Voice Actor Johnny Hardwick, Known for Dale Gribble on ‘King of the Hill,’ Dies at 64
Austin, Texas – Johnny Hardwick, the talented voice behind the character Dale Gribble on the long-running animated series “King of the Hill,” has passed away at the age of 64. Hardwick voiced the chain-smoking exterminator for the entire 13-season run of the popular Fox show.
Hardwick’s death was confirmed by the Austin medical examiner’s office on Thursday. The details surrounding his death have not been released, but TMZ reported that he was found dead at his home in Austin on Tuesday with no foul play suspected.
In addition to his voice acting work, Hardwick also served as a writer, story editor, and producer on “King of the Hill.” He brought the conspiracy theorist character to life from 1997 to 2010, appearing in more than 250 episodes. The animators even modeled Dale after Hardwick’s appearance.
The talented actor shared an Emmy for outstanding animated program in 1999 and received nominations in 2001 and 2002. Hardwick described his role on the show as the “dream job of all time” in a 2019 interview. He enjoyed the anonymity that voice acting provided, allowing him to forgo makeup and memorization of lines.
Hardwick also showcased his musical talents on his YouTube channel, where he performed songs as Dale. He was remembered as an incredibly beloved member of the “King of the Hill” family. In a statement, 20th Television Animation and Hulu expressed their deepest condolences and highlighted his tremendous talent and friendship.
Hardwick was set to participate in a revival of “King of the Hill” at Hulu, with other original cast members signing on as well. Sources reveal that he had already completed the recording for a couple of new episodes, raising uncertainty about the fate of his character following his passing.
Born in Houston in 1958, Hardwick began his career as a stand-up comedian before transitioning into voice acting and writing. He landed the role of Dale after a dispute over money resulted in Daniel Stern’s replacement with Hardwick for the show’s pilot episode.
The creator of “King of the Hill,” Greg Daniels, hired Hardwick as a writer after seeing his performance at The Improv in Los Angeles. Despite his successful career, Hardwick remained humble and grateful for his time on the show.
Recently, he had been working on a project called “Trailer Metal” with fellow “King of the Hill” colleague Randy Kubaszak and animator-musician Scott St. Louis. Hardwick’s voice can be heard on the trailer, which marked his final recording before his passing.
Friends and colleagues mourn the loss of Hardwick’s immense talent and describe him as the most talented writer they have ever worked with. The creators of “Trailer Metal” were preparing to pitch the project before his untimely death.
Johnny Hardwick leaves behind a lasting legacy through his iconic portrayal of Dale Gribble on “King of the Hill.” His unique voice and brilliant humor will be deeply missed by fans and those who had the privilege of working with him.