It’s one of the most recognizable characters in TV history, but do you know the real name behind Bart Simpson? Nancy Cartwright has given voice to the precocious boy in the long-running television series but she’s also a philanthropist, producer and author.

Cartwright may have spent 23 years on the longest-running scripted television series, but her personal story is as compelling as her career. She says that none of us has a long time on Earth, and time seems to go more quickly as we get older. So she’s passionate about helping young people discover their passions and realize that we all have the ability to follow our dreams and seize opportunities.

See what Cartwright says life is a playground, what producers look for when casting new actors and voice artists and see why she spends her free time racing around the tracks — in real life and virtually!