YouTuber Ari Zahir Cast as New Voice of Cleveland Brown on ‘Family Guy’

*Family Guy has cast YouTuber Arif Zahir to voice Cleveland Brown after Mike Henry, a white man, announced he would be stepping down from the role because “persons of color should play characters of color.”

Henry announced his departure on social media in August, saying in a statement, “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.”

“The Cleveland Show” ran from 2009 to 2013, during which Henry provided the voice of Cleveland and his stepson, Rallo Tubbs. The comedian also voices Consuela the maid and several other minor characters. He served as co-creator and lead star on the spinoff for the series’ four seasons, The Blast reports. 

Henry provided the voice of the character since the Fox animated series’ debut in 1999. 

READ MORE: Wendell Pierce Petitions to Voice Cleveland Brown After ‘Family Guy’ Star Mike Henry Steps Down

The animated sitcom announced on Twitter Friday that Zahir, who is Black, will now voice Cleveland in season 19.

“We have found our new Cleveland! Excited to have you join the fam, @Azerrz,” the series tweeted alongside a split photo of Zahir and Cleveland.

Of the news, Zahir, 26, said in a statement: “To Mike Henry, Rich Appel, Alec Sulkin and Seth MacFarlane, thank you for this incredible gift. And to the millions of fans who love this show, I promise not to let you own.”

Actor Wendell Pierce had petitioned to become the new voice of Cleveland Brown, SandraRose reported. 

He took to social media to pitch himself, writing “Now that Mike Henry has consciously given up the role of Cleveland, I am publicly starting a campaign to voice the role myself on ‘The Cleveland Show.’”

We previously reported, “The Simpsons” will no longer allow non-white characters to be voiced by white actors.

“Moving forward, “The Simpsons” will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters,” the producers stated.