The Simpsons' Dr Hibbert: Harry Shearer replaced by black actor Kevin Michael Richardson

Posted 13 days ago

From WWW.MSN.COM

After more than 30 years playing Dr Julius Hibbert on The Simpsons, Harry Shearer will be replaced by voice actor Kevin Michael Richardson – seven months after the show’s producers committed to no longer have white actors voicing black characters.

On Monday, Fox confirmed the episode that aired last night in the United States, Dairy Queen, would be Shearer’s last as Hibbert. From Sunday, the doctor will be played by Richardson instead. Shearer will continue voicing his other characters, which include Mr Burns, Smithers, Principal Skinner, Ned Flanders and Reverend Lovejoy.

The Simpsons’ commitment in June came amid the renewed Black Lives Matter movement and the associated racial reckoning in the media, pop culture and beyond. It followed white voice actors including Mike Henry (Cleveland Brown) of Family Guy, Kristen Bell (Molly Tillerman) of Central Park and Jenny Slate (Missy) of Big Mouth stepping down from their roles playing people of colour.

Earlier last year, Hank Azaria said he would no longer play the character of Indian convenience store owner Apu, following years of public pressure. “I think the most important thing is to listen to Indian people and their experience with it,” Azaria told Stephen Colbert at ... (Read more)

The Simpsons' Dr Hibbert: Harry Shearer replaced by black actor Kevin Michael Richardson

From WWW.MSN.COM

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