Ned Flanders

Ned Flanders
The Simpsons character
Flanders waving
First appearance	"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (1989)
Created by	Matt Groening
Designed by	Matt Groening
Voiced by	Harry Shearer
In-universe information
Full name	Nedward Flanders Jr.
Gender	Male
Occupation	Pharmaceutical company clerk (former, until he opened the Leftorium), owner of the Leftorium (former, until it closed), fourth grade teacher at Springfield Elementary School
Family	Mona Flanders (mother) Nedward Flanders, Sr. (father)
Spouses	Maude Flanders ​ (died)​ Ginger Flanders ​ (separated)​ Edna Krabappel ​ (died)​
Children	Rod Flanders Todd Flanders
Religion	Evangelical Christian
Nationality	American

Nedward "Ned" Flanders Jr.,^[1] commonly referred to by his surname, is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons, voiced by Harry Shearer^[2] and first appearing in the series premiere episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire." He is the good-natured, cheery next-door neighbor to the Simpson family and is generally loathed by Homer Simpson, though there are numerous instances where the two are portrayed as good friends. A scrupulous and devout Evangelical Christian, he is among the friendliest and most compassionate of Springfield's residents and is generally considered a pillar of the Springfield community.

He was one of the first characters outside the immediate Simpson family to appear on the show, and has since been central to several episodes, the first being season two's "Dead Putting Society". As the series progressed, Flanders's religious fanaticism increased immensely, prompting the coining of the term "Flanderization". His last name comes from Flanders Street in Portland, Oregon, the hometown of Simpsons creator Matt Groening.