Animated television comedy The Simpsons is ending the use of white actors to express characters of color, the producers said Friday. “In the future, ‘The Simpsons’ will no longer have white actors playing non-white characters,” they said in a brief statement.
The statement did not elaborate, but the move follows years of public pressure on the character from the Indian convenience store from the television show Apu, to whom Hank Azaria gives voice. Azaria said earlier this year that he would no longer be playing the character, who has been criticized as a negative portrayal of American Indians.
Azaria has also voiced the Simpsons characters of black police officer Lou and Mexican American bumblebee man. Harry Shearer has played Dr. Hibbert, who is black.
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Friday’s statement did not say whether Apu or the other characters would remain in the series. Bumbling Homer Simpson, housewife Marge, troublemaker Bart, prodigy Lisa, and baby Maggie have captured the changing face of the United States for more than 30 years on the longest-running screenplay on American television. The Simpsons is syndicated in more than 100 countries.
Friday’s announcement comes amid a widespread calculation for American pop culture of racism following massive protests this month over police killings of American blacks.
Other white actors, including Mike Henry from the animated series Family Guy and Kristen Bell of Central Park, have also said they will no longer express characters of color. “It has been an honor to play Cleveland in ‘Family Guy’ for 20 years. I love this character, but people of color should play characters of color. Therefore, I will leave office, ”Henry said on Twitter on Friday.
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