against type, like when he played the lead role in “Dr. Erlich’s Magic Bullet” or Dathan in “The Ten Commandments.”
As Azaria also explained, Mel Blanc was the prolific voiceover actor behind many of the characters on “Looney Tunes,” like Bugs Bunny. When playing gangsters, Blanc often channeled Robinson, like he did for the character of Rocky the Gangster in the 1946 short “Racketeer Rabbit” (per the Looney Tunes Wiki).
It makes sense why Azaria would look up to Blanc, who was described as “The Man of a Thousand Voices.” Azaria’s own voiceover career is one Blanc would have been proud of.
For more latest TV News Click Here