Earlier this week, Big Mouth's Jenny Slate and Central Park's Kristen Bell announced that they are leaving their roles on the shows, which will both be recast with a Black or mixed race actor. But now, she understands that her initial thoughts were wrong. Arif Zahir will take over the role. Earlier on Friday, the network revealed that it will no longer have white actors voice characters of color on "The Simpsons. Slate, 38, revealed the news on Wednesday, explaining that she, a white woman, "can no longer" play the role of Missy, a biracial character on the animated Netflix series created by Nick Kroll. Wendell Pierce is campaigning to be the new voice of Family Guy’s Cleveland Brown.. "Ending my portrayal of 'Missy' is one step in a life-long process of uncovering the racism in my actions," Slate continued. Inset: Apple TV Plus, Netflix. FILE - In this Sept. 23, 2010 file photo, actor and show co-creator Mike Henry appears with signage for his animated series 'The Cleveland Show' at a panel discussion at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, Calif. Arif Zahir, known for his impressions of Cleveland Brown from "Family Guy," has gone from mimicking the character to actually playing him. Credit: He continued: "I love this character, but persons of color should play characters of color. Cleveland Orenthal Brown, Sr. is a supporting character on Family Guy, and central character in the spin-off series, The Cleveland Show, which reduced him to a guest character on Family Guy until he returned. “It’s been an honor to play Cleveland on Family Guy for 20 years,” he announced on Twitter Friday. Arif Zahir. THE FAMILY Guy voice actor who plays Cleveland Brown and Consuela has stepped down after 20 years to make way for a minority actor. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. He is known for his work on the animated TV series Family Guy (1999–present), where he writes and produces episodes along with voicing Cleveland Brown, Herbert, Bruce, and Consuela, among … Arif Zahir is getting ready for his closeup on "Family Guy." Writers named the character Cleveland Brown in reference to the similarly named football team, although his last name was not revealed until after Family Guy returned from cancellation in 2005. Credit: Like, he’s not doing a voice -- I feel like he’s making Cleveland. ©2020 FOX News Network, LLC. There's a new "Family Guy" voice actor who can say, "My name is Cleveland Brown." Voiced most times by Mike Henry. Get push notifications with news, features and more. The YouTube star, 26, was hired in late September to replace Mike Henry as the voice of Cleveland Brown on the animated series. Wendell Pierce is campaigning to be the new voice of Family Guy’s Cleveland Brown.. Therefore, I will be stepping down from the role. ", "You know, Cleveland is largely some weird part of me and I’ve been able to do it for [almost] 20 years now, and I think what you’re getting at is, 'Does anyone get upset about it?' In June, voice actor Mike Henry announced he was stepping down from the role of Cleveland Brown… '", Henry went on to say that "it wasn’t like I was cast as Cleveland, I created Cleveland. "People are usually surprised," he explained of peoples' reactions at the time. From Obama to Cleveland Brown. RELATED: Family Guy's Mike Henry Says He'll No Longer Voice Cleveland Brown Character It’s been an honor to play Cleveland on Family Guy for 20 years. Legal Statement. Comments Add a Comment. "Family Guy" showrunners have found their new Cleveland Brown voice -- it's a Black YouTuber who can handle the role with ease, and probably a few others on the show too. Facebook. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The comedian — who also voices Consuela the maid, among many minor characters — served as co-creator and lead star on Family Guy's spinoff The Cleveland Show from 2009 to 2013. I am happy to relinquish this role to someone who can give a much more accurate portrayal and I will commit to learning, growing and doing my part for equality and inclusion.". ", KRISTEN BELL WILL NO LONGER VOICE BIRACIAL CHARACTER IN APPLE TV+ SHOW 'CENTRAL PARK'. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection Mike Henry, 54, announced his resignation after voicing the character on Family Guy and its spinoff, the Cleveland Show since 1999. The Cleveland Show and Death. Cleveland Brown VOICE. The Simpsons adds to the list of animated series that have decided to step away from casting white actors in roles of color. Find out what your cat is trying to tell you with a new cat app, Princess Diana died when Harry was just 12 years old, Engineer Creates App To Translate Your Cat, The Sweetest Photos of Princes Harry with Diana, Sean Connery's Cause of Death Revealed Weeks After He Dies at Age 90. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Mike Henry, who has voiced the character of Cleveland Brown for two decades on "Family Guy," said on Friday that he is stepping down from the role on the FOX animated series. Kroll, 42, also announced Slate's decision on Twitter, writing: "After thoughtful discussion with us and our Black collaborators, Jenny Slate has decided, and we wholeheartedly agree, that Missy on Big Mouth should be voiced by a Black actor.". Cleveland Orenthal Brown, Sr. is a supporting character on Family Guy, and central character in the spin-off series, The Cleveland Show, which reduced him to a guest character on Family Guy until he returned. ©2020 FOX News Network, LLC. WhatsApp. Edson Matus. I love this character, but persons of color should play characters of color. You guys do this and tell me what I can do. The long-running satirical cartoon about suburban family life was just picked up for seasons 19 and 20 on Fox after over two decades on the air.. Until "The Cleveland … Family Guy voice actor Mike Henry, who is white, announced that he will no longer voice Cleveland Brown, an African-American character, on Family Guy or The Cleveland Show. Bell, who starred with Gad on Disney's Frozen, also addressed her decision to step down from the role in her caption. or redistributed. Twitter. Fox; Mike Coppola/Getty Images. The network confirmed the decision in a statement to PEOPLE, saying, "Moving forward, The Simpsons will no longer have white actors voice non-white actors.". Stepping into Cleveland… All rights reserved. Mike Henry will no longer voice Family Guy character Cleveland Brown, becoming the latest white actor to step away from playing a character of color on an animated series. "I have come to the decision today that I can no longer play the character of 'Missy' on the animated TV show Big Mouth. The YouTube star, 26, was hired in late September to replace Mike Henry as the voice of Cleveland Brown on the animated series. Playing the character of Molly on Central Park shows a lack of awareness of my pervasive privilege. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. ", CHRISTINA AGUILERA SAYS EXECS ONCE HAD A 'BIG DEBATE' ABOUT CHANGING HER LAST NAME FOR BEING 'TOO ETHNIC, Henry's decision comes after voice actors Jenny Slate and Kristen Bell -- who are white -- recently pulled out of their respective roles to recast their biracial characters with someone of color. 'Family Guy' voice actor Mike Henry says he is 'stepping down' from Cleveland Brown role on animated series The star has voiced the character since the series debuted in 1999. Playing the Molly in 'Central Park' shows a lack of awareness of my pervasive privilege. Also on Wednesday, Bell and Josh Gad announced in a statement shared to their respective Instagram accounts that the actress will no longer be playing the role of Molly Tillerman, who is mixed race, on his Apple TV+ series Central Park. Family Guy star Mike Henry (Cleveland Brown's voice actor) will no longer be playing the role. Henry, who is a white man, has voiced the character since the series debuted in 1999. | "But after reflection, Kristen, along with the entire creative team, recognizes that the casting of the character of Molly is an opportunity to get representation right — to cast a Black or mixed race actress and give Molly a voice that resonates with all of the nuance and experiences of the character as we've drawn her," it continued. (Fox via AP), “I acknowledge how my original reasoning was flawed,” Slate said. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Arif Zahir is getting ready for his closeup on "Family Guy." Legal Statement. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Family Guy voice actor Mike Henry is stepping down from his role as Cleveland Brown. "This is a time to acknowledge our acts of complicity. From creating a person. ", JIMMY KIMMEL FACES BACKLASH FOR 'NON-APOLOGY' ADDRESSING BLACKFACE CONTROVERSY. FAMILY Guy producers have cast YouTuber Arif Zahir as the new voice of Cleveland Brown after the original voice actor quit. What's going on? Henry's exit comes hot on the heels of news that another one of Fox's staple animated series, The Simpsons, will no longer cast white actors to voice characters of color. The comedian — who also voices Consuela the maid, among many minor characters — served as co-creator and lead star on Family Guy's spinoff The Cleveland Show from 2009 to 2013. Mike Henry, Arif Zahir are the voices of Cleveland Brown in Family Guy. Until "The Cleveland … Incarnations View all 6 versions of Cleveland Brown on BTVA. RELATED: Family Guy's Mike Henry Says He'll No Longer Voice Cleveland Brown Character It’s been an honor to play Cleveland on Family Guy for 20 years. Juan Amador Pulido. THE FAMILY Guy voice actor who plays Cleveland Brown and Consuela has stepped down after 20 years to make way for a minority actor. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection What’s up? But 'Missy' is also Black, and Black characters on an animated show should be played by Black people," Slate wrote on Instagram. Family Guy fans can expect a big change in the show's upcoming 19th season. Coyote Ugly Turns 20: Where Is the Cast Now? Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Mike Henry, 54, announced his resignation after voicing the chara… “It’s been an honor to play Cleveland on Family Guy for 20 years,” he announced on Twitter Friday. RELATED: TV Shows and Movies You Can Stream to Learn More About Racial Justice and Police Brutality. Despite the amicable parting on Family Guy, The "Pilot" of The Cleveland Show showed Loretta as being spiteful towards Cleveland … Voice actor Mike Henry announced he'll no longer be playing the role of Cleveland Brown on the long-running animated sitcom. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Character Retirement. In this video we have Azerrz back with another hilarious voice trolling video for us on call of duty. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment. "We sincerely apologize for and regret our original decision to cast a White actor to voice a biracial character. TV Show: Family Guy Franchise: Family Guy. We made a mistake, took our privilege for granted, and we're working hard to do better moving forward," he continued. "The Good Place" star went on to explain that she's "happy to relinquish the role" and pledging to "commit to learning, growing and doing my part for equality and inclusion. “I love this character, but persons of … The character was written out of Family Guy largely at the behest of Alex Borstein, who complained the deep gravelly female voice of Loretta was too demanding of her voice.. Furthering this connection, a commercial aired during Super Bowl XLV that showed many TV characters wearing NFL jerseys, with everyone in Quahog wearing New England Patriotsjerseys except Cleveland, who is wearing a … “I love this character, but persons of … He is the token black guy in the neighborhood and a sort of novelty in Quahog which is exemplified in his trip to Barrington Country Club in "Fore Father". Alex Borstein, who voices Lois Griffin, told Fox News at the time: "I just feel like you can feel when something is done from a place of love. The decision comes nearly three months after Mike Henry, 54, announced his resignation in the wake of George Floyd's death, saying an actor of color should play the character. “Family Guy” has announced its replacement casting for Cleveland Brown. Bell also shared the statement online, adding one of her own. I’m coming from a good place and I hope people aren’t upset,'" he said at the time. Slate, 38, played the mixed-race Missy on Netflix’s “Big Mouth” and Bell, 39, voiced a biracial character named Molly on Apple TV Plus's “Central Park.”, ACTRESS JENNY SLATE WITHDRAWS FROM VOICING BIRACIAL CHARACTER ON NETFLIX'S 'BIG MOUTH'. He is the token black guy in the neighborhood and a sort of novelty in Quahog which is exemplified in his trip to Barrington Country Club in "Fore Father". | Images of the Cleveland Brown voice actors from the Family Guy franchise. All rights reserved. Voice actor Mike Henry announced he would leave the role of Cleveland Brown on 'Family Guy' to allow a black actor to play the character. "It was wrong and we, on the Central Park team, are pledging to make it right. Casting a mixed-race character w/a [sic] white actress undermines the specificity of the mixed-race & Black American experience," she said. 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