Charles Montgomery "Monty" Burns, usually referred to as
Mr. Burns, is a recurring
fictional characterA character is the representation of a person in a narrative or dramatic work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr through its Latin transcription character, the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its...
and
antagonistAn antagonist is a character, group of characters, or an institution, who represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...
in the
animated television series The SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated television sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its eponymous family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie...
, who is voiced by
Harry ShearerHarry Julius Shearer is an American actor, comedian, writer, voice artist, musician, author and radio host. He is known for his long-running role on The Simpsons, his work on Saturday Night Live, the comedy band Spinal Tap and his radio program Le Show...
and previously
Christopher CollinsChristopher Charles Collins , born Christopher Lawrence Latta, and also known as Chris Latta, was an American actor, voice artist and comedian, perhaps best known as the voice of Cobra Commander on the G.I. Joe animated series and as the voice of Starscream in the first Transformers animated series...
. Mr. Burns is the intensely evil owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and
Homer SimpsonHomer Jay Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and father of the eponymous family. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared on television, along with the rest of his family, in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
's boss. He is attended at almost all times by
Waylon SmithersWaylon Smithers, Jr. is a recurring fictional character in the animated series The Simpsons, who is voiced by Harry Shearer. Smithers first appeared in the episode "Homer's Odyssey", although he could be heard in the series premiere "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". He is the consummate...
, his loyal and
sycophantIn a modern context a sycophant is a servile person who, acting in his or her own self-interest, attempts to win favor by flattering one or more influential persons, or by saying lies against a fellow citizen for gaining a kind of profit. These actions are executed at the cost of his or her own...
ic aide, advisor, confidant and secret admirer. He is generally considered to be the primary antagonist on the show.
Although originally conceived as a one-dimensional, recurring
villainA villain is an "evil" character in a story, whether a historical narrative or, especially, a work of fiction. The villain usually is the antagonist, the character who tends to have a negative effect on other characters...
who might occasionally enter the Simpsons' lives and wreak some sort of havoc, Burns' popularity has led to his repeated inclusion in episodes. He is a caricature of
Corporate AmericaCorporate America is an informal phrase describing the world of corporations within the United States not under government ownership. Its negative connotations imply financial or ideological self-interest, greed, resistance to entitlements and the irresponsible promotion of counter-socialist...
in his unquenchable desire to increase his own wealth and power, inability to remember his employees' names (including Homer's, despite frequent interactions) and lack of concern for their safety and well-being. Reflecting his extreme age, Burns is given to expressing dated humor, making references to pre-1950 popular culture, and aspiring to apply obsolete technology to everyday life.
Burns'
trademarkA trademark or trade mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or services from...
expression is the word "Excellent", muttered slowly in a low, sinister voice while tenting his fingertips. He frequently orders Smithers to "release the hounds", so as to let his vicious guard dogs attack any intruders, enemies or even invited guests. Mr. Burns is Springfield's richest and most powerful citizen; his current
net worthIn business, net worth is the total assets minus total outside liabilities of an individual or a company. For a company, this is called shareholders' preference and may be referred to as book value. Net worth is stated as at a particular year in time. In the case of an individual, the term estate...
has been given as $996 million. He uses his power and wealth to do whatever he wants, usually without regard for consequences and without interference from the authorities. These qualities led
Wizard Magazine to rate him the 45th greatest villain of all time.
Role in The Simpsons
Burns spends most of time in his office, at the nuclear plant, monitoring his workers via closed circuit cameras. In his office he keeps a team of ten high-priced
lawyerA lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person licensed to practice law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain stability, and deliver...
s, a scale model of Springfield, a special microbe-resistant chamber, a two-seat
escape podAn escape pod is a capsule or craft used to escape a vessel in an emergency, usually only big enough for one person. An escape ship is a larger, more complete craft also used for the same purpose...
(he likes to put his feet up), and the "League of Evil" - a sinister
cabalA cabal is a number of people united in some close design, usually to promote their private views and interests in a church, state, or other community, often by intrigue...
whose members are long deceased but whose skeletons remain. Burns is also a member of the local
MugwumpThe Mugwumps were Republican political activists who supported Democratic candidate Grover Cleveland in the United States presidential election of 1884. They switched parties because they rejected the financial corruption associated with Republican candidate James G. Blaine...
s and the Stonecutters. He has also owned or co-owned a number of business ventures in Springfield, including the Monty Burns Casino,
"Li'l Lisa" recycling"The Old Man and the Lisa" is the twenty-first episode of The Simpsons
' eighth season, first aired by the Fox network on April 20, 1997. In the episode, Mr. Burns becomes bankrupt and asks Lisa to help him become rich again. On the condition that he will lose his evil manners she...
, an ocean
slurryA slurry is, in general, a thick suspension of solids in a liquid.-Examples of slurries:Examples of slurries include:* A mixture of water and cement to form concrete* A mixture of water, gelling agent, and oxidizers used as an explosive...
manufacturing plant,
Burns Slant Drilling Co.class="infobox" style="width: 20em; text-align: left; font-size: 90%" cellspacing="2"! style="font-size: 120%; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | The Simpsons episode|- ! style="font-size: 110%; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | "Who Shot Mr. Burns?"|-...
,
Burns Media"Fraudcast News" is the 22nd and last episode of The Simpsons
' fifteenth season, first aired on May 23, 2004 in the United States on the FOX network...
, and a basketball team.
At a young age Mr. Burns left his family to live with his grandfather, a twisted and heartless billionaire who owned an atom mill in Springfield. He lived a life of privilege and would amuse himself by injuring immigrant laborers. Mr. Burns later attended
Yale UniversityYale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut, and a member of the Ivy League. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Yale has produced many notable alumni, including five...
where he studied both science and business, and graduated in 1914. He was also a member of the nation's most famous college
secret societySecret society is a term used to describe a variety of organizations. Although the exact meaning of the term is disputed, several of the definitions advanced indicate a degree of secrecy and secret knowledge, which might include denying membership or knowledge of the group, negative consequences...
,
Skull and BonesSkull and Bones is a secret society at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. The society's alumni organization, which owns the society's real property and oversees the organization, is the Russell Trust Association, named for General William Huntington Russell, who co-founded Skull and Bones...
. In 1939, at his 25-year
collegeCollege is a term most often used today to denote degree awarding tertiary educational institution. More broadly, it can be the name of any group of colleagues, for example, an electoral college, a College of Arms or the College of Cardinals...
reunion, he became romantically involved with the daughter of an old flame. She would later bear his child,
Larry Burns"Burns, Baby Burns" is the fourth episode of The Simpsons
' eighth season, first aired by the Fox network on November 17, 1996. Mr. Burns' long lost son Larry returns and although they at first get along well, Mr. Burns begins to see that his son has turned out to be an oaf. It was...
, who was given up for
adoptionAdoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another who is not kin and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
and would later enter Mr. Burns' life briefly. Burns has been engaged at least three times: a woman named Gertrude who died of loneliness and
rabiesRabies is a viral neuroinvasive disease that causes acute encephalitis in warm-blooded animals. It is zoonotic , most commonly by a bite from an infected animal but occasionally by other forms of contact...
, to
Marge SimpsonMarjorie "Marge" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the eponymous family. She is voiced by actress Julie Kavner and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
's mother Jacqueline Bouvier, and to a policewoman named Gloria.
During
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Burns served in the
United States ArmyThe United States Army is the branch of the United States Military responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military and is one of seven uniformed services...
as a member of Springfield's Flying Hellfish squad under
SergeantSergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
Abraham SimpsonAbraham Jay Simpson , commonly called Abe Simpson or Grampa, is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons. He is the patriarch of the Simpson family, the father of Homer Simpson, and the grandfather of Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson...
and saw action in the
ArdennesThe Ardennes is a region of extensive forests, rolling hills and old mountains formed on the Givetian Ardennes mountains, primarily in Belgium and Luxembourg, but stretching into France , and geologically into the Eifel...
during the
Battle of the BulgeThe Ardennes Offensive was a major German offensive , launched towards the end of World War II through the forested Ardennes Mountains region of Belgium , France and Luxembourg on the Western Front...
.. Later on he was shipped to the Pacific Theater and was a co-pilot along with Abe Simpson and Cyrus Simpson. Burns and Abe were shot down by a kamikaze and stuck on an island for what seemed like years. At the end of World War II he was personally hired by President
Harry S. TrumanHarry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice-president and the 34th Vice President of the United States, he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
to transport a specially-printed trillion-dollar bill to
EuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally divided from Asia to its east by the water divide of the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains , and the Black Sea to the southeast...
as the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' contribution to the
reconstruction of EuropeThe Marshall Plan was the primary plan of the United States for rebuilding and creating a stronger foundation for the countries of Western Europe, and repelling communism after World War II...
. As the United States' richest citizen, Burns was thought to be the most trustworthy. Burns absconded with the bill and kept it in his possession for many years until it was lost to
Fidel CastroFidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban politician, one of the primary leaders of the Cuban Revolution, the Prime Minister of Cuba from February 1959 to December 1976, and then the President of the Council of State of Cuba until his resignation from the office in February 2008...
in "
The Trouble with Trillions"The Trouble with Trillions" is the twentieth episode of the ninth season of the animated television series The Simpsons, which originally aired April 5, 1998. It was written by Ian Maxtone-Graham and directed by Swinton O. Scott III...
".
Mr. Burns' extreme old age is a frequent source of humor on the show, he is occasionally referred to as "Springfield's oldest resident" but his exact age is uncertain. In "
Simpson and Delilah"Simpson and Delilah" is the second episode of The Simpsons
' second season and first aired on October 18, 1990. Homer uses the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant medical insurance plan to buy dimoxinil, a miracle hair growth formula. Homer grows hair, and is given a promotion at work...
" he said he was 81 years of age, while in "
The Mansion Family"The Mansion Family" is the twelfth episode of The Simpsons' eleventh season. The episode aired on January 23, 2000. This episode features the voice of Britney Spears as herself.-Plot:...
", he said he was over 100 years old. In several episodes, including "
Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One)class="infobox" style="width: 20em; text-align: left; font-size: 90%" cellspacing="2"! style="font-size: 120%; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | The Simpsons episode|- ! style="font-size: 110%; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | "Who Shot Mr. Burns?"|-...
", "
Homer the Smithers"Homer the Smithers" is the 17th episode of The Simpsons' seventh season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 25, 1996. In this episode, Mr. Burns learns to take care of himself, rendering Smithers redundant. As a result, Homer helps Smithers get...
", and "
A Hunka Hunka Burns in Love"A Hunka Hunka Burns in Love" is the fourth episode of the thirteenth season of the animated television series The Simpsons. This episode marks the 50th episode written by John Swartzwelder...
" his age is specifically stated to be 104.
Burns resides in a vast, ornate
mansionA mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. realtors define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
on an immense estate called
Burns Manor, located at 1000 Mammon Street, on the corner of
CroesusCroesus was the king of Lydia from 560 to 546 BC until his defeat by the Persians in about 547 BC. The fall of Croesus made a profound impact on the Hellenes, providing a fixed point in their calendar. "By the fifth century at least," J.A.S...
and
MammonMammon is a term, derived from the Christian Bible, used to describe material wealth or greed, most often personified as a deity. The word itself is a transliteration from the Hebrew word "mammon" , which means "money."-Definition:...
streets in the 'Springfield Heights' district. It is protected by a high wall, an electrified fence, and a pack of vicious attack dogs known as "The Hounds". At times he has employed for protection a force of
Wizard of OzThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W.W. Denslow. It was originally published by the George M...
-style flying-monkey guards, a personal paramilitary force, a riot police squad, and a
robotA robot is a virtual or mechanical artificial agent. In practice, it is usually an electro-mechanical machine which is guided by computer or electronic programming, and is thus able to do tasks on its own...
ic
Richard SimmonsMilton Teagle Simmons , known professionally as Richard Simmons, is an American fitness personality who promotes weight-loss programs, most famously through his aerobics videos and eccentric personality...
. The inside of the mansion includes a room containing
a thousand monkeys at a thousand typewritersThe infinite monkey theorem states that a monkey hitting keys at random on a typewriter keyboard for an infinite amount of time will almost surely type a given text, such as the complete works of William Shakespeare....
, a bottomless pit, a human
chessChess is a board game played between two players. The current form of the game emerged in Southern Europe during the second half of the 15th century after evolving from a similar, much older game of Indian origin...
board, the largest
televisionTelevision is a widely used telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images, either monochromatic or color, usually accompanied by sound. "Television" may also refer specifically to a television set, television programming or television transmission...
in the
free worldThe free world is a Cold War-era propaganda term used by the United States and its allies to describe non-communist countries collectively.The term was used to imply the greater personal freedoms enjoyed by citizens of non-communist countries that were democratic, such as the United States, Canada,...
, a 'Hall of Patriots' commemorating his ancestors, a laboratory, a botanical garden of vultures bearing his likeness, a safe containing a
Beefeater"Beefeater" redirects here. For other uses, see Beefeater .The Yeomen Warders of Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, popularly known as the Beefeaters, are ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London...
guard, a model train that takes 3 hours and 47 minutes to complete its circuit and comes back with snow on it, and a theater showing round-the-clock plays regardless of whether there is an audience.
Mr. Burns routinely subjects Springfield and its residents to his abuse and, as a result, there is a general dislike of him throughout the town. Burns has
blackmailBlackmail is the crime of threatening to reveal substantially true information about a person to the public, a family member, or associates unless a demand made upon the victim is met. This information is usually of an embarrassing and/or socially damaging nature...
ed and bribed various officials in Springfield, including Mayor Quimby and its
nuclear safety inspectorsNuclear Regulatory Commission is a United States government agency that was established by the Energy Reorganization Act in 1974, and was first opened January 19, 1975. The NRC took over the role of oversight of nuclear energy matters and nuclear safety from the AEC, or Atomic Energy Commission...
. He employed his wealth to make an ultimately unsuccessful run for
state governorIn the United States, the title governor refers to the chief executive of each state or insular territory, not directly subordinate to the federal authorities, but the political and ceremonial head of the state.-Role and powers:...
-only -like
Charles Foster KaneCharles Foster Kane II is a fictional character and the subject of Orson Welles's 1941 film Citizen Kane. Welles played Kane , with Buddy Swan playing Kane as a child. Welles also co-wrote and directed the film.-Biography:...
- to be denied his chance to be Governor by
Marge SimpsonMarjorie "Marge" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the eponymous family. She is voiced by actress Julie Kavner and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
; Burns vows for the rest of his life to make the rest of Homer Simpson's life miserable. He once blocked out the sun to force Springfield residents to increase their use of
electricityElectricity is a general term that encompasses a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge...
produced by his Nuclear Plant and was subsequently shot by
MaggieMargaret "Maggie" Simpson is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons. She first appeared on television in the Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987. Maggie was created and designed by cartoonist Matt Groening while he was waiting in the lobby of James...
.
Burns' state of mind is the subject of frequent jokes on the show. At times, he appears to be completely removed from reality and modern conventions. He continually fails to recognize Homer Simpson or remember his name, even though many of the recent major events in Burns' life have involved Homer in some way. Burns is for the most part unaware of the townspeople's general dislike of him. He also displays mannerisms which are considered outdated, such as practicing
phrenologyPhrenology is a hypothesis stating that the personality traits of a person can be derived from the shape of the skull. It is now considered a pseudoscience. Developed by German physician Franz Joseph Gall in 1796, the discipline was very popular in the 19th century...
, writing with a quill pen, driving a
Stutz BearcatThe original Stutz Bearcat was produced from 1912 through 1916 by Stutz Motor Company. It used a 6388 cc I4 engine. Later models were produced through the early 20s...
while wearing an Edwardian motorist's outfit which includes hat, driving gloves, and goggles; and using terms such as 'deceleratrix' (brake) and 'petroleum distillate' {his driver's license expired in 1909}, carrying a mace for self defense (though the weapon actually shown was a
flailThe Military Flail or simply Flail is a weapon commonly attributed to the Middle-Ages but for which only a limited amount of historical evidence currently exists for most of this era. There is evidence for the long-handled flail as a weapon of war from Germany and Central Europe in the later Middle...
), driving without regard to traffic laws in the manner of early 20th century motorists, and using an antique
view cameraThe view camera is a type of camera first developed in the era of the Daguerreotype and still in use today, though with many refinements. It comprises a flexible bellows which forms a light-tight seal between two adjustable standards, one of which holds a lens, and the other a viewfinder or a...
to take photographs. Burns refers to many celebrities of the early 20th century in present tense assuming they are still alive including
Louise BrooksMary Louise Brooks , generally known by her stage name Louise Brooks, was an American dancer, model, showgirl and silent film actress, famous for pioneering the bobbed haircut. Brooks is best known for her three feature roles including two G. W...
and
Rudolph ValentinoRudolph Valentino was an Italian actor, sex symbol, and early pop icon. Known as the "Latin Lover", he was one of the most popular stars of the 1920s, and one of the most recognized stars from the silent film era. He is best known for his work in The Sheik and The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse...
, although he does seem to remember that
Al JolsonAl Jolson was an American singer, comedian, and actor. According to PBS, he is considered the "first openly Jewish man to become an entertainment star in America"...
is dead, and is also unaware of several major historical events, including the extinction of the
DodoThe dodo was a flightless bird endemic to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. Related to pigeons and doves, it stood about a meter tall, weighing about , living on fruit and nesting on the ground....
, the Wall Street Crash and even the
two World WarsA world war is a war affecting the majority of the world's most powerful and populous nations. World wars span several continents, and last for multiple years...
, despite having fought in World War II, suggesting severe senility. Burns' state of mind is so out of touch with the current time that he once lost all of his money by investing in such companies as "Trans-Atlantic
ZeppelinFor the English rock group, please see Led Zeppelin. For other meanings please see Zeppelin .A Zeppelin is a type of rigid airship pioneered by the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin in the early 20th century. It was based on designs he had outlined in 1874 and detailed in 1893...
" and "Amalgamated
SpatsA spat is a type of shoe accessory covering the instep and ankle. Spats were primarily worn in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.- Spats as items of uniform :...
". He once tried to send packages to Siam and
PrussiaPrussia was a historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries this state had substantial influence on German and European history...
and still speaks of
autogyroAn autogyro, also known as gyroplane, gyrocopter, or rotaplane, is a type of rotorcraft which utilises an unpowered rotor in autorotation to develop lift, and an engine-powered propeller, similar to that of a fixed-wing aircraft, to provide thrust...
s and thinks
Mordecai BrownMordecai Peter Centennial Brown , nicknamed "Three Finger" or "Miner", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher at the turn of the 20th century. Due to a farm-machinery accident in his youth, Brown lost parts of two fingers on his right hand and eventually acquired his nickname as a result...
still plays baseball; he also became paranoid suspicious of Homer Simpson as a "communist" because Homer's white shirt was accidentally stained red because it was washed with Bart's red hat.
Burns has numerous physical ailments and health problems, to the point that he often seems to straddle the line between life and death. On prior occasions, he may have died. Presently he has a condition known as "
Three StoogesThe Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy act of the early to mid–20th century best known for their numerous short subject films. Their hallmark was physical farce.- Overview :...
Syndrome" wherein a delicate
homeostasisHomeostasis is the property of a system, either open or closed, that regulates its internal environment and tends to maintain a stable, constant condition...
is established by the presence in his body of every known disease and other newly-discovered diseases unique to him, which, all trying to attack his body simultaneously, mutually cancel each other. Mr. Burns interpreted this condition as indestructibility, although the
doctorA physician — also known as medical practitioner, doctor of medicine, medical doctor, or simply doctor — practices the ancient profession of medicine, which is concerned with maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease or injury...
who made the diagnosis suggested that the slightest
breezeA sea-breeze is a wind from the sea that develops over land near coasts. It is formed by increasing temperature differences between the land and water which create a pressure minimum over the land due to its relative warmth and forces higher pressure, cooler air from the sea to move inland...
could kill him. Physically weak, he often has difficulty performing such simple actions as giving a thumbs-up, receiving a
hugA hug is a form of physical intimacy that usually involves closing or holding the arms around another person or group of persons. The hug is one of the most common human signs of love and affection, along with kissing...
, crushing a
paper cupA paper cup is a disposable cup made out of paper and often lined with plastic or wax to prevent liquid from leaking out or soaking through the paper. It may be made of recycled paper and is widely used around the world.-History:...
, and crushing an
insectInsects are arthropods, having a hard exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae. They are the most diverse group of animals on the planet and include more than a million species that are already described. Insects represent more than half of all...
by stepping on it. He is light enough to be pushed over by an
antAnts are social insects of the family Formicidae , and along with the related wasps and bees, they belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise of flowering plants...
, a banknote or a high-five, carried away by a single
beeBees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila...
, or pushed down by a
spongeA sponge is a tool, implement, utensil or cleaning aid consisting of porous material. Sponges are used for cleaning impervious surfaces. They are especially good absorbers of water and water-based solutions....
resting on his
headIn anatomy, the head of an animal is the rostral part that usually comprises the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth...
while taking a bath-in which Burns nearly drowned.
Creation
Burns's character, appearance, and mannerisms are based on several different persons. The show's creator
Matt GroeningMatthew Abram "Matt" Groening is an American cartoonist, screenwriter and producer. He is the creator of the comic strip Life in Hell and the television series The Simpsons and Futurama....
principally based Burns on
Fredrik OlsenThomas Fredrik Olsen or Fred. Olsen is a Norwegian shipping magnate and Chairman of the companies in the Fred. Olsen Group. He is the fourth generation running the Fred. Olsen Group, founded by his great grandfather Petter Olsen and named after his grandfather Thomas Fredrik Olsen...
, a reclusive
NorwegianNorway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a country in Northern Europe occupying the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, as well as Jan Mayen and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard under the Spitsbergen Treaty...
shipping magnate and the owner of
TimexTimex Group B.V. is the parent of Timex Group USA, Inc. The latter is located in Middlebury, Connecticut, and began in 1854 as Waterbury Clock in Connecticut's Naugatuck Valley, known during the nineteenth century as the "Switzerland of America." Sister company Waterbury Watch manufactured the...
. Drawing further inspiration from oil tycoon
John D. RockefellerJohn Davison Rockefeller was an American industrialist. Rockefeller revolutionized the petroleum industry and defined the structure of modern philanthropy. In 1870, he founded the Standard Oil Company and aggressively ran it until he officially retired in 1897. Standard Oil began as an Ohio...
and fictional character
Henry PotterHenry F. Potter is a fictional character in the 1946 Frank Capra film It's a Wonderful Life. He occupies slot #6 on the American Film Institute's list of the 50 Greatest Villains in American film history . Mr...
from
It's a Wonderful LifeIt's a Wonderful Life is an American drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra and loosely based on the short story "The Greatest Gift" written by Philip Van Doren Stern....
, Groening made Burns the "embodiment of corporate greed". Animator
David SilvermanDavid Silverman is an animator best known for directing numerous episodes of the animated TV series The Simpsons, as well as The Simpsons Movie...
parodied Burns's appearance on
FoxThe Fox Broadcasting Company , commonly referred to as Fox , is an American television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, from 2004 to 2009 Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the 18–49 demographic...
founder
Barry DillerBarry Charles Diller is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IAC/InterActiveCorp and the media executive responsible for the creation of Fox Broadcasting Company and USA Broadcasting.-Early life:...
, and modeled his body on a praying mantis. The idea of Burns reading employee names off cards in "
There's No Disgrace Like Home"There's No Disgrace Like Home" is the fourth episode of The Simpsons
' first season. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 28, 1990. In the episode, Homer becomes ashamed of his family after a catastrophic company picnic and decides to enroll them in...
" came from an article about
Ronald ReaganRonald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States and the 33rd Governor of California .Born in Tampico, Illinois, Reagan moved to Los Angeles, California in the 1930s...
that writer
Al JeanAl Jean is an American screenwriter and producer, best known for his work on The Simpsons.-Biography:...
had read. In some episodes, parallels have been drawn between Burns and moguls such as
Howard HughesHoward Robard Hughes, Jr. was an American aviator, engineer, industrialist, film producer, film director, philanthropist, and one of the wealthiest people in the world. He gained fame in the late 1920s as a maverick film producer, making big budget and often controversial films like Hell's Angels,...
and, more frequently, fictional character
Charles Foster KaneCharles Foster Kane II is a fictional character and the subject of Orson Welles's 1941 film Citizen Kane. Welles played Kane , with Buddy Swan playing Kane as a child. Welles also co-wrote and directed the film.-Biography:...
from
Citizen KaneCitizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film, and the first feature film directed by Orson Welles. It was nominated for Academy Awards in nine categories, but won only for Best Original Screenplay by Herman Mankiewicz and Welles...
. Writer
George MeyerGeorge A. Meyer is an American producer and writer. Raised in Tucson, Arizona in a Roman Catholic family, Meyer attended Harvard University. There, after becoming president of the Harvard Lampoon, he graduated in 1978 with a degree in biochemistry. Abandoning plans to attend medical school, Meyer...
lifted Burns's "Excellent!" hand gesture from his former
Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live is a weekly late-night sketch comedy and variety show filmed in New York City. It made its debut on October 11, 1975, under a slightly different title. The show features a regular cast of comedy actors, joined by a guest host and musical act...
colleague Jim Downey.
Matt Groening got Burns's middle name from a
Montgomery WardMontgomery Ward is an online retailer that carries the same name as the former American department store chain, founded as the world's first mail order business in 1872 by Aaron Montgomery Ward, and which went out of business in 2001...
department store in
PortlandPortland is a city located in the Northwestern United States, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the state of Oregon. As of July 2008, it has an estimated population of 575,930, making it the 29th most populous in the United States. It has been referred to as the most...
,
OregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
's
Northwest IndustrialNorthwest Industrial is an almost entirely industrial neighborhood in the Northwest section of Portland. According to the Portland Bureau of Planning, it "is one of the few remaining large urban industrial districts in the United States" and "one of the premier heavy industrialdistricts in the...
district and his surname from Burnside Street, a main thoroughfare in downtown Portland. Burns's first name being Charles is a reference to Charles Foster Kane. In the script for "
There's No Disgrace Like Home"There's No Disgrace Like Home" is the fourth episode of The Simpsons
' first season. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 28, 1990. In the episode, Homer becomes ashamed of his family after a catastrophic company picnic and decides to enroll them in...
", Al Jean and Mike Reiss referred to him as "Mr. Meanie".
In the second season, the writers started to enjoy writing about
SmithersWaylon Smithers, Jr. is a recurring fictional character in the animated series The Simpsons, who is voiced by Harry Shearer. Smithers first appeared in the episode "Homer's Odyssey", although he could be heard in the series premiere "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". He is the consummate...
and Burns's relationship, and they often pitched episodes with them as the focus, but many never came to fruition.
Voice
Burns was originally voiced by actor
Christopher CollinsChristopher Charles Collins , born Christopher Lawrence Latta, and also known as Chris Latta, was an American actor, voice artist and comedian, perhaps best known as the voice of Cobra Commander on the G.I. Joe animated series and as the voice of Starscream in the first Transformers animated series...
in the episode "Homer's Odyssey". He was soon replaced by
Harry ShearerHarry Julius Shearer is an American actor, comedian, writer, voice artist, musician, author and radio host. He is known for his long-running role on The Simpsons, his work on Saturday Night Live, the comedy band Spinal Tap and his radio program Le Show...
, who has voiced the character ever since. He modeled the voice on
Lionel BarrymoreLionel Barrymore was an American actor of stage, radio and film. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in A Free Soul .-Early life:...
and
Ronald ReaganRonald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States and the 33rd Governor of California .Born in Tampico, Illinois, Reagan moved to Los Angeles, California in the 1930s...
. Shearer is also the voice of
SmithersWaylon Smithers, Jr. is a recurring fictional character in the animated series The Simpsons, who is voiced by Harry Shearer. Smithers first appeared in the episode "Homer's Odyssey", although he could be heard in the series premiere "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". He is the consummate...
and is able to perform dialogue between the two characters in one take. Shearer said that Burns is the most difficult character for him to voice because it is rough on his vocal cords and he often needs to drink tea and honey to soothe his voice. He describes Burns as his favorite character, saying he "like[s] Mr. Burns because he is pure evil. A lot of evil people make the mistake of diluting it. Never adulterate your evil."
Reception
In 2006,
Wizard magazine rated Burns the 45th greatest villain of all time. In a 2007 article,
Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books and popular culture. Unlike celebrity-focused publications US Weekly, People, and In Touch Weekly, EWs primary concentration is on entertainment...
named
SmithersWaylon Smithers, Jr. is a recurring fictional character in the animated series The Simpsons, who is voiced by Harry Shearer. Smithers first appeared in the episode "Homer's Odyssey", although he could be heard in the series premiere "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". He is the consummate...
the 16th greatest sidekick of all time. They also described Smithers and Burns as being "TV's most functional dysfunctional couple". In a 2003 article,
EW also named "
Last Exit to Springfield"Last Exit to Springfield" is the seventeenth episode of The Simpsons
' fourth season which originally aired March 11, 1993. It was directed by Mark Kirkland and was the last episode written by Jay Kogen and Wallace Wolodarsky...
" the greatest episode of
The Simpsons. Other episodes which feature Burns placed on the list, including "
Rosebud"Rosebud" is the fourth episode of The Simpsons
' fifth season. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on October 21, 1993. The episode begins by showing how on the eve of his birthday, Mr. Burns starts to miss his childhood teddy bear Bobo...
", at number two, and the "
Who Shot Mr. Burns?class="infobox" style="width: 20em; text-align: left; font-size: 90%" cellspacing="2"! style="font-size: 120%; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | The Simpsons episode|- ! style="font-size: 110%; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | "Who Shot Mr. Burns?"|-...
" two-part episode, at number 25.
Vanity FairVanity Fair is an American Hollywood magazine of pop culture, fashion, and politics published by Condé Nast Publications. The present Vanity Fair has been published since 1981 and there have been editions for four European countries as well as the U.S. edition...
placed "Rosebud" first on their list of the top 25
The Simpsons episodes.
Forbes estimates Burns's net worth at $996 million, placing 13th on the 2008
Forbes Fictional 15The Forbes Fictional 15 is a list generated by Forbes magazine, that lists the 15 richest people in the realm of fiction. The members are characters from movies, books, cartoons and television...
list. Burns has been on the list since 1989 and has previously placed fifth in 2005, second in 2006 and sixth in 2007 when he was estimated to be worth $16.8 billion.
Burns's evil has made him a popular example of terrible television bosses. In 2006, outplacement firm
Challenger, Gray & ChristmasChallenger, Gray & Christmas, with headquarters located in Chicago, Illinois, is the oldest executive outplacement firm in the US. It has offices in 52 cities in the US and Canada, and has operations in Japan and Mexico. The firm also conducts regular surveys and issues reports on the state of the...
released a report saying that Burns was one of the eight worst bosses on television.
The News & ObserverThe News & Observer is the regional daily newspaper of the Research Triangle area of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The N&O, as it is popularly called, is based in Raleigh and also covers Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill. The paper also has substantial readership in the eastern portion of the...
named Burns the third worst boss, calling him "heartless, greedy and exceptionally ugly, Mr. Burns makes Ebenezer Scrooge seem downright lovely."
External links