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"Moving forward, 'The Simpsons' will no longer
have white actors voice non-white characters," they said in a
brief statement.
The statement did not elaborate but the move follows years of
public pressure about the Fox television show's Indian
convenience store character Apu, who is voiced by Hank Azaria.
Azaria said earlier this year that he would no longer play the
character, which has been criticized as a negative portrayal of
Indian-Americans.
Azaria has also voiced the Simpsons characters of Black police
officer Lou and the Mexican-American Bumblebee Man. Harry
Shearer has played Dr. Hibbert, who is Black.
Friday's statement did not say whether Apu or the other
characters would remain on the series.
Bumbling Homer Simpson, housewife Marge, troublemaker Bart,
prodigy Lisa and baby Maggie, have captured the changing face of
America for more than 30 years in the longest-running scripted
show on U.S. television.
"The Simpsons" is syndicated in more than 100 countries.
Friday's announcement comes amidst a widespread reckoning for
U.S. pop culture about racism following mass protests this month
over the killings of Black Americans by police.
Other white actors, including Mike Henry of animated series
"Family Guy" and Kristen Bell of "Central Park," have also said
they will no longer voice characters of color.
"It's been an honor to play Cleveland on 'Family Guy' for 20
years. I love this character, but persons of color should play
characters of color. Therefore, I will be stepping down from the
role," Henry said on Twitter on Friday.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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