Hank Azaria will no longer voice Apu.
Multiple outlets confirm that Azaria, who has voiced the Kwik-E-Mart owner, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, since the character was creating in 1990, is stepping down from the role.
“What they’re going to do with the character is their call,” Azaria said. “It’s up to them and they haven’t sorted it out yet. All we’ve agreed on is I won’t do the voice anymore. […] We all feel like it’s the right thing and good about it.”
Controversy over the character was sparked back in 2017. Back then Azaria said: “As far as The Simpsons is concerned, it’s often a fine line between what’s comedy and what’s offensive and insulting and upsetting.”
It is still unclear whether the character will actually be dropped from the cartoon, transition to a 2020-standards version or will be voiced by someone else.
