Last June, The Simpsons announced that white actors will no longer utter black characters in the program, and Harry Shearer has now been replaced by veteran voice actor Kevin Michael Richardson in the role of dr. Julius Hibbert, the Deadline confirmed.
Shearer was the voice of Dr. Hibbert since the character’s debut more than 30 years ago. Shearer will feature his other characters, including Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner and Mr. Burns, stay interpreted.
Fox confirmed to Deadline that the episode of “Diary Queen” last night with Shearer as the voice of Dr. Hibbert was his last, and Richardson will begin voicing the character on Sunday, February 28th.
The Simpsonsa new policy followed the announcement by Family Guy veteran Mike Henry last year that he would no longer voice the black Cleveland Brown character in Fox’s longtime animated hit. Hank Azaria also said in January last year that he would withdraw Indian retailer Apu after being heavily criticized.
Richardson receives a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2019 for releasing the character Rosie on Netflix F Is For Family. He also worked on Family Man, American Dad !, Guardians of the Galaxy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Bless the hearts, amongst other things.