Who Voices Dale Gribble on King of The Hill Season 14?
King of the Hill is back. Yes, in 2025, the animated classic finally returned on Hulu after a 15-year gap—with all the beloved old-timers returning for its fourteenth season. Most of the main cast from the original run are still around, but if you’re sharp-eared, you’ll probably notice Dale Gribble, the conspiracy-loving exterminator and chain-smoker from Arlen, Texas, just doesn’t sound entirely the same as before. The reason is something fans may find bittersweet.
A New Voice for Dale Gribble
So, let’s address what many have been asking: Who voices Dale Gribble on King of The Hill Season 14? It’s not Johnny Hardwick for the entire reboot. Hardwick, who made Dale iconic, had actually begun recording for the new season alongside other returning legends like Mike Judge and Kathy Najimy. But, in a blow to fans and crew alike, Johnny Hardwick unexpectedly passed away in November 2023 before he could finish all of his lines for the revival.
Culture Crave (@CultureCrave) reported the passing of Johnny Hardwick, the beloved voice of Dale Gribble from the iconic animated series King of the Hill. The voice actor died at the age of 64, leaving fans of the long-running show mourning the loss of a key figure behind one of its most memorable characters.
Reflecting on the King of the Hill reboot, JimandSamDankMemes (@JandSdankmemes) shared a heartfelt tribute following the seventh episode, expressing sorrow over the loss of voice actor Johnny Hardwick. The post resonated with fans, honoring the man behind Dale Gribble with a simple “RIP Johnny Hardwick.”
Toby Huss Steps In After Hardwick’s Passing
After this tragic loss, producers had a big decision to make. Instead of dubbing over or replacing everything, they honored Hardwick’s legacy: his voice is heard in five episodes—episodes 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7—recorded before his passing. For the remaining episodes (and for lines he couldn’t complete), they brought in Toby Huss. Huss is no stranger to the show; he’s the guy behind Cotton Hill, Joe Jack, and Kahn since King of the Hill’s early days. Now, he’s pulled double duty and, starting with episode 8, carries the Gribble torch for the rest of season 14.
Voice actor Squil (@sftsquil) recently shared a direct comparison video highlighting the performances of Dale Gribble’s actors in the new season of King of the Hill. The post gives fans a closer look at how the iconic character’s voice has evolved, sparking nostalgia and discussion among longtime viewers.
The Transition: Fans Notice the Difference
Some viewers have spotted a difference in Dale’s tone. It’s not because the writers are messing with the character—just that Toby Huss, despite his talent, doesn’t mimic Johnny Hardwick’s raspy, offbeat delivery exactly. In some episodes, Dale sounds like his old self; in others, the new voice comes through clearly. Hulu and the producers have credited both actors: Hardwick for his last performances and Huss for helping finish what Hardwick couldn’t.
Amid the buzz surrounding the new season of King of the Hill, fan reactions have been mixed. Brad (@notvicebrad) voiced his frustration on social media, admitting that the new voice for Dale Gribble feels “so jarring” it nearly makes him want to stop watching the show altogether, despite the wealth of talented voice actors available.
Tributes and More Behind the Scenes
Season 14 is tinged with more than one absence. King of the Hill also lost Tom Petty (Lucky), Brittany Murphy (Luanne), and Jonathan Joss (John Redcorn) before the reboot even finished. In something right for a show all about ordinary people and deep friendship, the series made sure to pay tribute to these actors who gave so much heart and humor to Arlen.
Gribble’s Spirit Still Lives
It always stings when a favorite character’s voice suddenly changes—especially for a role as zany and one-of-a-kind as Dale Gribble. But there’s something fitting in having Toby Huss, an original cast member, step in to send Dale on more wild rants. Yeah, it’ll throw off fans for a few episodes, but the writing and that conspiratorial spirit are still there. Hardwick’s final lines add a special weight to those early episodes, a kind of farewell to the man who made “pocket sand!” part of TV history.
The new King of the Hill season is a reminder that even classic characters can change, forced by life and loss, but that good stories and the right cast can still hold a show together. Dale Gribble’s voice might sound a little different, but the heart of Arlen and its weird neighbors burns on.
