--- name: "Harry Shearer" canonical: "https://film.one/person/harry-shearer" fi1m_id: "harry-shearer" imdb_id: "nm0733427" tmdb_id: 6008 wikidata_id: "Q345325" roles: ["Actor","Writer"] born: "23 December 1943" reviewed_on_fi1m: 14 average_fi1m_score: 74 average_as: "actor" average_over: 11 updated: "2026-10-07T16:30:31.368700+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Harry Shearer ## Identity Harry Shearer - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/harry-shearer - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** harry-shearer - **IMDb ID:** nm0733427 - **TMDB ID:** 6008 - **Wikidata ID:** Q345325 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Shearer, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q345325, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0733427/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6008 Actor and writer. Born 23 December 1943 in Los Angeles, California, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor, Writer - **Born:** 23 December 1943, Los Angeles, California, USA - **Active:** 1979–2007 - **Also known as:** Harry Julius Shearer - **Titles on Fi1m:** 14: 11 acting, 3 other - **Frequently works with:** [Hank Azaria](https://film.one/person/hank-azaria.md), [Al Jean](https://film.one/person/al-jean.md), [Dan Castellaneta](https://film.one/person/dan-castellaneta.md), [David Mirkin](https://film.one/person/david-mirkin.md), [David Silverman](https://film.one/person/david-silverman.md), [George Meyer](https://film.one/person/george-meyer.md), [Ian Maxtone-Graham](https://film.one/person/ian-maxtone-graham.md), [James L. Brooks](https://film.one/person/james-l-brooks.md) - **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won) - **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 11 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 48 (1), 1970s 77 (1), 1980s 88 (3), 1990s 73 (6), 2000s 66 (3) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 70 across 8 titles - **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 8, Animation 4, Drama 4, Family 3, Action 1, Adventure 1 - **Screen time:** 19 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $1,720m across 10 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Shearer, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q345325, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0733427/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6008 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*The Simpsons*](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md) (88), [*The Simpsons Movie*](https://film.one/film/the-simpsons-movie.md) (70), [*Chicken Little*](https://film.one/film/chicken-little.md) (42) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Godzilla*](https://film.one/film/godzilla-1998.md) (46) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Harry Shearer > Harry Shearer makes Derek Smalls funny by listening when others would compete for the joke. His voices in *The Simpsons* are just as carefully judged: we hear what each character expects from other people. In *This Is Spinal Tap* (1984), Harry Shearer's Derek Smalls lets his bandmates do much of the talking. Beside Christopher Guest's Nigel Tufnel and Michael McKean's David St. Hubbins, he has little need to compete for attention. We laughed at his listening because he seems to give their foolish explanations more consideration than they deserve. Shearer makes this patience credible: Smalls belongs with these men and does not behave as though he has wandered in to expose them. Shearer's radio comedy work with The Credibility Gap in the late 1960s preceded these screen ensembles. In Rob Reiner's film, he shares both writing and music credits with Reiner, Guest and McKean. The interruptions and repeated explanations suggest people who have spent too long together, while the force of the riffs gives their musical pride some justification. The story is slight, but the care taken over the songs makes the band worth spending time with. His later appearance as Mark Shubb in *A Mighty Wind* (2003) continued his work in Christopher Guest's mockumentary ensemble. *The Simpsons* (1989) makes his contribution easier to hear, though counting the voices misses what matters. Mr. Burns speaks as if obedience has already been agreed; Ned Flanders sounds as if agreement is still something to hope for. Shearer gives each a different way of dealing with other people, so a change of pitch is only part of the job. Alongside Hank Azaria, whose Moe Szyslak hears ordinary exchanges as personal setbacks, he makes the supporting characters interesting enough to follow for their own sake. We can recognise their mistakes without being encouraged to dismiss them. That does not make every episode of *The Simpsons* worth an evening, any more than the performances give *This Is Spinal Tap* a substantial story. His contribution is worth seeking out, but it cannot be a promise that everything around him will work. Start with Reiner's film, and pay some attention to Smalls when somebody else has the floor. ## Biography Harry Shearer (born 23 December 1943) is an American actor, comedian, writer and voice artist. Born in Los Angeles, California, he began his career as a child actor and later joined the radio comedy group The Credibility Gap. Shearer is best known for voicing multiple characters on the animated series *The Simpsons* (1989–), including Mr Burns, Ned Flanders, Waylon Smithers, Principal Skinner and Lenny Leonard; he has also written for the show. He co-created, co-wrote and co-starred in the mockumentary *This Is Spinal Tap* (1984) as Derek Smalls, and appeared in films such as *The Truman Show* (1998) and *A Mighty Wind* (2003). He was a cast member on *Saturday Night Live* in two periods and has hosted the public radio programme *Le Show* since 1983. Shearer has won a Primetime Emmy Award and has been married to singer-songwriter Judith Owen since 1993. *Sources: imdb.com, behindthevoiceactors.com, en.wikipedia.org, harryshearer.com.* ## On Fi1m (14) ### Performed in (11) — the average rests on these - *The Simpsons Movie* (2007), Fi1m 70, as Scratchy / Mr. Burns / Rev. Lovejoy / Ned Flanders / Lenny / Skull / President Arnold Schwarzenegger / Kent Brockman / Principal Skinner / Dr. Hibbert / Smithers / Toll Booth Man / Guard / Otto / Kang (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-simpsons-movie.md) - *Chicken Little* (2005), Fi1m 42, as Dog Announcer (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/chicken-little.md) - *Godzilla* (1998), Fi1m 46, as Charles Caiman — [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-1998.md) - *The Truman Show* (1998), Fi1m 88, as Mike Michaelson — [page](https://film.one/film/the-truman-show.md) - *A League of Their Own* (1992), Fi1m 80, as Newsreel Announcer — [page](https://film.one/film/a-league-of-their-own.md) - *FernGully: The Last Rainforest* (1992), Fi1m 64, as Fairy #3 (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/ferngully-the-last-rainforest.md) - *The Fisher King* (1991), Fi1m 80, as Sitcom Actor Ben Starr — [page](https://film.one/film/the-fisher-king.md) - *The Simpsons* (1989), Fi1m 88, as Ned Flanders / Mr. Burns / Smithers / Principal Skinner / Lenny Leonard (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md) - *This Is Spinal Tap* (1984), Fi1m 91, as Derek Smalls — [page](https://film.one/film/this-is-spinal-tap.md) - *The Right Stuff* (1983), Fi1m 86, as NASA Recruiter — [page](https://film.one/film/the-right-stuff.md) - *Real Life* (1979), Fi1m 77, as Pete - Cameraman / Radio Announcer — [page](https://film.one/film/real-life.md) ### Also credited (3) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *Would I Lie to You?* (2007), Fi1m 85, as Self — [page](https://film.one/tv/would-i-lie-to-you.md) - *Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai* (1999), Fi1m 80, as Voice of Scratchy (voice) (archive footage) — [page](https://film.one/film/ghost-dog-the-way-of-the-samurai.md) - *The Robe* (1953), Fi1m 48, as David (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-robe.md) ## Complete filmography (128) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Yellow Mirror* (2026), as Lenny Leonard (voice) - *Simpsley* (2026), as Seymour Skinner (voice) - *Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition* (2026), as Lenny Leonard (voice), Ned Flanders (voice) - *Spinal Tap II: The End Continues* (2025), as Derek Smalls · Writer, Characters, Producer - *The Simpson: Yellow Planet* (2025), as Principal Skinner / Kang / Lenny Leonard / Reverend Lovejoy / Rainier Wolfcastle / Ned Flanders - *The Simpsons: O C'mon All Ye Faithful* (2024), as Mr. Burns (voice) - *A Taste of Heaven: The Ecstatic Song & Gospel of Maestro Raymond Anthony Myles* (2023), Actor - *The Simpsons | Balenciaga* (2021), Actor - *Easy Does It* (2020), as 'Breezy' Bob Mckee (voice) - *Father Figures* (2017), as Gene - *Springfield of Dreams: The Legend of Homer Simpson* (2017), as Jebediah Springfield / Lenny Leonard / Mr. Burns (voice) - *Mascots* (2016), as Competition Announcer (voice) - *Love & Taxes* (2015), as Sean Boykin/Agent - *Playhouse Presents* (2012), series, as Richard Nixon - *Flood Streets* (2011), as Dr. Keeley - *The Big Uneasy* (2010), Director - *Stonehenge: 'Tis a Magic Place* (2009), as Derek Smalls - *Spinal Tap: Back from the Dead* (2009), as Derek Smalls - *My Suicide* (2009), as Caress Moscowitz - *A Couple of White Chicks at the Hairdresser* (2007), as Marc Gavin - *The Simpsons Movie* (2007), as Scratchy / Mr. Burns / Rev. Lovejoy / Ned Flanders / Lenny / Skull / President Arnold Schwarzenegger / Kent Brockman / Principal Skinner / Dr. Hibbert / Smithers / Toll Booth Man / Guard / Otto / Kang (voice) — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/the-simpsons-movie.md) - *For Your Consideration* (2006), as Victor Allan Miller - *Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School* (2006), as Promo Announcer - *Chicken Little* (2005), as Dog Announcer (voice) — Fi1m 42, [page](https://film.one/film/chicken-little.md) - *The Simpsons: Christmas 2* (2004), Actor - *The Secret Policeman's Ball: The Music Edition* (2004), as Derek Smalls - *Celebrity Mastermind* (2003), series, Actor - *The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror* (2003), as Mr. Burns / Smithers / Ned Flanders / Kang / Skinner (voice) - *The Simpsons: Christmas* (2003), as (archive footage) - *A Mighty Wind* (2003), as Mark Shubb - *The Agency* (2001), series, as The President - *Teddy Bears' Picnic* (2001), as Joey Lavin · Director, Writer, Executive Producer, Music Supervisor - *Haunted Castle* (2001), as Mr. D / Mephisto (voice) - *Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big* (2000), as The General (voice) - *CyberWorld* (2000), as Ned Flanders / Dr. Julius Hibbert / Rev. Timothy Lovejoy (voice) - *Catching Up with Marty DiBergi* (2000), as Derek Smalls - *Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai* (1999), as Voice of Scratchy (voice) (archive footage) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/ghost-dog-the-way-of-the-samurai.md) - *Funny Is Money* (1999), Writer - *Jack & Jill* (1999), series, as Dr. Wilfred Madison - *Dick* (1999), as G. Gordon Liddy - *Encounter in the Third Dimension* (1999), as Narrator (voice) - *EDtv* (1999), as Moderator - *The Simpsons: Too Hot For TV* (1999), Actor - *Small Soldiers* (1998), as Punch-It (voice) - *The Truman Show: Tru-Talk* (1998), as Mike Michaelson - *The Truman Show* (1998), as Mike Michaelson — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-truman-show.md) - *Almost Heroes* (1998), as Narrator (voice) - *Godzilla* (1998), as Charles Caiman — Fi1m 46, [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-1998.md) - *Dawson's Creek* (1998), series, as Principal Peskin - *Style & Substance* (1998), series, Actor - *The Visitor* (1997), series, as Louis Faraday - *George & Leo* (1997), series, Actor - *Thrill Ride: The Science of Fun* (1997), as Narrator - *My Best Friend's Wedding* (1997), as Jonathan P.E. Rice - *Just Shoot Me!* (1997), series, as Larry Fenwick - *Waiting for Guffman* (1997), Lyricist, Original Music Composer - *Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist* (1995), series, as Harry (voice), Additional Writing - *Casper* (1995), as Radio announcer (uncredited) - *The Show Formerly Known as the Martin Short Show* (1995), as Mr. Blackwell - *Speechless* (1994), as Chuck - *Little Giants* (1994), as Announcer - *Friends* (1994), series, as Dr. Baldharar — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md) - *ER* (1994), series, as John Smythe — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md) - *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Nowhere Man - *Ellen* (1994), series, as Ted Layton - *I'll Do Anything* (1994), as Audience Research Captain - *Wayne's World 2* (1993), as Handsome Dan - *Animaniacs* (1993), series, as Ned Flat (voice) - *A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Out* (1992), as Derek Smalls / Mark Shubb · Producer, Writer - *Metallica: A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica* (1992), as Derek Smalls - *A League of Their Own* (1992), as Newsreel Announcer — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/a-league-of-their-own.md) - *FernGully: The Last Rainforest* (1992), as Fairy #3 (voice) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/ferngully-the-last-rainforest.md) - *Amnesty International's Big 30* (1991), as Derek Smalls - *The Fisher King* (1991), as Sitcom Actor Ben Starr — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-fisher-king.md) - *Blood and Concrete* (1991), as Sammy Rhodes - *Pure Luck* (1991), as Julius Monosoff - *Dinosaurs* (1991), series, as Narrator (voice) - *Oscar* (1991), as Guido Finucci - *The American Film Institute Presents: TV or Not TV?* (1990), Actor - *Hometown Boy Makes Good* (1990), as Radio Announcer (voice) - *Dream On* (1990), series, as Steve - *The Jackie Bison Show* (1990), as (voice) - *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders / Mr. Burns / Smithers / Principal Skinner / Lenny Leonard (voice) · Writer — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md) - *My Stepmother Is an Alien* (1988), as Carl Sagan (voice) - *Portrait of a White Marriage* (1988), as Al Silvers · Director - *Spitting Image: The Ronnie & Nancy Show* (1988), as Johnny Carson (Voice) - *Plain Clothes* (1988), as Simon Feck - *Martin Mull Live from North Ridgeville, Ohio* (1987), as Robin Leach / Ronald Reagan / Nancy Reagan (voices) - *Spitting Image: The 1987 Movie Awards* (1987), as Various Roles - *Down and Out with Donald Duck* (1987), as Additional Voices (voice) - *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Gordon Huyck - *Club Paradise* (1986), Story - *Spitting Image: Down And Out In The White House* (1986), as Various Roles - *The History of White People in America: Volume II* (1986), as Rabbi · Director - *The Hear 'n Aid Sessions* (1986), as Derek Smalls [Spinal Tap] - *The Golden Girls* (1985), series, as George Bush (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-golden-girls.md) - *The History of White People in America* (1985), as Rabbi · Director - *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as FBI Agent Timothy Anderson — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) - *This Is Spinal Tap* (1984), as Derek Smalls · Original Music Composer, Writer — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/this-is-spinal-tap.md) - *The Right Stuff* (1983), as NASA Recruiter — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-right-stuff.md) - *Flicks* (1983), as Narrator / Voice of Philip Alien / Voice of George Blik (voice) - *The Million Dollar Infield* (1982), as Jack Savage - *Spinal Tap: The Final Tour* (1981), as Derek Smalls · Writer - *Likely Stories Vol. 1* (1981), Actor - *One Trick Pony* (1980), as Bernie Wepner - *Animalympics* (1980), as Keen Hacksaw / Mayor of Animal Olympic Island / Burnt Woody / Mark Spritz (voice) - *The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh* (1979), as Murray Sports - *The Concorde... Airport '79* (1979), as Jeffrey Marx - *The T.V. Show* (1979), Writer, Producer, Musician - *The Chevy Chase National Humor Test* (1979), Writer - *Just Friends* (1979), series, Actor - *Real Life* (1979), Pete - Cameraman / Radio Announcer, Writer — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/real-life.md) - *Disco Beaver from Outer Space* (1979), Writer - *Loose Shoes* (1978), as Narrator (voice) - *America 2-Night* (1978), series, Writer - *American Raspberry* (1977), as Trucker's Friend - *Cracking Up* (1977), Actor - *Serpico: The Deadly Game* (1976), as Hippy - *Laverne & Shirley* (1976), series, as Interviewer · Writer - *Sick* (1975), as Dr. Jerry Shuster - *Jaws* (1975), ADR & Dubbing — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/jaws.md) - *Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1955), series, as Street Kid - *The Egyptian* (1954), as Boy - *The Robe* (1953), as David (uncredited) — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/the-robe.md) - *Abbott and Costello Go to Mars* (1953), as Second Boy (uncredited) - *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Timmy - *Spinal Tap at Stonehenge: The Final Finale*, as Derek Smalls - *You Don't Know Dick: The Comedy Mind of Richard M. Nixon*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Actor Harry Shearer attends the California Saga 2 Benefit as his character Derek Smalls from the film This is Spinal Tap at Ace Hotel on July 03, 2019 in Los An](https://film.one/media/person/61799/gallery-8a931d203bf6.jpg) Actor Harry Shearer attends the California Saga 2 Benefit as his character Derek Smalls from the film This is Spinal Tap at Ace Hotel on July 03, 2019 in Los An — Toglenn, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/DSC_0353aaMusician_%28_by_Glenn_Francis%29.jpg/1280px-DSC_0353aaMusician_%28_by_Glenn_Francis%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Derek Smalls arrives for the California Saga 2 Charity Concert in Los Angeles California on July 3, 2019 - Photo by Glenn Francis of www.PacificProDigital.com](https://film.one/media/person/61799/gallery-1cb0facbbab3.jpg) Derek Smalls arrives for the California Saga 2 Charity Concert in Los Angeles California on July 3, 2019 - Photo by Glenn Francis of www.PacificProDigital.com — Toglenn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Derek_Smalls_2019_by_Glenn_Francis.jpg/1280px-Derek_Smalls_2019_by_Glenn_Francis.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Star of This is Spinal Tap, and multi-voices on The Simpsons. (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/61799/gallery-ec22548d308c.jpg) Star of This is Spinal Tap, and multi-voices on The Simpsons. (2019) — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Harry_Shearer_%2833906701158%29.jpg/1280px-Harry_Shearer_%2833906701158%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Star of This is Spinal Tap, and multi-voices on The Simpsons. (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/61799/gallery-a0302564923d.jpg) Star of This is Spinal Tap, and multi-voices on The Simpsons. (2019) — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Harry_Shearer_%2833906701158%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Harry_Shearer_%2833906701158%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Harry Shearer](https://film.one/media/person/61799/gallery-c9b1bda82b26.jpg) Harry Shearer — Image via TMDB - ![Harry Shearer](https://film.one/media/person/61799/gallery-69b051d1c5db.jpg) Harry Shearer — Image via TMDB - ![Harry Shearer](https://film.one/media/person/61799/gallery-49e0ca0b156e.jpg) Harry Shearer — Image via TMDB - ![Harry Shearer](https://film.one/media/person/61799/gallery-4d16ca769fc2.jpg) Harry Shearer — Derek Bridges from New Orleans, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Harry_Shearer_at_RT4.jpg/1280px-Harry_Shearer_at_RT4.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) ## Awards ### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won - 2014: Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (won), for *The Simpsons* *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/harry-shearer