The Simpsons fans are stunned as show KILLS OFF a character featured all the way back in the series premiere episode more than three decades ago

Fans of The Simpsons were in for a shock this weekend when the long-running series killed off a supporting character.

The supporting figure made their debut on the show in December of 1989 — almost 35 years ago — in the series premiere episode, the Christmas-themed Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire. 

In the latest episode — featuring the punny title Cremains Of The Day — viewers learned that Larry the Barfly had died.

Larry had been a member of the intoxicated ensemble frequenting Moe's Tavern, and he was voiced by Spinal Tap star Harry Shearer, who is known for bringing to life a bevy of characters, including Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns, his assistant Smithers, Principal Skinner and the Reverend Lovejoy, among many others.

The show, which came under fire from overly sensitive viewers last year over scenes in which Homer comically strangles his son Bart, often featured Larry alongside the much more prominent Barney Gumble, the comical drunk whose slurred delivery often steals scenes set in the bar.

Fans of The Simpsons were in for a shock this weekend when the long-running series killed off a supporting character; still from 2021

The supporting figure made their debut on the show in December of 1989 — almost 35 years ago — in the series premiere episode, the Christmas-themed Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire; pictured in season nine

Although Larry had been around for decades, he never took a prominent role in any episode, and almost nothing was known about the character's backstory.

That changed with Sunday's episode, as he was posthumously revealed to be named Lawrence Dalrymple.

In Cremains Of The Day, Homer and his other drinking buddies explored Larry's surprising history while realizing that they barely knew him.

Simpsons fans reacted on social media with a mixture of surprise and mock shock at the news of the minor character's death.

'Not Larry!' joked one fan who also posted a gif of Marge and the children looking looking stunned. 

'Just learned they are killing off Larry on The Simpsons tomorrow. I need a minute,' joked another person.

Others poked fun at the late character's lack of screen presence. 

'Whenever Larry isn't onscreen, everybody should be asking, "Where's Larry?"' one fan wrote. 

Another added, 'I hope we learn something about Larry if we aren't going to see him again.'

But others found his life in the margins 'really f***ing sad and tragic.'

Simpsons writer Matt Selman, who serves as co-showrunner with Al Jean, poked fun at how his own series was playing up the death of a minor character.

'Who will die this Sunday on @TheSimpsons?' he wrote on X (formerly Twitter) while including including images of Homer, Marge, Bart and Larry, which made it clear that the three leads weren't going anywhere. 

In the latest episode — featuring the punny title Cremains Of The Day — viewers learned that Larry the Barfly (second to left) had died

In Cremains Of The Day, Homer and his other drinking buddies explored Larry's surprising history while realizing that they barely knew him

Simpsons fans reacted on social media with a mixture of surprise and mock shock at the news of the minor character's death

 Others poked fun at the late character's lack of screen presence

Simpsons writer Matt Selman, who serves as co-showrunner with Al Jean, poked fun at how his own series was playing up the death of a minor character

One viewer joked about Larry's cause of death: 'Spoiler: autoerotic asphyxiation.'

Even the Simpsons' account got in on the fun by posting an image of Homer and Larry chowing down on 'Angel Wings' at a sports bar in heaven

One viewer joked about Larry's cause of death: 'Spoiler: autoerotic asphyxiation.' 

Even the Simpsons' account got in on the fun by posting an image of Homer and Larry chowing down on 'Angel Wings' at a sports bar in heaven.

Despite the publicity over the death, many fans also admitted that they never even knew Larry's name.

Even as The Simpsons has moved to cull some of its less-popular characters, it has also brought back iconic faces in recent years, including the Albert Brooks–voiced Jacques, a French bowler who tried to score a strike with Marge.