The Simpsons’ actor Hank Azaria says he will no longer voice character Apu
Following years of controversy and accusations of racism, the Jewish voice-artist is stepping away from the role
The Simpsons actor Hank Azaria has said he will no longer be voicing the character of Apu, following years of controversy and accusations of racism.
Azaria, who is Jewish, lends his voice to numerous characters in the long-running show, including Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum and Comic Book Guy.
However it appears his time as Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is over.
He told Slashfilm: “All we know there is I won’t be doing the voice anymore, unless there’s some way to transition it or something.
“We all made the decision together… We all agreed on it. We all feel like it’s the right thing and good about it.”
Apu is an Indian immigrant who owns and manages a convenience store.
Known for his catchphrase “thank you, come again,” he first appeared in The Simpsons’s first season in the episode The Telltale Head.
The character has been dogged for years by allegations of racism. Azaria is white.
The controversy intensified in 2017 following the documentary The Problem With Apu, written by and starring comedian Hari Kondabolu.
He argued the character was a problematic stereotype of South Asians.
The Simpsons writers addressed the issue but were accused of making the problem worse.
During a 2018 episode, Marge was reading a novel that had been adapted for modern audiences to make it less offensive.
The scene ended with Lisa turning to the camera and saying: “Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?”
She then looked at a picture of Apu on her bedside table that was inscribed with Bart’s catchphrase, “don’t have a cow”.
Marge added, “some things will be dealt with at a later date,” while Lisa replied “If at all”.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
