Last June, The Simpsons announced that white actors would no longer be giving voice to black characters on the show, and now Harry Shearer has been replaced by veteran voice actor Kevin Michael Richardson in the role of Dr. Julius Hibbert, Deadline confirmed.
Shearer has been the voice of Dr. Hibbert since the character’s debut more than 30 years ago. Shearer will continue to voice his other characters, including Ned Flanders, Director Skinner and Mr. Burns.
Fox confirmed to Deadline that last night’s episode of “Diary Queen” featuring Shearer as Dr. Hibbert’s voice was the last, and Richardson will assume the character’s voice starting on Sunday, February 28th.
The SimpsonsThe new policy followed the announcement of Family Guy veteran Mike Henry last year that he would no longer give voice to the black character Cleveland Brown in Fox’s longtime success. Hank Azaria also said last January that he would stop giving voice to owner of an Indian-American convenience store Apu, after being severely criticized for it.
Richardson received a Primetime Emmy nomination 2019 for voicing the character Rosie on Netflix’s F is for the family. He also worked on Family Guy, American Dad !, Guardians of the Galaxy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Bless the Harts, among others.