
On Friday, long-time cartoon sitcom “The Simpsons” announced that non-white characters will no longer be voiced by white actors.
“Moving forward, THE SIMPSONS will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters,” the show said in a statement.
While the main characters on the cartoon are white, there are several characters of color. Most notably, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, who was voiced by Hank Azaria. In 2018, Azaria said that he would no longer voice the convenience store clerk after the show faced criticism that Nahasapeemapetilon’s character plays up Indian-American stereotypes
Several other minor characters of color on “The Simpsons” include Officer Lou and Carl Carlson, both also voiced by Azaria.
Earlier on Friday, Mike Henry, who voices Black character Cleveland Brown on Fox cartoon sitcom “Family Guy,” announced he will no longer voice Brown.
“It’s been an honor to play Cleveland on Family Guy for 20 years. I love this character, but persons of color should play characters of color. Therefore, I will be stepping down from the role,” Henry said.