Harry Shearer Says He's Leaving 'The Simpsons' Over Contract Dispute
By Ryan Gajewski and Lesley Goldberg
The Simpsons appears to be moving on without a key member of its voice cast.
Harry Shearer, who brings to life such characters as Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Waylon Smithers, and Principal Skinner, tweeted Wednesday that the venerable Fox animated series has informed him that his contract will not be renewed.
“From [Simpsons executive producer] James L. Brooks’ lawyer: 'Show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best,’” Shearer tweeted, adding in a second post: “This because I wanted what we’ve always had: the freedom to do other work. Of course, I wish him the very best.”
Read More: The 'Simpsons’’ Pay Disputes
The actor and comedian — who has been with The Simpsons since its origins on The Tracey Ullman Show — was the lone cast holdout in the latest round of negotiations, with the rest of the talent having signed on for Seasons 27 and 28.
This is not the first time the show’s cast has been embroiled in contract disputes with the show. The actors agreed to a pay cut in 2011 after fierce negotiations, and they stopped going to script readings in 2004 before eventually landing pay bumps.
Representatives for 20th Century Fox Television, which produces The Simpsons, could not immediately be reached for comment.
