Harry Shearer, a white comedian and voice actor who has appeared in The Truman Show and The Simpsons, will no longer be voicing Springfield's most skilled doctor, Dr. Hibbert, who happens to be a Black character.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Shearer not only voiced Dr. Hibbert since 1990, he also voiced Ned Flanders and Principal Skinner.
Now, actor Kevin Michael Richardson who has had voice roles on The Simpsons in 2009, Family Guy, and The Cleveland Show, is assuming the role of Dr. Hibbert on the upcoming episode titled "Wad Goals" this Sunday, February 28.
WonderCon 2016 at the Los Angeles Convention Center on March 25, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Richardson will permanently play the part.
Before the current season in June 2020, The Simpsons released a statement about the show's future: "Moving forward, The Simpsons will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters."
Additionally, The Simpsons' decision to recast Shearer follows many other white voice actors after the Black Lives Matter protests last summer.
Notable people to step down are Jenny Slate, who resigned from the role of Missy Foreman-Greenwald onBig Mouth, Mike Henry relinquishing his part as Cleveland Brown on Family Guy, and Hank Azaria from his role as Indian character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon on The Simpsons.
All in all, it's great to see the strides to become more equal in the entertainment industry.
What are your thoughts about The Simpsons recast? How do you feel about Hollywood working towards representation in the industry?
Have you got something to say about this subject? Submit a post here and start the conversation.
- Harry Shearer no longer voicing black 'Simpsons' character ›
- 'The Simpsons' Actor Harry Shearer Not In Sync With Casting ... ›
- The Simpsons' Dr Hibbert: Harry Shearer replaced by black actor ... ›
- The Simpsons: Kevin Michael Richardson replaces Harry Shearer ... ›
- 'The Simpsons': Harry Shearer Stops Voicing Black Character ... ›