Last night, veteran actor and voiceover artist, Harry Shearer took to twitter as he announced his departure from The Simpsons.
“From James L. Brooks’ lawyer: ‘show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best,’ wrote Shearer. This because I wanted what we’ve always had: the freedom to do other work. Of course, I wish him the very best.”
Shearer had been with The Simpsons since the show’s first season in 1989 and his impact on the series has been immeasurable. Shearer voiced numerous supporting characters including Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Waylon Smithers, Principal Skinner, Kent Brockman, Reverend Lovejoy, Dr. Hibbert, Lenny Leonard, Otto Mann, Rainier Wolfcastle, Dr. Marvin Monroe and several others.
Deadline reports that the reason that Shearer quit The Simpsons is that he refused to agree with the recording schedule laid out by Fox. The series was recently renewed for its 27th and 28th seasons.
Related: The Simpsons Co-Creator Sam Simon Passes Away At 59
“Harry Shearer was offered the same deal the rest of the cast accepted, and passed,” said The Simpsons showrunner Al Jean in a statement released by Fox. “The show will go on and we wish him well. Maggie took it hard.”
Jean indicated that Shearer’s characters will be recast instead of being killed off.
Shearer is the first major cast member to depart The Simpsons on his own terms. Phil Hartman and Marcia Wallace’s characters were written out of The Simpsons after their untimely deaths.
The Simpsons Season 27 will premiere this fall on Fox.
