Harry Shearer

Harry Shearer, celebrated for his contributions to the mockumentary Spinal Tap and the long-running animated series The Simpsons, is a distinguished actor and comedian. Earlier in his profession, he lent his vocal abilities to dub various characters during the post-production phase of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.

Shearer's career began in his childhood, with performances across radio, television, and cinema. Throughout the 1970s, he honed his skills in comedy clubs and local radio stations, while also engaging in comedy writing. He accepted a minor role in 1977, contributing additional voices to what was then known as Star Wars.

Shearer attained widespread recognition in 1979 upon joining the ensemble of Saturday Night Live. His defining performances in This is Spinal Tap (1984) and The Simpsons (1989–2015), in addition to his NPR program Le Show (1983–present), have been cornerstones of his extensive and diverse career spanning film, television, and music.

In 2012, blogger Drew Stewart, in an attempt to confirm an online rumor, reached out to Shearer via Twitter, inquiring whether he had provided the voice for an imperial officer or a rebel in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. Shearer responded, confirming his involvement in providing voices for the film but unable to recall specifics regarding the lines or characters. Stewart documented this exchange on his blog, Cinetropolis. Fans have since identified Shearer's voice in the roles of Death Star officer Khurgee and rebel pilot Dex Tiree. Stewart also posited Devastator gunnery officer Hija as a potential role. Subsequently, some media sources have reported his involvement in these roles.