The voice of many on FOX's Emmy Award-winning series THE SIMPSONS, Harry Shearer gives life to some of Springfield's more colorful characters: Mr. Burns, Flanders, Principal Skinner, Reverend Lovejoy and Otto.

To date, Shearer's unique talent has produced an inimitable and irreverent body of work in every major entertainment genre. Most recently he wrote and directed the feature "Teddy Bears' Picnic", being released on DVD next month. In addition, he is a co-creator and co-star of the legendary "rockdocumentary," "This Is Spinal Tap", as well as a former writer and cast member of "Saturday Night Live" and the late-night talk show spoof "Fernwood 2 Night". He has been a commentator on "World News Now", a writer for the e-zine "Slate" and a columnist for Los Angeles Times magazine. His critically acclaimed radio program "Le Show," a Sheareresque mix of news, parody, poigancy, trenchant sketches and music, is in its 20th year.

Shearer's acting credits include guest star appearances on "ER," "Chicago Hope," "Miami Vice," "Friends" and "Murphy Brown." Feature film work includes "Godzilla," "The Truman Show," "The Right Stuff," "My Best Friend's Wedding," "Independence Day" and "EdTV." In addition, Shearer reunited with "Spinal Tap" actors Michael McKean and Christopher Guest to lend their voice talents to "Small Soldiers." The three are reunited as folk artists 'The Folksmen' in Guest's film, "A Mighty Wind," currently in theatres.

His early television and film credits include "The Jack Benny Program," "Abbott and Costello Go To Mars" and the biblical drama, "The Robe." In addition, he appeared in "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and he played Eddie Haskell in the pilot episode of "Leave It To Beaver."

Other media avenues of Shearer include his recorded two-CD compilation entitled "O.J. On Trial" and a multi-media exhibit of public figures captured on satellite entitled, "Wall of Silence." His foray into the book publishing world produced a collection of essays, "Man Bites Town," Shearer's observations on a broad spectrum of subjects including presidential libraries, network news anchors, nationwide polls, and celebrities. In 1999 he released the book-length essay on the Clintons, "It's The Stupidity, Stupid." He's currently trying not to write a comic novel, "Not Enough Indians."

NOTE: Bio is as it appeared in the Forum program from March 4, 2004.