UPDATED: “The Simpsons” has lost one of its most recognizable voices. Harry Shearer, who voices Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders and Principal Skinner, is leaving Fox’s animated series after 26 seasons. 
 
 He tweeted the news on Wednesday night. 
 
 “This because I wanted what we’ve always had: the freedom to do other work,” he wrote. 
 
 His message suggested that his departure was over a contract dispute. Shearer wrote that the lawyer for “Simpsons” producer James L. Brooks’ delivered the news: “‘Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best.'” 
 
 “Simpsons” exec producers Matt Groening, Al Jean and Brooks confirmed the news, releasing a statement that read “Harry Shearer was offered the same deal the rest of the cast accepted, and passed. The show will go on and we wish him well. Maggie took it hard.” 
 
 They added that the show will recast characters like Burns and Flanders “with the finest voiceover talent available” rather than killing them off. 
 
 Fox recently renewed the venerable series for two more seasons through 2017. 
 
 Brooks made a public appeal to keep negotiations going on Twitter on Thursday. “Hey, we tried. We’re still trying. Harry, no kidding, let’s talk,” he wrote. 
 
 The rest of the “Simpsons” voice cast recently signed two-year extensions, logging on for seasons 27 and 28. Production on season 27 has already begun without Shearer. 
 
 The show has survived contract issues before, although without losing its cast members. In 2011, 20th Century Fox Television looked to cut costs of the aging show by dealing a hefty pay cut to the voice cast. The cast did eventually agree to the cut after tense negotiations, though the salary reduction was not as steep as the studio originally proposed. 
 
 The season 26 finale of “The Simpsons” will air Sunday on Fox. ||||| Sign up using Facebook 
 
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 Mr. Burns 
 
 “I want to die quietly on my own term crushing as many of those baby sea turtles as I possibly can.” 
 
 Kent Brockman 
 
 “Oh, yes, by the way, the spacecraft still in extreme danger, may not make it back, attempting risky reentry, bla bla bla bla bla bla. We'll see you after the movie.” 
 
 Hans Sprungfeld 
 
 “Well then, we'll form our own town. Who will come and live a life devoted to chastity, abstinence, and a flavorless mush I call rootmarm?” 
 
 Dewey Largo 
 
 “"Lisa, do you find something funny about the word tromboner?" from Wayne Goodman” 
 
 Zoowarter 
 
 “Add your favorite Zoowarter quote here, just be the first to send us your quote.” 
 
 The Devil 
 
 “Remember! Lie, cheat, steal and listen to heavy metal music!” 
 
 Lawyer 
 
 “Add your favorite Lawyer quote here, just be the first to send us your quote.” 
 
 Sanjay Nahasapeemapetilon 
 
 “All right. But if I don't make it, promise you won't sleep with my wife.” 
 
 Roy Snyder 
 
 “Well, you look like a good student, what with those glasses, and I suppose boys will be boys. Case dismissed.” 
 
 Mr. Pringles 
 
 “Add your favorite Mr. Muntz quote here, just be the first to send us your quote.” 
 
 Mr. Muntz 
 
 “Add your favorite Mr. Muntz quote here, just be the first to send us your quote.” 
 
 Mr. Dondelinger 
 
 “Wait a second. Is that a bong-g? ... You have asthma? All right. Move along.” 
 
 Moderator #4 
 
 “"And a bariage of pretzels now knocking Whitey Unconscious." from Tom Cook” 
 
 Kang 
 
 “If you can think of a better way of exchanging long protein strands, I'd like to hear it!”
– While Homer and Bart Simpson might be glad to see the back of Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, and Reverend Lovejoy, can the show survive without the man who voices them and at least 20 other recurring characters? Harry Shearer, who has voiced an impressive range of characters on The Simpsons for 26 seasons, is leaving the show, which Fox recently renewed for two more seasons, Variety reports. His other regular characters include Otto, Smithers, and Dr. Hibbert, as well as more rarely seen ones like Satan, Adolf Hitler, Bill Clinton, and George Bush, according to his website. Shearer appears to be leaving over a contract dispute: In a series of tweets last night, he quoted producer James L. Brooks as saying "show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best." Shearer added: "This because I wanted what we've always had: the freedom to do other work" and thanked Simpsons fans for their support. Trouble seems to have been brewing for a while, the Hollywood Reporter notes: He was the only holdout in recent negotiations and tweeted "Doesn't this show have a cast?" after the renewal was announced last week. (Check out 14 interesting facts about The Simpsons.)