Charles Montgomery Burns, normally referred to as Mr. Burns or "Monty" Burns is a recurring fictional character and antagonist in the animated television series The Simpsons, who is voiced by Harry Shearer and previously Christopher Collins. He is the owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and Homer Simpson's boss (and often his arch-nemesis). He is attended to at almost all times by Waylon Smithers, his loyal and sycophantic aide, advisor, confidant and secret admirer. Mr. Burns is Springfield's richest and most powerful citizen; Forbes estimates his net worth at $16.8 billion, placing number 2 on the Forbes Fictional 15 list. He uses his power and wealth to do routinely what he wants without thinking of consequences or interference from the authorities. These qualities led Wizard Magazine to rate him the 45th greatest villain of all time.
Although originally designed as a one-dimensional recurring villain who might occasionally enter the Simpsons' lives and wreak some sort of havoc, Burns' popularity has led to his repeated inclusion on the show. He embodies a number of characteristics about Corporate America, as he has an unquenchable desire to increase his own wealth and power. Mr. Burns also embodies the stereotype of a manager: he forgets his employees' names (especially Homer, despite the fact that they seem to interact on a daily basis) and is unconcerned for their safety and well-being. His age provides the writers a character with which to express dated humor and references to popular culture before the 1950s. His aspirations to apply obsolete technology to everyday life or references to Victorian era people or places provide a common source of humor on the show. Kent Brockman also credits Mr. Burns with having stolen Christmas from 1981 to 1985. Recently, he has become less evil and more eccentric.
His trademark expression is the word "Excellent," muttered slowly in a low, sinister voice while tenting his fingertips. He also frequently orders Smithers to "release the hounds," resulting in his vicious guard-hounds attacking intruders or people he hates. Another common catchphrase is spoken when he is told the man in question is Homer Simpson and says "Simpson, eh?"
