Dan Castellaneta is an American film, stage and television actor, comedian, voice artist and television writer. Born in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park, Illinois, Castellaneta started taking acting classes at a young age. After graduating from Northern Illinois University, Castellaneta joined Chicago's Second City in 1983, and performed with the troupe until 1987. He was cast in The Tracey Ullman Show, which debuted in 1987. The Tracey Ullman Show included a series of animated shorts about a dysfunctional family. Voices were needed for the shorts, so the producers decided to ask Castellaneta to voice Homer. His voice for the character started out as a loose impression of Walter Matthau, but later evolved into a more robust voice. The shorts would eventually be spun-off into The Simpsons and he has won three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for his work on the show as well as an Annie Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in the Field of Animation in 1993. Along with his wife Deb Lacusta, Castellaneta has written four episodes of The Simpsons.

Castellaneta has also had roles in several other television programs, including the live-action sitcom Sibs and the animated series Dynamo Duck, Darkwing Duck, Back to the Future: The Animated Series, Earthworm Jim, Aladdin and Hey Arnold!. In 1999, he appeared in the Christmas special Olive, the Other Reindeer and won an Annie Award for his portrayal of the Postman. Castellaneta has also released a comedy CD, I Am Not Homer, and wrote and stars in a one man play titled Where Did Vincent van Gogh?

Born October 29, 1957 his primary personality traits are represented by the Chinese Zodiac elemental animal sign, the Fire Rooster. There is no shortage of action with the Fire Rooster. He does get things going and make sure everyone else is motivated as well. He can be a fault finder with a temper; so, things better go right. When he is under control he can be very charismatic and an exceptional leader. He has tendency to argue however, and he needs to tread lightly around him for the sake of group harmony.