There’s an empty spot in front of a fence in Arlen, Texas, today after we’ve learned about the death of Johnny Hardwick, known to many as the voice of Dale Gribble on King of the Hill. According to reports, Hardwick died in his home in Austin, Texas. He was 64. Hardiwck’s death is sudden, though no foul play is suspected. The actor’s cause of death is pending until the Austin Coroner’s Office can thoroughly investigate.
Born John Michael Hardwick in Austin, the actor made a name for himself performing local stand-up in the 1990s. After gaining some notoriety, Hardwick made guest appearances on The Jon Stewart Show, the Laugh Factory in L.A., and the Montreal Comedy Festival. In King of the Hill, Hardwick voices Dale Gribble, an exterminator, bounty hunter, gun enthusiast, and conspiracy theorist. Gribble is a featured player on King of the Hill, swilling beers and chain-smoking cigarettes alongside Hank Hill and his friends.
In addition to voicing Dale Gribble, Hardwick was credited as a producer and writer of King of the Hill during the early Fox seasons. He was nominated for an Emmy as a supervising producer in 2001 and 2002. He shared the Emmy as a producer in 1999 after King of the Hill won the Outstanding Animated Program prize.
In January, Hulu announced a King of the Hill revival, with Hardwick set to reprise his role as Dale Gribble. King of the Hill originally aired on Fox and centered on the Hills, an American family in the fictional city of Arlen, Texas. Patriarch and main character Hank Hill, who works as an assistant manager at Strickland Propane, is the everyman and general protagonist of the series. Hank is also friends with other residents on his block, especially Bill Dauterive, Dale Gribble, and Jeff Boomhauer, all of whom he has known since elementary school. Judge voiced Hank and was joined by the vocal talent of Kathy Najimi, Johnny Hardwick, Pamela Adlon, Brittany Murphy, Stephen Root, Johnny Knoxville, Tom Petty, Carl Reiner, and more.
We wish Mr. Hardwick’s family, friends, and fans peace during this difficult time. We hope Mr. Hardwick travels well to the Great Hereafter and finds comfort in his eternal slumber. Thanks for all the laughs and good times, Mr. Hardwick.