Biography for
Harry Shearer

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Mini Biography

Harry Shearer was born in 1943 in Los Angeles, California. His film debut was with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953), followed by The Robe (1953). Probably best known for his "Saturday Night Live" (1975) gigs, his NPR satire program "Le Show" and "The Simpsons" (1989), where he plays 21 characters. His best film may be This Is Spinal Tap (1984), where he played bass player Derek Smalls. There was also an episode on "The Simpsons" (1989) where he reprised this role. His film work includes Godzilla (1998), in which "Simpsons" cast members Hank Azaria and Nancy Cartwright also appeared. Shearer has also directed a film, Teddy Bears' Picnic (2002), in which he also stars.

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Trivia

His middle name is Julius, which is also the first name of Dr Hibbert, a character for which he does the voice on "The Simpsons" (1989).

Appeared in This Is Spinal Tap (1984) before being cast on "The Simpsons" (1989). In the episode "The Otto Show," Bart and Milhouse go to a Spinal Tap concert. Shearer, as well as Michael McKean and Christopher Guest, all reprised their roles. This marked the only time on the show that a cast member reprised a film role for the series and makes Shearer the only regular cast member to have done so.

Is the voice of the announcer for between-show trivia tidbits and network commercials on TV Land.

At 21 characters, he has the widest range of roles on "The Simpsons" (1989), including the maniacal Mr. Burns, local celebrity news anchor Kent Brockman and the Springfield God Squad Reverend Lovejoy and Ned Flanders.

One of three voice artists on "The Simpsons" (1989) to guest star on the show "Friends" (1994). The other two are Dan Castellaneta and Hank Azaria.

Although he was the second actor to voice Mr. Burns on "The Simpsons" (1989), he was the first to utter the line "Smithers . . . release the hounds.".

The only primary member of the cast of "The Simpsons" (1989) not to have won an Emmy Award for his work on the show.

He's the only one of the six principal voice actors on "The Simpsons" (1989) not to have done a DVD commentary for the series.

Personal Quotes

If absolute power corrupts absolutely, does absolute powerlessness make you pure?

[on which character in "The Simpsons" (1989) is hardest to voice] Burns requires lots of tea and honey.

[asked how many characters on "The Simpsons" (1989) he voices] I think I do about 12 regular characters but I've been able to pad the resume with God, The Devil and Hitler.

[criticizing the decline in quality of "The Simpsons" (1989)] I rate the last three seasons as among the worst, so Season 4 looks very good to me now.

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