Harry Julius Shearer was born on December 23, 1943, in Los Angeles, California. An American actor, comedian, musician, radio host, writer, and producer, Shearer began his entertainment career as a child actor, appearing in film and television productions during the 1950s. His early exposure to the industry laid the groundwork for a remarkably versatile career that would span more than six decades across radio, television, film, and music.

From 1969 to 1976, Shearer was a member of The Credibility Gap, a radio comedy group that helped establish his reputation as a sharp satirist. Following the group's breakup, he co-wrote the film Real Life (1979) with Albert Brooks and worked as a writer on Martin Mull's television series Fernwood 2 Night. These projects showcased his talent for comedy writing and performance, leading to broader opportunities in television.

Shearer served as a cast member on Saturday Night Live during two separate stints, from 1979 to 1980 and again from 1984 to 1985. In 1984, he co-created, co-wrote, and co-starred in This Is Spinal Tap, a satirical rockumentary that became a cult classic and one of the most celebrated comedies of its era. The film demonstrated his skill for improvisation and mockumentary storytelling, and it remains a defining achievement in his career.

In 1989, Shearer joined the cast of the animated sitcom The Simpsons, providing voices for a vast array of characters, including Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, Lenny Leonard, Kang, Principal Skinner, Kent Brockman, Otto Mann, Scratchy, and formerly Dr. Hibbert. His work on the long-running series made him a household name and earned him a Primetime Emmy Award along with several other Emmy and Grammy Award nominations.

Beyond The Simpsons, Shearer has appeared in numerous films, including The Truman Show (1998) and A Mighty Wind (2003), and directed two films of his own, Teddy Bears' Picnic (2002) and The Big Uneasy (2010). Since 1983, he has hosted the public radio comedy and music program Le Show, a weekly broadcast that blends satire, music, and sketch comedy and has become a staple of his creative output. He has also written three books.

Shearer has been married to singer-songwriter Judith Owen since 1993. In 2013, he became an artist in residence at Loyola University in New Orleans, reflecting his enduring connection to the city and its cultural life. With a career encompassing radio, television, film, music, and writing, Shearer remains one of the most distinctive and multifaceted figures in American entertainment.