Voice actor and comedian Johnny Hardwick, best known for voicing Dale Gribble on the animated sitcom “King of the Hill,” has died, authorities confirmed.
Hardwick, 64, was found deceased at his home in Austin, Texas, in the early evening on Tuesday during an urgent welfare check, police told HuffPost.
No foul play is suspected. His cause of death will be determined by the local medical examiner’s office, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
Hardwick was memorialized as “one of the animation greats” in a statement released by 20th Television Animation and Hulu, which ordered a reboot of “King of the Hill” in January.
“Johnny Hardwick was an incredibly beloved member of the ‘King of the Hill’ family, whose tremendous talent, brilliant humor and friendship will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to work with him over the past 25 years,” read the statement provided to media. “His voice gave life to one of our most iconic characters, and he will be truly missed.”
Hardwick had reportedly not completed his voice work for the show’s revival before his death.