Mr. Burns

Mr. Burns
The Simpsons character
First appearance	"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" December 17, 1989
Created by	Matt Groening David Silverman George Meyer
Based on	Barry Diller & praying mantis (likeness) Lionel Barrymore & Ronald Reagan (voice)
Designed by	Matt Groening
Voiced by	Christopher Collins (1989–1990) Harry Shearer (1990–present)
In-universe information
Full name	Charles Montgomery Plantagenet Schicklgruber Burns
Gender	Male
Occupation	Owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant
Family	Clifford Burns (father) Daphne Charles (mother) George Burns (brother) Colonel Wainwright Montgomery Burns (paternal grandfather; adoptive father)
Spouse	Persephone Odair (ex-wife)
Children	Larry Burns (son)
Relatives	Evelyn Burns (paternal grandmother) Doreena Burns (paternal aunt) Jean-Claude Charles (maternal grandfather) Ophelia Charles (maternal grandmother)
Nationality	American
Age	81–120[1][2]

Charles Montgomery Plantagenet Schicklgruber "Monty" Burns,^[3][4] usually referred to as Mr. Burns or C. Montgomery Burns, is a recurring character in the animated television series The Simpsons, voiced initially by Christopher Collins and since by Harry Shearer. He is the mostly evil, devious, greedy, and wealthy owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and, by extension, Homer Simpson's boss. He is assisted at almost all times by Smithers, his loyal and sycophantic aide, adviser, confidant, and secret admirer. He is between 81 and 120 years old, though sometimes it's implied he's much older.^[1][2]

Although originally conceived as a one-dimensional, recurring dastardly villain who might occasionally enter the Simpsons' lives and wreak some sort of havoc, Mr. Burns's popularity has led to his repeated inclusion in episodes. He is a stereotype of corporate America in his unquenchable desire to increase his own wealth and power, inability to remember his employees' names (including Homer's, despite frequent interactions—which has become a recurrent joke) and lack of concern for their safety and well-being. Reflecting on his advanced age, Mr. Burns is given to expressing dated humor, making references to Jazz Age popular culture, and aspiring to apply obsolete technology to everyday life. Conan O'Brien has called Mr. Burns his favorite character to write for, due to his arbitrarily old age and extreme wealth.

Mr. Burns's trademark expression is the word "Excellent...", muttered slowly in a low, sinister voice while steepling his fingertips. He occasionally 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 (and also the richest person in Springfield's state; his current net worth has been given as $1.3 billion^[5] by Forbes, though it fluctuates wildly depending on the episode). 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. TV Guide named him #2 in their 2013 list of the 60 nastiest villains of all time.^[6] In 2016, Rolling Stone ranked him #8 of their "40 Greatest TV Villains of All Time".^[7]