Harry Shearer confirmed that he is exiting the animated series The Simpsons in a message posted on Twitter. The 71-year old actor is the voice behind a number of beloved characters on the show, such as Otto, Seymour Skinner, Smithers, Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders.
Shearer had been with The Simpsons since the series was launched in 1989 — making his loss a significant turn of events for the show. Earlier this month, Fox renewed the series for two more seasons, with the next one – Season 27 –set to begin production in September. Shearer said his contract had not been renewed.
"This because I wanted what we've always had: the freedom to do other work," tweeted Shearer.
With a total of 26 seasons to date, The Simpsons is the longest-running sitcom in the U.S. It is also the longest-running animated TV series.
The departure of Shearer is devastating not just because he voiced prominent characters, but because he voiced so many characters altogether — like Dr. Hibbert, Reverend Lovejoy, Waylon Smithers, Kent Brockman and Lenny.
Shearer had additionally turned to Twitter after he received a notice from the lawyer of James L. Brookes, co-creator of The Simpsons. The notice, which Shearer partially quoted in a tweet to his followers, read the "show will go on, Harry will not be a part of it."
Reports suggest that Shearer is leaving the show because the actor found himself involved in a dispute on back-end and merchandising payments. Nevertheless, the show's producers were hopeful that an agreement could be reached in the end.
The show has survived a number of tense negotiations and contract-focused disputes in the past — but it still managed to keep the cast intact. In 2011, 20th Century Fox told the actors that their $400,000-plus per episode pay would have to be reduced by 45 percent in order to reduce costs, which they eventually settled in a smaller salary cut.
Throughout its long run, The Simpsons has seen a number of on-screen characters leave the show. These include Ned Flanders' wife Maude and Edna Krabappel, who was Bart's teacher in the fourth grade. She was retired following the death of actor Marcia Wallace. In an episode last fall, Krusty the Clown's father died after the show teased that a major character was leaving.
Shearer didn't forget to acknowledge and thank his fans on Twitter.
"Thanks, Simpsons fans, for your support," tweeted Shearer.
Photo: Bryan Ledgard I Flickr
