One of the singular voices in television animation has died.
Johnny Hardwick, the voice of King of the Hill‘s Dale Gribble, died this week at the age of 64. He also worked as a writer and producer on the long-running animated comedy from Mike Judge and Greg Daniels.
Hardwick’s distinct, gravely voice marked the pleasantly paranoid Gribble, best known for his extermination business, intense interest in conspiracy theories, his orange hat and unabashed love for his friends and family.
On a show with so many memorable characters, Hardwick’s voice helped Gribble stand out among the many wonderful performances on the program.
Johnny Hardwick, who voiced Dale Gribble on King of the Hill and was set to reprise his role in a series revival on Hulu, has died at 64 years old. https://t.co/jUIJdsyJ4U pic.twitter.com/Us22IIPLMH
— IGN (@IGN) August 10, 2023
As show fans throw pocket sand and write in “Rusty Shackleford” on their official government documents in Hardwick’s honor, remembrances for the voice actor’s legendary performance have poured in on social media.
Many shared clips of Gribble’s funniest moments on the show, while others pointed out how Hardwick’s performance helped build the warm, affable atmosphere that King of the Hill built during its run.
King of the Hill fans remembered how great Hardwick was with voicing Gribble.
RIP Johnny Hardwick. The greatest line delivery of the greatest joke in history. Too funny and too talented pic.twitter.com/RT0vfymaMb
— CC Kirby (@_cckirby) August 10, 2023
Dale Gribble getting an office job and discovering he’s actually good at it is still an all-timer. RIP Johnny Hardwick. https://t.co/RPKiAfbcjm
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) August 10, 2023
RIP Johnny Hardwick, whose work as Dale Gribble was a foundational comedy performance for me. This is just one of so many bits of pure hilarity he brought us. pic.twitter.com/IgtWKQ8lS7
— Sam Stands with the WGA (@SamShotFirst) August 10, 2023
Dale Gribble is such a funny, livewire character but there's so much vulnerability and warmth that Johnny Hardwick brought. Dale seems like a genuinely good man and good father despite being a total nut
— Mr. Chau (@Srirachachau) August 10, 2023
Johnny Hardwick RIP
— Billy West (@TheBillyWest) August 10, 2023
And with the show's revival announced, that's the third major cast member that has passed away since the show originally ended. Britney Murphy (Luanne), Tom Petty (Lucky) and now Johnny Hardwick (Dale). RIP Dale, I mean Rusty Shackleford! https://t.co/Uln0B7MiEJ
— Opie (@OpieAlan) August 10, 2023
Rest in Peace, Johnny Hardwick pic.twitter.com/rwl3mmZ7js
— Adult Swim Out Of Context (@AdultSwimNoCon) August 10, 2023
In honor of Johnny Hardwick’s passing. Pocket sand will always be my favorite scene in King of the Hill. Thank you for everything and you will be in our hearts forever. Rest In Peace legend. pic.twitter.com/Bec5DSrJqU
— UndecidedMarkus (@UndecidedMarkus) August 10, 2023
So, so sad. Dale is one of my favorite television characters, animated or otherwise, and that all came from Johnny Hardwick's writing and performance. Nothing could replicate his energy or delivery. https://t.co/YLmhS0xVla
— Michael Ruocco (@AGuyWhoDraws) August 10, 2023
RIP Rusty Shackleford https://t.co/RT2ViI9DAy pic.twitter.com/iw1bTkZzxD
— kevbones. (@kevbonesy) August 10, 2023
“You don’t know who I am but I know where you live” is one of my wife’s favorite quotes
Thank you for the laughs and RIP to a legend https://t.co/23UJzcoT0v
— Saivion Mixson (@MixsonS_NFL) August 10, 2023
[In my sincerest Dale Gribble tribute voice] But did he really? https://t.co/zsOGpe2ooo
— Jason Kirk (jasonkirk.fyi on bluesky) (@thejasonkirk) August 10, 2023
RIP hero https://t.co/jjXuVuVAap
— charles (“you look good” – andy reid) mcdonald (@FourVerts) August 10, 2023
https://t.co/UqMOKWjnTf pic.twitter.com/fbW1oiaTcV
— Real Name, No Gimmicks (@CarsonAMerk) August 10, 2023
He made Dale Gribble the funniest, most pitch perfect animated character ever. This is a bummer to end all bummers https://t.co/pfHrOH87FT
— The Trillbillies (@thetrillbillies) August 10, 2023
