Voice actor Mike Henry walked away from the role after two decades due to his cast’s racial insensitivity.
Wendell Pierce, “The Wire” fan-favorite actor and recent star of “Clemency” and “Burning Cane,” launched a social media campaign to be Cleveland’s new voice actor on “Family Guy.” Cleveland’s original voice Mike Henry announced last week that he would walk away from Fox’s long animated comedy because of its cast’s racial insensitivity.
“It has been an honor playing Cleveland in ‘Family Guy’ for 20 years,” wrote Henry on social media. “I love this character, but people of color should play characters of color. Therefore, I will leave office. ”
Henry’s “Family Guy” release followed in the footsteps of Jenny Slate and Kristen Bell leaving their respective animated shows “Big Mouth” and “Central Park” on similar topics. Both actresses voiced biracial characters in their series. Pierce turned to social media to say he is interested in being Cleveland’s new voice.
“Now that Mike Henry has consciously stepped down from the Cleveland role, I am publicly starting a campaign to voice my role on ‘The Cleveland Show.'”
Pierce mentioned “The Cleveland Show”, the spinoff of “Family Guy” centered on the eponymous character that aired from 2009 to 2013. Cleveland continues to appear regularly on “Family Guy,” so consider this Pierce release for the series. Seth MacFarlane’s badge. The actor is already receiving the support of other actors such as Emmy nominee “House of Cards” Michael Kelly.
“Perfect!” Kelly wrote to MacFarlane in reaction to Pierce’s campaign. “Wendell Pierce is not just one of the most talented guys I know, but also someone you will love to date.”
“Family Guy” has aired over 300 episodes in 18 television seasons. Fox renewed the series last month for its nineteenth season.
Now that Mike Henry has consciously given up the role of Cleveland, I am publicly starting a campaign to voice my role on The Cleveland Show. #WendellIsCleveland @TheClevelandSho @SethMcFarlane_ pic.twitter.com/Ux3F0uk1p6
– Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) June 28, 2020
Perfect!
. @WendellPierce is not just one of the most talented guys I know, but someone you will love hanging out with!
The Cleveland show. #WendellIsCleveland @TheClevelandSho @SethMcFarlane_ https://t.co/EvwAE6dYxh
– Michael Kelly (@michaeljkellyjr) June 29, 2020
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