Johnny Hardwick, known for playing Dale Gribble on King of the Hill has died aged 59.
Law enforcement confirmed the news to , reportedly saying they were called to Hardwick’s Texas home on Tuesday for a ‘welfare check’ when they ‘discovered his body’.
The publication report Hardwick was pronounced dead at the scene. No foul play is suspected, and the cause of death has not been confirmed.
Hardwick was best-known for his time voicing Dale Gribble on long-running animated sitcom, King of the Hill, where he delighted audiences for 258 episodes (missing only one episode ever).
The first episode aired in 1997, and the series came to an end in 2010.
Since, Austin-born Hardwick has entertained many with his YouTube channel, where he wore his character’s iconic cap, glasses, and cover songs.
He would perform the songs – including The Beatles’ Let It Be, and John Lennon’s Imagine – as his character Dale, who was Hank Hill’s conspiracy theorist next door neighbour in the cartoon.
But Hardwick was more than just the voice of Dale, as he was also staff writer, story editor and producer for the show, which gained him four Prime Time Emmy nominations.
In 1999 he won the acclaimed gong for his work as producer on the series.
Fans of the series are now hurrying to pay their respects, as one X user wrote: ‘Gutted to hear about the passing of Johnny Hardwick. Dale Gribble absolutely stole any scene on KOTH that he was the focus of.
‘Undeniably he was the funniest character on the show, and part of that came from Hardwick’s voice performance. He will be missed.’
Another wrote: ‘RIP Johnny Hardwick. Dale was a supporting character who stole the show. Not just because he was so funny, but because his characterization was extremely complex and fascinating to watch unfold.
‘King of the Hill wouldn’t have lasted one episode without you.’
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