Cast Of ‘Simpsons’ Get New Salary Of $400,000
20th century Fox and the voice cast of ‘The Simpsons’ have been negotiating for months to work out a new four year deal that would make everyone happy. The new pact states that the top actors of the show will make $400,000 per episode – which is lower than the $500,000 that the cast was asking for.
Additionally, Dan Castellaneta, who voices Homer Simpson and has written many “Simpsons” episodes over the years, is being named a consulting producer. Castellaneta and most of the other key “Simpsons” voice players — Julie Kavner (Marge), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Yeardley Smith (Lisa) and Hank Azaria (Moe) — are slated to begin work on the upcoming 20th season Tuesday.
As of Monday, the status of Harry Shearer, who voices Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders, among other characters, was unclear. Because of a last-minute snag, his deal did not close with the other cast members’, and it was not clear if he would show up for work on Tuesday.
As a result of the drawn-out contract negotiations, the upcoming season of “The Simpsons” has been reduced by two episodes to 20. While the deal makes the voice cast available for four more seasons, Fox has yet to order the animated comedy beyond season No. 20.