Waylon Joseph Smithers, Jr. (better known as "Mr. Smithers" or simply "Smithers") (born December 25, 1954) is a recurring character on The Simpsons. He is also a minor character in The Simpsons Movie. Smithers is Mr. Burns' deeply devoted personal assistant, executive, and self-proclaimed best friend. Burns, however, rarely views Smithers as worth any sort of genuine warmth or care,, and much of the humorous dynamic between the two characters comes from this tension. Early on in the series it was established that Smithers has a powerful crush on Burns. Smithers is the highest-profile gay character on the series; he officially came out in "The Burns Cage," though most people in Springfield (and fans of the show) were well aware before this. Smithers is generally portrayed as a nerd, someone awkward, uptight, and fragile. He is allergic to bee stings and has hypothyroidism, both of which can kill him. He is also lactose-intolerant. He has Springfield's largest collection of Malibu Stacy dolls. Smithers is the definition of neutral. He definitely doesn't agree with Burns' actions. However, he's in love with Burns and will do anything for Burns to like him. However, sometimes he's been hit hard and gave up like in Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One) where Burns says he'll block out the sun, or in Flaming Moe where Burns says Smithers means nothing to him.