Harry Shearer, Voice Of ‘Simpsons’ Mr. Burns, Will Return After Contract Dispute

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2015 file photo, Harry Shearer appears at the 30th annual TEC Awards during the 2015 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) show in Anaheim, Calif. An escalating contract dispute sugge... FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2015 file photo, Harry Shearer appears at the 30th annual TEC Awards during the 2015 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) show in Anaheim, Calif. An escalating contract dispute suggests that Harry Shearer may exit "The Simpsons," where he has voiced several of its characters since the Fox cartoon series debuted in 1989. In Twitter posts on Thursday, May 14, 2015, Shearer said re-upping with the series would have denied him "what we've always had: the freedom to do other work." In a tweet hours later, "Simpsons" executive producer Al Jean resolved to “recast if Harry does not return.” (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP, File) MORE LESS

NEW YORK (AP) — Harry Shearer and his many voices are returning to “The Simpsons” after a contentious and public contract dispute.

Dueling tweets in May between Shearer and “Simpsons” executive producer Al Jean suggested Shearer might be leaving the Fox cartoon series, where he has voiced numerous key characters since it debuted in 1989.

But Fox announced Tuesday that he will be alongside fellow cast members Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria for the series’ 27th and 28th seasons.

Shearer voices characters including Simpsons neighbor Ned Flanders, billionaire Mr. Burns and his kowtowing aide, Smithers.

The multitasking Shearer, 71, has charted a diverse career on numerous projects as an actor, writer, musician and producer, both before and since becoming part of the “Simpsons” troupe.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  1. Another job Ted Cruz will not get in the next year

  2. i thought he left because the show hasn’t been funny or clever in over a decade. but nope, it was just money,

  3. Also the director/producer of Teddy Bears’ Picnic, a send up of the Bohemian Grove summer encampment which had its world premier at the Rio Theater in downtown Monte Rio California. A little known fact of little importance.

  4. I’m glad they were able to work things out

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