Johnny Hardwick, the talented voice actor and comedian renowned for his role as Dale Gribble on the beloved animated sitcom “King of the Hill,” has sadly passed away at the age of 64. Police confirmed that Hardwick was found deceased at his residence in Austin, Texas, during a welfare check. Authorities have ruled out any foul play, but the exact cause of death is still pending investigation by the local medical examiner’s office.
In a heartfelt statement, 20th Television Animation and Hulu, who recently announced a reboot of “King of the Hill,” expressed their deep sorrow at the loss of Johnny Hardwick. They praised him as “one of the animation greats” and highlighted his tremendous talent, brilliant humor, and the lasting friendship he formed with the show’s cast and crew over his remarkable 25-year tenure. Hardwick’s portrayal of Dale Gribble gave life to one of the series’ most iconic characters, and his absence will be felt deeply.
Unfortunately, Hardwick had not completed his voice work for the upcoming revival of “King of the Hill” prior to his passing. It is a bittersweet reminder of the incredible contributions he made to the show throughout its original 13-season run, totaling over 250 episodes. The critically acclaimed series, which aired from 1997 to 2010, earned two Primetime Emmy Awards. Hardwick’s involvement extended beyond voice acting; he also served as a writer, editor, and producer for the program.
Dale, Hardwick’s character, became a fan favorite. A chain-smoking, sunglasses-clad exterminator, bounty hunter, and conspiracy theorist, Dale lived next door to his best friend, Hank Hill, a propane and propane accessories salesman, in the fictional town of Arlen. Hardwick revealed that he started his journey on the show as a writer but quickly transitioned to voicing Dale, a role he was passionate about. He resonated with the character’s government conspiracy theories, which aligned with his personal interests.
After the conclusion of “King of the Hill,” Hardwick continued to embody Dale in videos on his YouTube channel, allowing fans to enjoy his brilliant comedic talent. Following the news of his untimely death, many of his fellow cast members took to social media to pay tribute to him. Pamela Adlon, who won an Emmy for her portrayal of Bobby Hill, shared a touching photo of herself with Hardwick and others from the show, reminiscing about their last time together. Breckin Meyer, who voiced Dale’s son, expressed his gratitude for having Hardwick as his on-screen father for almost a decade, emphasizing how much he will be missed.
Johnny Hardwick’s passing is a great loss to the entertainment industry and to fans of “King of the Hill” worldwide. His extraordinary contributions and lasting impact will be remembered, ensuring that his legacy as a talented voice actor and comedian lives on.
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