Harry Shearer - TV.com

Harry Shearer: Summary

Recent Role:: Himself on The Rachel Maddow Show

Birthday:: 12-23-1943

Birthplace:: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Birth Name:: Harrison Shearer

AKA:: Harry J. Shearer, Harry 'O.J.' Shearer, Derek Smalls

"Hollywood Lifer" does not even begin to describe Harry Shearer. True, the actor/writer/musician has been around for as long as many remember, but he is no hack.

Harrison Shearer got his big break in the pilot of the 1957-63 sitcom Leave It To Beaver, in which he played the original Eddie Haskell. The role was recast in future episodes, though he appeared as a different character later on in the first season.

Shearer resurfaced in the mid-70's as a comedian in Los Angeles, writing and occasionally performing on Laverne & Shirley, Fernwood 2Night, and America 2Night. He eventually landed a gig on Saturday Night Live, where he performed and wrote sketches during the 1979-80 season, then came back to do the same in 1984-85. Shearer never fit the SNL mold on either attempt, blaming the show's producers for not giving him enough exposure or attention. When he resigned from the show January 13, 1985, a press release cited "creative differences" for his departure. Shearer clarified the quote by saying, "I was creative and they were different."

However, his greatest fame came from two completely different entities: as bassist Derek Smalls in the movie This Is Spinal Tap, and as the voice of Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns, Smithers, Reverend Lovejoy, and many others as welll as the voices from some guest stars on the hit TV series The Simpsons.

Shearer has worked as various other occupations apart from showbiz. He worked as a freelance journalist and a high school teacher after he finished his degree at Harvard University, Massachusetts. He also hosted a comedy radio show Le Show that became intensely popular during it's run.

He has had two wives. The first, he divorced in 1977. His current wife, Judith Owen, has been married to him since 1993. "Hollywood Lifer" does not even begin to describe Harry Shearer. True, the actor/writer/musician has been around for as long as many remember, but he is no hack.

Harrison Shearer got his big break in the pilot of the 1957-63 sitcom Leave It To Beaver, in which he played the original Eddie Haskell. The role was recast in future episodes, though he appeared as a...

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Simpsons voices sign, 20th season official
Fox shells out cash for comedy's voice actors, announces historic season the following day.
- 06/03/08 11:11 AM
- 41 comments \ add yours
Pay dispute could shorten Simpsons
Production of animated hit at standstill as voice actors hold out for more moola; reports surface that they could get $500k per episode.
- 05/21/08 3:01 PM
- 35 comments \ add yours

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meislost
member since: Mar 30, 2007
The Bottom Line: "Talented"
Harry Shearer is a voice actor best known for his work on The Simpsons. ...Continue »
Harry Shearer was born Harry Julius Shearer on December 23, 1943 in Los Angeles, California. He gained fame with 1989's The Simpsons. On June 12, 1974, he married Penelope J. Nichols, but they divorced in 1977. On The Simpsons, he gained stardom for voicing various characters lke: Otto the Schoolbus Driver, Lenny Leonard, Mr. Burn, Reverend Lovejoy, Waylon Smithers, Kent Brockman, Principal Seymour Skinner, Ned Flanders, and Dr. Julius Hibbert. Harry's middle name is the same of Dr. Hibbert's first name. In 1998, he co-starrred with The Simpsons cast members Hank Azaria and Nancy Cartwright in Godzilla. On March 28, 1993, he married second wife singer/actress Judith Owen. Despite being married twice, he has no children. I love Harry Shearer's voice and talent. I hope to hear Harry Shearer for many more seasons on The Simpsons!
11/09/07 07:58pm | report abuse
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Darkside5675
member since: Feb 11, 2007
The Bottom Line: "Talented"
Talented for sure! ...Continue »
(Simpsons Related)
Back in the day, this would have been a 10/10! But sadly, the show has been declining. They just didn't know when to pull out. The show peaked during the late 90s, but since 2000 it has been on a downhill slope getting worse with every season. The plots are dull and don't seem to go anywhere filled with awful jokes.

The jokes themselves are no longer original, but rather just follow the formula of older jokes and are written poorly. The voicework is still good, its just annoying seeing the same old jokes over and over. Homer is fat, Bart is dumb, Moe suicidal etc. Nothing is original anymore. And the wit is no longer there either.

The show was good in its prime, but it has taken a huge fall. The movie coming out doesn't help anything.
02/13/07 10:23pm | report abuse
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GoldenLiberator
member since: Jan 13, 2007
empty ...Continue »
If you've ever watched the Simpsons, you will know that Harry Shearer provides the voice for Charles Montgomery Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned 'Neddy' / 'Nedward' Flanders, etc. He's a brilliant voice actor and deserves more roles than he actually has! (Not like he has hundreds already)
01/14/07 05:38am | report abuse
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TeenTitansFan01
member since: Jul 6, 2006
The Bottom Line: "Talented"
Awsome dude! ...Continue »
What do Mr. Burns, Reverend Lovejoy, Lenny, Smithers, and Ned Flanders have in common? Well, they're all voiced by the brilliant Harry Shearer. I feel he provides some of the funniest and most well-thought out voices on the show, and you really can't tell they're by the same person. The voices of Mr. Burns and Principal Skinner in particular never fail to hit the spot. Outside of Springfield Harry is probably best known for his portrayal of Derek Smalls in the cult classic "This Is Spinal Tap", which I saw for the first time only recently. While Derek didn't get as much screentime as the other two bandmembers I think Harry did a great job with the character. Mr. Shearer has a great knack for instilling life and wit into his characters, and he has proved this time and time again over the years.
10/26/06 04:21pm | report abuse
10
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PerfectDark0Fan
member since: Jul 5, 2004
The Bottom Line: "Talented"
Harry Shearer is a very talented man. ...Continue »
I can't believe he is the only guy who hasnt won an emmy for the Simpsons. Ofcourse the actors are suprub common let him have it; he has a lot of roles on the show. Now to say about Harry Shearer he is a cool guy that diserves and emmy for his outstanding voice acting.
04/16/06 06:53pm | report abuse