Johnny Hardwick Biography: Obituary, Wife, Height, YouTube, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Awards, TV Series

Johnny Hardwick was a Voice actor, comedian, writer, producer, and YouTuber.

He became widely known as the voice of Dale Gribble on the animated series King of the Hill, a role he originated in 1997 and continued to perform for the show’s entire 13-year run.

Before landing that part, he had established himself on the stand-up comedy circuit in Texas and Los Angeles, catching the attention of King of the Hill creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels through his live performances.

Profile

• Full name: John Michael Hardwick
• Date of birth: December 31, 1958
• Age as of 2025: Deceased
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Austin, Texas, U.S.
• State of origin: Texas
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Voice actor, comedian, writer, producer, YouTuber
• Height: N/A
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: N/A
• Religion: Christian
• Ethnicity: White
• Net worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Johnny Hardwick was born on December 31, 1958, in Austin, Texas. He grew up in Central Texas and attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where he earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree.

After graduating, he spent about a decade working as a bartender in live blues bars in Dallas and Austin—venues such as the Velveeta Room and Sixth Street Live—while performing stand-up comedy at local clubs. It was through those performances that he honed his comedic style, eventually catching the eye of writers and producers in Los Angeles.

Personal Life

Hardwick kept his personal life largely private, and there are no public records indicating a spouse, children, or significant romantic relationships. He remained based in Austin for most of his life and rarely discussed family or personal matters in interviews.

Career

Johnny Hardwick began performing stand-up comedy in 1990, appearing at venues such as the Dallas Improv and the Velveeta Room in Austin. Early television appearances included shows like “Evening at the Improv” and “Caroline’s Comedy Hour,” and he was the first comedian featured on “The Jon Stewart Show.”

His performance at the 1995 Montreal Comedy Festival brought him to the attention of Brandon Tartikoff, who briefly signed him to a sitcom deal that ultimately did not materialize.

While doing stand-up at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, Hardwick was approached by FX producers Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, who were casting the Texan-themed animated series King of the Hill.

Although the role of Dale Gribble was initially offered to Daniel Stern, Hardwick won the part by agreeing to the producers’ terms without contention. He went on to voice Dale in 257 of the show’s 258 episodes and served as a staff writer, story editor, and producer on the series.

Following the conclusion of King of the Hill in 2010, Hardwick created a YouTube channel on September 12, 2012, although he did not upload content until 2015.

From December 2018 onward, he posted song parodies and monologues performed in Dale Gribble’s voice, amassing over 23,700 subscribers and more than 905,000 views by mid-2023.

In 2023, he recorded several new episodes for the King of the Hill revival before his death, ensuring his voice would once again be heard in the role that defined his career.

Awards

• Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (tie) for King of the Hill, 1999
• Three Primetime Emmy nominations for King of the Hill in 2002, 2003, and 2004

Net worth

Johnny Hardwick’s net worth at the time of his demise was estimated to be at least $5 million.

Death

On August 8, 2023, Johnny Hardwick was found dead in his home in Austin, Texas, at the age of 64. His body was discovered in his bathtub after a welfare check by local authorities.

Due to the state of decomposition, the medical examiner was unable to determine a definitive cause of death but ruled out drowning and signs of trauma; toxicology tests detected cannabinoids and unspecified drugs at the scene.

Social Media

• YouTube channel: johnny hardwick

Filmography

• 1996 Ruta Wakening | Jester
• 1999 Natural Selection | Documentary Director (voice)
• 2019 Shadows of Sofia | Consulting Producer