'Simpsons' voice actors make deal with Fox

LOS ANGELES, June 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. actors who lend their voices to animated characters on "The Simpsons" reportedly have signed a four-year deal with 20th Century Fox Television.

Variety.com said the pact the voice stars signed was firmed up during the weekend.

Production on the iconic series has been delayed for months as a new contract was hammered out.

The new deal increases the actors' salaries to about $400,000 an episode. They previously earned per-episode paychecks in the mid-$300,000 range, the trade newspaper said.

"Simpsons" regulars Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer were expected to attend the season's first table read Monday, Variety.com said.