Harry Shearer
Harry Shearer
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Harry Jay Shearer is an American actor, comedian, musician, writer, director, and producer.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on December 23, 1943. Still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American; Actor, Comedian, Musician, Writer, Director, Producer
Early Life and Background
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Harry Shearer was born in Los Angeles, California, to Dora (née Klein) and Joseph Harry Shearer. His father was a playwright and novelist who served as a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy Reserve during World War II. Shearer's early life involved moving frequently due to his family's naval commitments.
Shearer developed an interest in acting at a young age, encouraged by his parents. He attended Los Angeles City College before transferring to the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated with a degree in economics. During his time at UC Berkeley, Shearer became involved in the campus radio station and began developing his comedic skills.
Major Accomplishments
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Shearer's breakthrough role came as a writer, cast member, and voice actor for _Saturday Night Live_ (SNL) from 1984 to 1993. He created several memorable characters during this period, including Mr. Burns, Smithers, Kent Brockman, and Reverend Lovejoy.
After leaving SNL, Shearer went on to create the critically acclaimed animated series _The Simpsons_, where he voices numerous iconic characters. His portrayal of Mr. Burns has earned him multiple awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance in 1998.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Shearer's notable works include:
The Simpsons: Creator and voice actor for several main characters, including Mr. Burns, Smithers, Kent Brockman, Reverend Lovejoy, and Ned Flanders.
Saturday Night Live (SNL): Writer, cast member, and voice actor from 1984 to 1993.
* This Is Spinal Tap: Voice of David St. Hubbins in the mockumentary film.
Impact and Legacy
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Harry Shearer's influence on comedy and animation is undeniable. His iconic characters have become ingrained in popular culture, inspiring countless parodies and references. As a writer, actor, and producer, he has contributed to some of the most beloved television shows and films of the past few decades.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Shearer's longevity and versatility as a performer have cemented his status as a comedy legend. His ability to craft memorable characters and voices has left an indelible mark on the world of animation and beyond.
His commitment to satire, social commentary, and clever writing continues to entertain audiences worldwide, making him one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in entertainment today.
Quotes by Harry Shearer
Harry Shearer's insights on:
People don't play music in New Orleans for the reasons they do in Nashville or L.A. - to become stars or to get rich - they play because they've got to. It's in the streets, in their family, in their blood.
Bryce Canyon isn't as famous as the Grand Canyon, but it is just incredible - nothing compares to it.
My family was lower middle class, and my parents both worked, so we couldn't take proper vacations. We'd go for three days to Santa Barbara or to the desert, so my first real vacation came was when I was 12, when friends of my parents were taking their kids away. We went to Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park in Arizona and Utah.
To me, the funniest American of the Twentieth Century is Richard Nixon because he had the most to hide, and he was so bad at hiding it. To me, that's what's really funny - people who think they're doing a great job of hiding stuff, and it just keeps leaking out.
One of the problems with 'SNL' is that, if you tried to adlib, the director would put you off camera and off the mic, so only you would know that you ever did it. The director always directed to the script; he wasn't listening to what you were doing. He was calling shots whilst looking at the page.
'Leave It To Beaver' is a fairly famous show in America, but I don't think it travelled. It was one of those typical '50s family comedies. I was in the pilot episode as sort of the dark presence: my character was called Eddie Haskill.
I always thought, as a kid, if you - and the reason that I sort of stayed away from doing one character on a sitcom is - if you're doing one thing all the time, the audience is going to come up to you and say the one thing all the time.
I'm lucky that I can walk down the street, and maybe one person will recognise me from 'The Simpsons,' and another person will recognise me from 'Spinal Tap,' and it's always surprising.
I love to see what real human behavior looks like. I've always envisioned my job as just observing and noting that and, for the purposes of my work, just cutting out the boring parts.
I like Mr. Burns because he is pure evil. A lot of evil people make the mistake of diluting it. Never adulterate your evil.