Harry Shearer, The Simpsons’ Ned Flanders, Celebrates His Birthday

He gives voice to some of the most recognized animated characters, and he has portrayed a god of rock n’ roll for nigh on three decades. And now, Harry Shearer stands poised to celebrate a very special milestone.

Happy Birthday, Harry Shearer!

And that’s because he was born on December 23, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, which means that this uber-talented gentleman is turning 77 years old today! Shearer began his acting career when he was but a mere child of 7 on the radio show, The Jack Benny Program.

He made his film debut in Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953), and he appeared in the biblical epic, The Robe (starring Richard Burton and Jean Simmons) produced that same year.

Throughout his childhood and teenage years, Shearer continued to work in film, television, and radio. Among his many credits are the series The Donald O’Connor Show (1955), It’s A Great Life (1955), Death Valley Days (1955), and Private Secretary (1956). In 1957, he portrayed a precursor to the Eddie Haskell character in the pilot episode of Leave It to Beaver.

From 1969 to 1976, Shearer performed as a member of Credibility Gap, a radio comedy group. Following the group’s disbursement, Shearer appeared in several projects including the films American Raspberry (1977) and Star Wars. On the latter, Shearer provided several voices though his work went uncredited.

In 1977, Shearer became a writer on the Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman spinoff series Fernwood 2 Night and its subsequent revamp America 2-Night (1977-1978). One year later, Shearer co-wrote the film Real Life (1979) with Albert Brooks.

Shearer was a cast member on Saturday Night Live between 1979 and 1980 and again from 1984 and 1985. In the interim, he co-wrote and co-starred in the iconic film This Is Spinal Tap (1984), a satirical rockumentary, and co-founded the same-titled band that the picture supposedly followed.

In 1989, Shearer joined the cast of the animated sitcom The Simpsons; since that time, he has provided voices for a plethora of characters including ruthless miser Mr. Burns, his clearly smitten Guy Friday Waylon Smithers, Principal Seymore Skinner (or, more accurately, Armin Tamzaria), and neighborino Ned Flanders.

Shearer’s other acting credits include the films The Fisher King (1991), The Truman Show (1988), and Father Figures (2017). Shearer is also a frequent collaborator with Christopher Guest (whom he worked alongside on This Is Spinal Tap). Their projects include Waiting for Guffman (1997), A Mighty Wind (2003), For Your Consideration (2006), and Mascots (2016).

Shearer is also a magazine and website columnist, a radio program host, a director, a documentary filmmaker, and an author. He has been married to Welsh singer-songwriter Judith Owen since 1993.

Entertainment Hub would like to wish Harry Shearer a very happy birthday, and you can too by clicking on the Twitter link below.