Homer Simpson's Voice Wins Emmy

The man behind cartoon legend Homer Simpson's voice has won an EMMY-award for his work on animated series The Simpsons.

DAN CASTELLANETA - who also provides voices for KRUSTY THE CLOWN, GRAMPA SIMPSON, BARNEY GUMBLE, and GROUNDSKEEPER WILLY among others - will slam his co-star Harry Shearer for his outspoken comments on the show's "boring" storylines in his acceptance speech on Thursday (19AUG04).

Castellaneta says, "In a nutshell, I don't agree. Instead of just being in the Simpson's world, it's expanded out to Springfield,"

"I think Harry's issue is that the show isn't as grounded as it was in the first three or four seasons, that it's gotten crazy or a little more madcap. I think it organically changes to stay fresh.

"The Simpsons remains funny and surprising. I believe the show still breaks the mold in terms of storytelling. In the beginning, (executive producer) Matt Groening was there with a drawing of this family and said, 'Can you give me a voice for this guy?'

"I was trying to find something I was more comfortable with that had more power to it. So I had to drop the voice down. People will say to me, 'Boy, I'm glad they replaced the guy that was there that first season.' That was me!"

"I came to realize it's very rare for an actor to be part of anything that's incredibly successful. There are actors who have very big careers but have never been associated with a hit of this magnitude."

Debuting in December 1989, the series has become the longest-running sitcom ever and begins its 16th season on 14 November (04).