Harry Shearer, born on December 23, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, is a multifaceted American entertainer whose career spans acting, comedy, music, writing, and radio. Starting as a child actor, Shearer rose to prominence as a member of the satirical radio group The Credibility Gap (1969–1976) before transitioning into television and film writing. He co-wrote the 1979 film Real Life with Albert Brooks and contributed to the series Fernwood 2 Night. His early television success included two separate stints as a cast member on Saturday Night Live.
Shearer gained cult status as one of the creators and stars of the mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap (1984), in which he portrayed bassist Derek Smalls. However, his most enduring fame comes from his work on The Simpsons, where since 1989 he has voiced some of the show’s most iconic characters, including Mr. Burns, Smithers, Flanders, and Principal Skinner. His film appearances also include The Truman Show (1998) and A Mighty Wind (2003), and he has directed Teddy Bears’ Picnic (2002) and The Big Uneasy (2010), the latter a documentary about Hurricane Katrina and government response failures.
In addition to his screen work, Shearer hosts the long-running satirical radio show Le Show, blending music, political satire, and comedy since 1983. An accomplished writer, he has authored three books and contributed to various publications. He received a Primetime Emmy Award and multiple Grammy nominations for his contributions to entertainment. Married to singer-songwriter Judith Owen since 1993, Shearer also serves as an artist in residence at Loyola University New Orleans, reflecting his commitment to both satire and education.
