Voice actor Toby Huss has been tapped to take over as the voice of unsuccessful exterminator and conspiracy theorist Dale Gribble on “King of the Hill” as the show is revived for a Season 14.
Huss is no stranger to “King of the Hill,” having voiced Kahn Souphanousinphone and Cotton Hill during the show’s original run. In taking over Dale, Huss replaces Johnny Hardwick, who voiced the character for its original 13 seasons on Fox, from 1997 to 2009. Hardwick recorded six episodes for the upcoming season before his death in 2023. Hardwick also had roles as a writer and a story editor during his run on the show, which consisted of 258 episodes.
The news of Huss’ casting as Dale was set to be announced Friday at the ATX TV Festival in Austin, where “King of the Hill” will be featured with a combination reunion/revival panel featuring co-creators and executive producers Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, executive producer/showrunner Saladin Patterson, and series stars Pamela Adlon (who plays Bobby Hill), Lauren Tom (Connie) and Huss.
In the case of Dale, the show notes that “he remains an extreme skeptic at heart with even wilder conspiracies and half-baked, elaborate schemes.” Besides “King of the Hill,” Huss’ credits include “Seinfeld” and “Halt and Catch Fire.” His film resume includes “Copshop,” “Halloween” and the upcoming horror/thriller “Weapons.” As a visual artist, Huss’ paintings were recently exhibited in Los Angeles, and his photography was published as the collection “American Sugargristle.”
The “King of the Hill” revival (which marks the show’s Season 14) will premiere Monday, Aug. 4, with ten new episodes, producers also revealed Friday.
Here’s the logline for the new season: “After years working a propane job in Saudi Arabia to earn their retirement nest egg, Hank and Peggy Hill return to a changed Arlen, Texas to reconnect with old friends Dale, Boomhauer and Bill. Meanwhile, Bobby is living his dream as a chef in Dallas and enjoying his 20s with his former classmates Connie, Joseph and Chane.”
The Season 14 cast of “King of the Hill” includes Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Johnny Hardwick, Stephen Root, Lauren Tom and Toby Huss. The 20th TV Animation series comes from exec producers including original co-creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, and incoming executive producer and showrunner Saladin Patterson. 3 Arts’ Michael Rotenberg and Howard Klein, and Bandera Entertainment’s Dustin Davis, also serve as executive producers.
Here’s a look at how “King of the Hill” will pay tribute to Hardwick in Episode 6:
And here’s a first look at the new season: