At some point in life, everyone has to say goodbye to a loved one, even fictional families.

Al Jean, the executive producer of the U.S. cartoon sitcom “The Simpsons,” said Friday that he will kill off one of the main characters, during a recent phone conference with the press to promote the 25th season premiere of the iconic show.

Though he did not say which character will be terminated, Jean said the actor playing this character has won an Emmy for his or her performance in “The Simpsons.” The hint is effectively ineffective as virtually every single one of the main characters has captured the prestigious award over the years.

In the U.S., speculations are flying over which member of the beloved fictional Simpson family will face an untimely death.

“The Simpsons,” a satirical cartoon about a middle-class family living in the make-believe town of Springfield, has enjoyed tremendous success since its debut in 1989.

The new season of “The Simpsons,” which kicked off on Sunday, features new guest voices including Kristen Wiig -- who appeared in the opener -- Zach Galifianakis and Elisabeth Moss.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)