The Ultimate Guide To Dale Gribble In King Of The Hill Season 14: Voice Actor Tributes, Recasting, And The Revival's Biggest Change

The long-awaited return of King of the Hill is finally upon us, with the new "Season 14" revival heading to Hulu in 2025, but no character has generated more curiosity and bittersweet discussion than Hank Hill's paranoid, chain-smoking neighbor, Dale Gribble. As of December 17, 2025, the release date is set, and the details surrounding Dale's character arc—and his voice—have been confirmed, creating a fresh, emotional narrative for the show’s return.

The revival, which picks up several years after the original series finale, promises to bring the Hill family and their friends into a modern, 2025-era Arlen, Texas. However, the excitement is tempered by the passing of the original voice of Dale, the beloved comedian and actor Johnny Hardwick, making Dale Gribble's presence in the new season one of the most poignant and significant aspects of the entire reboot. This article dives deep into the updates, the recasting, and the tribute to the man who made "pocket sand!" a pop culture staple.

Dale Gribble: The Man, The Myth, The Conspiracy Theorist

Before diving into the new season's details, it's essential to honor the legacy of the man who brought Dale Gribble to life for over 250 episodes. Johnny Hardwick was an integral part of the King of the Hill family.

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• Full Name: John Michael Hardwick
• Role: Voice Actor, Writer, and Producer (King of the Hill)
• Character: Dale Alvin Gribble (1997–2009)
• Born: December 21, 1958, in Austin, Texas
• Died: August 8, 2023, in Austin, Texas
• Career Highlights: Hardwick was a stand-up comedian before joining King of the Hill. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his writing on the show and won for Outstanding Animated Program in 1999.
• Legacy: His portrayal of Dale Gribble—a conspiracy-obsessed, gun-toting, pest control professional who was hilariously oblivious to his wife Nancy's 15-year affair with John Redcorn—is considered one of the greatest animated characters in television history.

Hardwick's death in 2023 sent shockwaves through the fan community, but showrunners Mike Judge and Greg Daniels had already secured his commitment to the revival. This ensures that the character of Dale Gribble will be present and voiced by his originator for a significant portion of the new run.

The Bittersweet Return: Johnny Hardwick's Final Episodes

The biggest update for fans is the confirmation that Johnny Hardwick’s voice will be heard in the new season. Despite his untimely passing, Hardwick had completed voice recordings for a substantial number of episodes before his death.

According to reports, Johnny Hardwick recorded lines for the first seven episodes of the 10-episode King of the Hill Season 14 revival. This means that for the majority of the initial run, fans will get to hear the authentic, unmistakable voice of Dale Gribble, providing a powerful and emotional connection to the original series and a final farewell from the actor. The showrunners have stated the revival will pay a loving homage to both Hardwick and Jonathan Joss, who voiced John Redcorn and also passed away.

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The plot of the revival picks up with Hank and Peggy returning to Arlen after a trip to Saudi Arabia, and it will explore how the Hill family and their friends navigate the socio-political landscape of 2025. Dale, as the resident conspiracy theorist and proprietor of Bug-Free Pest Control, is perfectly positioned to have a field day with the modern world's complexities, from social media to global politics.

His relationship with his son, Joseph Gribble, and his now-ex-wife, Nancy Gribble, is expected to be a key focus. Fans are eager to see if Joseph has finally caught on to the truth about his biological father, John Redcorn, or if Dale's endearing naivety continues to protect him from the painful truth. The revival promises to address these long-standing character dynamics while maintaining the show's signature heart and humor.

Who is the New Voice of Dale Gribble? The Recasting Explained

With Johnny Hardwick completing seven of the ten episodes, the production team faced the difficult decision of how to handle the remaining episodes and the future of the character. The solution was to bring in a familiar face (or voice) from the King of the Hill universe: Toby Huss.

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Toby Huss is a veteran of the show, known for voicing several iconic characters, most notably Hank's abrasive father, Cotton Hill, and the Hill family's Laotian neighbor, Khan Souphanousinphone. Huss has stepped into the role of Dale Gribble for the episodes that Hardwick was unable to record.

The choice of Toby Huss is a testament to the show's commitment to internal talent and continuity. Huss is skilled at vocal impersonation and has a deep understanding of the show's comedic timing and character nuances. While no one can truly replace Johnny Hardwick, Huss is arguably the best choice to carry on the character's voice, ensuring that Dale's presence in the Arlen "Bumblers" group—alongside Hank Hill, Bill Dauterive, and Boomhauer—remains a central pillar of the series.

Key Details on Dale Gribble's Voice Transition:

• Original Voice Actor: Johnny Hardwick (Episodes 1-7)
• New Voice Actor: Toby Huss (Episodes 8-10, and potentially future seasons)
• The Change: The voice transition will occur late in Season 14, likely starting with the eighth episode.
• Future: The longevity of the revival, which is highly anticipated and may lead to a Season 15 (or Season 2 of the revival), depends on the success of this initial 10-episode run. Toby Huss is expected to continue as Dale for any subsequent seasons.

The new King of the Hill Season 14 is set to premiere on Hulu on Monday, August 4, 2025, with all episodes available for binge-watching. This highly anticipated return will not only bring back the beloved characters but will also serve as a profound, final tribute to one of the show's most unforgettable voices, Johnny Hardwick, through the enduring character of Dale Gribble.