Unfortunately, the original voice behind Gribble isn’t here to see the show’s return. Voice actor Johnny Hardwick died in August 2023 at his home in Austin.
DALLAS — The King has returned.
The new season of “King of the Hill” dropped on Hulu on Monday, and the North Texas-inspired animated series brought back most of the same characters who were staples of its 13-year run on FOX, from 1997-2010.
But the return to Arlen wasn’t without a bittersweet note.
Hank Hill’s conspiracy-minded neighbor Dale Gribble is back again for Season 14, and, as we’ve learned, he even ran for mayor of Arlen while Hank was living overseas (we’ll limit the spoilers there).
Unfortunately, the voice behind Gribble isn’t here to see the show’s return. Voice actor Johnny Hardwick died in August 2023 at his home in Austin. While no cause of death was initially released, no foul play was suspected.
Hardwick’s death happened while the new season was still in production, although it appears he was able to record some lines for the new season.
Hardwick is credited with Gribble’s voice in six episodes on the new season, including the first three episodes and then episodes 5-7, according to IMBD. Toby Huss, who previously voiced characters Cotton Hill and Hank’s neighbor Khan Souphanousinphone, is credited with voicing Gribble on two episodes of the new season, the season premiere and episode No. 10.
The new season paid tribute to Hardwick at the end of episode No. 7, posting an “In Loving Memory” picture of Hardwick and his Gribble character (and, fittingly, the tribute happened after a book-burning scene in which Gribble’s cigarette ignited the flames.)
Hardwick was born in 1958 in Austin, Texas, and later attended Texas Tech University before working for a decade as a bartender in bars in Austin and Dallas, including the Greenville Bar and Grill. He also began performing stand-up comedy in 1990, performing in clubs around Austin and Dallas, including Dallas Improv, and was the first comedian to appear on “The Jon Stewart Show.”
Hardwick’s death wasn’t the only bittersweet element of the show’s return. Actor Jonathan Joss, who voiced John Redcorn, died in a shooting in San Antonio earlier this year. Also, Brittany Murphy, who voiced the Hills’ niece, Luanne Platter, and singer Tom Petty, who voiced Luanne’s boyfriend, had since passed away during the show’s 15-year absence.
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