Actor discusses taking over iconic role of Dale Gribble from the late Johnny Hardwick, blessing Mike Judge for maintaining the deceased comedian's presence in King of the Hill.
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King of the Hill's Rebirth: A Toast to the New Era and the Return of Toby Huss as Dale Gribble
Finally, the long-awaited revival of King of the Hill is upon us, teasing fans with the first-ever sneak peek of the revamped opening credits before announcing an August premiere date. The excitement didn't end there, as co-creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, along with the ensemble of voice actors, graced the ATX Fest crowd with an insightful Q&A session. A significant change to the show was also revealed: Toby Huss takes over as Dale Gribble, following the tragic passing of Johnny Hardwick at 64[1].
Fans and colleagues paid tribute promptly after Hardwick's demise. His recorded material for the revival, initially limited, would necessitate a new actor. With Huss behind the microphone of Cotton Hill and Kahn Sr. in the original series, his ascent to the intimidating chair of Dale Gribble seems fitting. Huss expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to the ATX Fest audience, stating:
While it's plausible that Huss won't revive the character of Kahn Sr., justified by cultural considerations, we can only hope he lends his voice to other transient characters as well as recurring roles like M.F. Thatherton or Coach Kleehammer[2].
In the interim, fans can catch Huss in live-action alongside Glen Powell in his upcoming Hulu series, Chad Powers (2025 TV schedule). Additionally, he'll be seen in Zach Cregger's new horror, Weapons.
Mike Judge Sets the Record Straight on Johnny Hardwick's Presence in the Revival
In the immediate aftermath of Hardwick's death, reports indicated that he'd recorded scenes for a handful of episodes of the Hulu revival. However, Mike Judge clarified at ATX Fest, highlighting that the initial assessment fell short:
Should you be eager to witness this? Well, with nearly half of the revival season's voiceover allocation going to Hardwick, fans may have a more substantial experience than initially anticipated.
*Hulu: 30-Day Free TrialWhether you live in Arlen, TX or not, you can stream the King of the Hill revival season with Hulu. Both plans - Ad-Supported and Ad-Free - offer access to their extensive library of content, including original shows & movies such as What We Do in the Shadows, Tell Me Lies, The Bear, and Only Murders In The Building*. Eligible new and returning customers can enjoy one month of the service free before subscribing, with prices starting at $9.99 per month.
Sign Up NowAs for the revival season, get ready for a transformed Bobby Hill (now 21 and a chef) and return journeys for Hank and Peggy as they move back to Arlen after years in Saudi Arabia. The King of the Hill revival debuts on Hulu on Monday, August 4.
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Sources:[1] TV Insider[2] Variety
The new era of King of the Hill includes Toby Huss's role as Dale Gribble, lending his voice to a daily blend of entertainments in the upcoming revival episodes. As a fitting tribute to the late Johnny Hardwick, Huss's performance brings Dale to life again, while also giving voice to other transient characters and recurring roles in the series.
