Harry Shearer was born in 1943 in Los Angeles, California. His film debut was with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Abbott and Costello Go to Mars, followed by The Robe. Probably best known for his SNL 25 gigs, his NPR satire program "Le Show" and The Simpsons, where he plays 17 characters. His best film may be This Is Spinal Tap, where he played bass player Derek Smalls. There was also an episode on "The Simpsons" where he reprised this role. His film work includes Godzilla, in which "Simpsons" cast members Hank Azaria and Nancy Cartwright also appeared. Shearer has also directed a film, Teddy Bears' Picnic, in which he also stars.


His middle name is Julius, which is also the first name of Dr Hibbert, a character for which he does the voice on "The Simpsons" (1989). Is the voice of the announcer for between-show trivia tidbits and network commercials on TV Land. One of three voice artists on "The Simpsons" (1989) to guest star on the show "Friends" (1994). The other two are Dan Castellaneta and Hank Azaria. The only primary member of the cast of "The Simpsons" (1989) not to have won an Emmy Award for his work on the show. Biography/bibliography in: "Contemporary Authors". New Revision Series, Volume 171, pages 373-377. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Cengage Learning, 2008.