Harry Shearer -- who voices Smithers, Mr. Burns and several other major characters on "The Simpsons" -- says he is willing to take an even BIGGER pay cut than FOX wants him to ... but he has a demand of his own.
Shearer and the rest of the cast have been asked to take a 45% reduction in salary in order for the show to continue. Shearer says he's willing to cut his salary a whopping 70% -- but he wants a percentage of the show's profits ... something he says the cast has been denied for years.
Shearer says his reps approached FOX with the idea ... but were told there are "simply no circumstances under which the network would consider allowing me or any of the actors to share in the show’s success."
Ironically, Mr. Burns would probably have the same answer.
FOX has no comment.