Who is Hank Azaria and why has he quit as The Simpsons voice of Apu?
HANK Azaria has announced he has quit voicing the character of shopkeeper Apu Nahasapeemapetilon in The Simpsons following an ongoing race row. The actor has revealed he is quitting the role after 30 years, following years of controversy over the character and racism allegations. Who is Hank Azaria? Henry Albert “Hank” Azaria, 55, was born […]
HANK Azaria has announced he has quit voicing the character of shopkeeper Apu Nahasapeemapetilon in The Simpsons following an ongoing race row.
The actor has revealed he is quitting the role after 30 years, following years of controversy over the character and racism allegations.
Who is Hank Azaria?
Henry Albert “Hank” Azaria, 55, was born April 25, 1964, and is an American actor, voice actor, comedian and producer.
He is best known for starring in The Simpsons since it started in 1989.
Hank is the voice of Moe Szyslak, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, Carl Carlson and numerous others.
The actor reportedly has a massive net worth of £50 million.
He is also known for films such as:
- The Birdcage (1996)
- Godzilla (1998)
- America’s Sweethearts (2001)
- Along Came Polly (2004)
- Run Fatboy Run (2007)
- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)
- The Smurfs (2011)
What is the Simpsons ‘race row’ and why has he quit?
On April 25, 2018, Hank revealed he would “be willing” to stop playing character Apu after the show became embroiled in a race row.
US documentary The Problem With Apu blasted The Simpsons for portraying Indian Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu as an unfair and exaggerated stereotype.
Speaking at the time on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Hank said he’s given the issue “a lot of thought” as his “eyes have opened”.
He said: “I really want to see Indian, South Asian writers in the writers room… genuinely informing whatever way this character may [develop] including how it is voiced or not voiced.
“I’m perfectly willing and happy to step aside.”
Azaria also stressed the importance of listening “to South Asian and Indian people when they talk about how they feel about the character”.
The actor has now confirmed he no longer wants to voice Apu and is stepping away from the role after three decades.
He revealed to Slashfilm that the decision was made with the shows creators as they all felt it was the right thing to do.
He said: “We all made the decision together… We all agreed on it. We all feel like it’s the right thing and good about it.
“All we know is I won’t be doing the voice anymore, unless there’s some way to transition it or something.”
Hank also provides the voices for other characters in The Simpsons including Moe Szyslak and Cheif Wiggum so won’t be leaving the show – just no longer playing the role of Apu.
When was Hank in Friends?
Hank was well known in Friends as David “the scientist guy”, who had an on/off love affair with Phoebe Buffay.
He appeared in five episodes from season one (1994) to season to nine (2003).
In 2016 it was revealed David and Phoebe almost ended up with a happily-ever-after, but Paul Rudd’s character Mike was too charming for the show to let go.
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Hank said: “I think, honestly, what happened was Paul Rudd is so awesome that they sort of found a groove with him, and [my character] became more of just the grist for that mill.
“It actually did sting a little bit. Whatever part of me is David the science guy who went to Minsk, which admittedly is probably a small part of me, but that part of me wanted to end up with Phoebe.
“So I was sort of sad when I didn’t.”