Azaria learned to sing like Springsteen; the Boss likes it

PHILADELPHIA — Hank Azaria’s 60th birthday was approaching, and the TV and film actor — best known for voicing over 100 characters in 36 seasons of “The Simpsons” — needed a little more joy in his life.

So naturally, the six-time Emmy winner decided he needed to learn to sing like Bruce Springsteen.

The idea of walking around the house all day singing Springsteen made perfect sense to him. He had been a lifelong fan, first seeing the Boss on “The River” tour in 1980, and seemed to have a natural talent as a mimic since he was a boy growing up in Queens.

But for all of his dexterity in creating voices for “Simpsons” characters, like Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Superintendent Chalmers and Professor Fink, Azaria had limited experience as a musical mimic.

That’s despite performing in the Mo