WATCH ABOVE: Harry Shearer, the voice of countless characters, can’t agree with the show’s producers on a new contract. Fans fear they may have heard the last of Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders and wonder if the show can go on. Mike Drolet reports.
TORONTO — Harry Shearer, one of the voice actors on The Simpsons, said Wednesday he is off the series.
Shearer tweeted that a lawyer for Simpsons executive producer James L. Brooks said the show will go on without the man who voices characters like Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Waylon Smithers and Principal Skinner.
The 71-year-old comedian added: “This because I wanted what we’ve always had: the freedom to do other work.”
In a statement to the New York Times, executive producer Al Jean said Shearer passed up the same deal offered to his cast mates. “The show will go on,” he said. “We do not plan to kill off characters … but will recast with the finest voiceover talent available.”
Jean also tweeted to fans of the show.
Another Simpsons executive producer, James L. Brooks, suggested the door remains open to Shearer.
In addition to his voice work on The Simpsons, Shearer has starred in movies like Spinal Tap and A Mighty Wind and on episodes of numerous TV shows.
Shearer was briefly a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live. His comedy albums earned Grammy nominations in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
At the Primetime Emmy Awards last year, Shearer won for Best Character Voice-Over Performance in recognition of his work on The Simpsons.
Shearer also does the voices of Kent Brockman, Reverend Lovejoy, Dr. Hibbert and Lenny.
He reportedly earned $300,000 per episode of The Simpsons, which has been on the air since 1989. In Canada, it airs on Global.
The other voice actors have reportedly signed on for two more seasons.
Comments