The YouTube star, 26, was hired in late September to replace Mike Henry as the voice of Cleveland Brown on the animated series. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. Fox’s “Family Guy” said Friday that YouTube star Arif Zahir will be the new voice of one of its most beloved characters, Cleveland Brown. "I did an impression of Cleveland [on YouTube] and [producers] mentioned that they had seen that, and they said 'We’d love for you to have your shot at the role,'" Zahir told The New York Post. 'The Simpsons': The New Voice Of Hank Azaria's Carl Is Revealed, “I welcome Arif to the Family Guy team,” Henry said. ', Advocate: The announcement comes months after Henry, who previously voiced Cleveland Brown on the animated series for more two decades, revealed he would be stepping down, Saying goodbye: Henry appeared pleased with his replacement, as he welcomed Zahir, who is repped by CAA, to the 'Family Guy team' and praised his 'obvious' vocal talent and understanding of Cleveland Brown; seen in 2018. Voice actor Arif Zahir, who does impressions of Cleveland on YouTube, has been tapped to replace Mike Henry, Cleveland's original portrayer, who stepped down from the … The comments below have not been moderated. Arif Zahir is a voice actor known for voicing Cleveland Brown. 'When I learned I would get to take over the role? Zahir has gained on following on YouTube for his wide range of impressions which include Cleveland Brown, Barrack Obama, Donald Trump, Stewie Griffin, 21 … ‘Rick and Morty’ EPs Dan Harmon & Scott Marder On TV Animation’s Voiceover Whitewashing Controversy. "I love this character, but persons of colour should play characters of colour," Henry said at the time. Arif Zahir Net Worth, Merch, YouTube Earnings. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Family Guy has found the actor who will replace Mike Henry, who has voiced Cleveland for the last 20 years. Mike Henry had voiced Cleveland since 1999, but announced he was stepping down in June. Arif Zahir, a YouTube star with more than 6 million followers, will take over the role of Cleveland Brown on the Fox animated sitcom "Family Guy," … 'It's been an honor to play Cleveland on Family Guy for 20 years,' Henry explained over a tweet in June. 'His respect for the character gives me confidence that he is in the right hands,' the former Family Guy star noted. Related Story Contact Info: Arif Zahir, beginning in Season 19 (Broadcast season 20), will be the new voice of Cleveland Brown, taking over from Mike Henry. Family Guy has hired Cleveland Brown impersonator Arif Zahir to do the job for real and replace Mike Henry in the role of the Griffins' neighbor. Arif Zahir stands with height is 5 feet 9 inches and his weight is 75kg, his other body measurements are not known. "I love this character, but persons of color should play characters of color. For Arif, it wasn’t necessarily intentional. One day I hope to get on the big screen, and voice for animation. All Rights reserved. Fox’s Family Guy has recast the role of Cleveland Brown with YouTube star Arif Zahir. 'I look forward to getting to know Arif and working with him to make sure Cleveland stays every bit as awesome as he has always been.'. Arif Zahir, a YouTuber who has made a name for himself doing impressions of Family Guy's Cleveland Brown, has been officially cast as the character. We’ve mentioned other content creators using their new media platform to expand their success in other ventures. Arif Zahir (right) will be taking on the role of Cleveland (Picture: Fox/Getty/LA Pictures3) YouTuber Arif Zahir has been announced as the new voice … ', New role: YouTuber Arif Zahir will take over Mike Henry's role on Family Guy's 19th season, which is set to air in the 2021-22 season, On Friday, Zahir reflected on learning that Henry was parting ways from his 'favorite cartoon character of all time. To Rich Appel, Alec Sulkin and Seth MacFarlane, thank you for this incredible gift. In June, Kristen Bell revealed she would not return as the voice of Central Park‘s mixed race Molly after the first season. Watch Family Guy Online | Now Streaming in HD | Stan. Talking about his net worth, he has got 6.26 million subscribers on his Youtube Channel, besides this, he even has been voicing on the movies, he has been earning a lot, his net worth is $2 million. The Simpsons bring on black actor Alex Desert to voice Carl... Is Bella wishing he'd been The Bachelor instead? Arif Zahir, a YouTube star with more than 6 million followers, will take over the role of Cleveland Brown on the Fox animated sitcom "Family Guy," … Arif Zahir started his YouTube channel with the name Azerrz in December 2012. Fox has landed YouTube star Arif Zahir as the new voice of Family Guy's Cleveland Brown.Zahir will be taking the character over from Mike Henry, who announced in … YouTube star Arif Zahir has been announced as the new voice of Cleveland Brown in Family Guy. 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The changes are part of a movement to end voiceover whitewashing in TV animation. “When I heard that Mike Henry was stepping down from the role of Cleveland Brown — my favorite cartoon character of all time — I was shocked and saddened, assuming we’d never see him again. In June, voice actor Mike Henry announced he was stepping down from the role of Cleveland Brown, a Black … Overabundant gratitude'. Hey everybody! YouTuber Arif Zahir will take over Mike Henry's role on Family Guy's 19th season, which is set to air in the 2021-22 season. “Arif’s vocal talent is obvious, but his understanding of Cleveland and his respect for the character give me confidence that he is in the right hands. Henry will remain a voice cast series regular on Family Guy, He will continue to play Bruce the Performance Artist, Herbert the Pedophile and a slew of ancillary roles and likely will help create new characters to voice. There, on the descriptive box, he describes himself as an aspiring actor and voice actor. “I love this character, but persons of color should play characters of color,” Henry, who is white, said in his announcement about playing Cleveland, who is black. 'I love this character, but persons of color should play characters of color. And to the millions of fans who love this show, I promise not to let you down.”. Arif Zahir will take over the role from Mike Henry. However, Henry was among the white voice-actors who stepped down from playing African-American characters this past summer so performers of color could take on the roles. Mike Henry, who had voiced Brown since the show’s inception in 1999, announced in June that he was steppi… “Firstly, I’m eternally grateful to have received this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Zahir said. Zahir had previously done imitations of Cleveland on his YouTube channel under the name of 'Azzerz'. Overabundant gratitude. 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EXCLUSIVE: 'I still struggle with it - but I'm okay.' "It was a surreal moment. Zahir has done a slew of Cleveland Brown impersonations on his YouTube channel that have raked in millions of views. Family Guy, which was just renewed for Seasons 19 and 20 by Fox, is being steered by creator/executive producer Seth MacFarlane and exec producers/showrunners Rich Appel and Alec Sulkin. You can watch one of the videos below. Therefore, I will be stepping down from the role. “One day I hope to get on the big screen, and voice for animation”– he writes, so sure of his future plans. Zahir, a black man, promised Twitter users on Friday that he won't let them down and shared a public statement about his new role Credit: Youtube/Arif Zahir. YouTube star Arif Zahir will be replacing Mike Henry as Cleveland Brown on Fox's animated series Family Guy after Henry announced in June that he would be stepping down from the role. Overabundant gratitude. The season premieres Sunday night with the show’s 350th episode. The town that doesn't believe in COVID: 'Off-the-rails' mayor of tiny Washington community keeps open its 30... More than 80% of Americans say they WILL get a COVID-19 vaccine - but most want to 'wait a bit' - as Fauci... Bah HumBUG! Published: 13:42 EST, 25 September 2020 | Updated: 21:38 EST, 27 September 2020. Henry appeared pleased with his replacement, as he welcomed Zahir, who is repped by CAA, to the 'Family Guy team' and praised his 'obvious' vocal talent and understanding of Cleveland Brown. In a June Twitter post, Henry wrote: "It’s been an honor to play Cleveland on Family Guy for 20 years. San Francisco to rename Abraham Lincoln High School because former president did not demonstrate that 'black... Kayleigh McEnany STILL won't call President-elect Joe Biden the winner because Donald Trump is pursuing... Joe's pandemic inauguration: Biden WILL be sworn-in outside the Capitol on January 20th but will plead with... 'Family Guy' Casts New Cleveland for Season 19 | Hollywood Reporter. The announcement comes just months after Henry, who previously voiced Cleveland Brown on the animated series for more two decades, revealed he would be stepping down. The long-running satirical cartoon about suburban family life was just picked up for seasons 19 and 20 on Fox after over two decades on the air.. You will be redirected back to your article in, Jimmy Horowitz Named Vice Chairman, NBCUniversal Business Affairs & Operations, Lily James And Sebastian Stan Tapped To Play Pam Anderson And Tommy Lee In Hulu Event Series 'Pam & Tommy', ‘Mr. The casting news comes nearly three months to the day after "Family Guy" writer Mike Henry, who is white, said he would he would no longer voice Cleveland Brown, who is Black. In Season 18, whose episodes had already been completed or were in advanced stages of animation when Henry exited the Cleveland role, will continue to feature Henry as the character. Family Guy is available to stream on Stan in Australia, More inclusive: The casting of Zahir comes as a number of animated shows have committed to casting actors of color to voice non-White roles. 'I was shocked and saddened, assuming we’d never see him again,' Zahir said in a statement, obtained by THR . ', He continued: 'To Mike, you created something truly special and I promise I will do my absolute best to honor your legacy. Mike Henry was the original voice actor for the character of Cleveland Brown, joining the cast of Family Guy all the way back when it premiered in 1999. A YouTuber, Arif Zahir, who goes by the name of Azerrz on the video-sharing platform, has been selected to voice Cleveland on Family Guy's 19th season episodes with the animated show renewed for two more seasons.Announcing about the same, Zahir shared a tweet on September 25 and promised the audience and his fans that he will not let them down. Launch dates for broadcast, cable and streaming programs, Up-to-date lists for broadcast, cable and streaming series, Pandemic-proof vs. pandemic-contingent broadcast lineups, Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters, Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. Arif Zahir is getting ready for his closeup on "Family Guy." Mike Henry, who had voiced Brown since the show’s inception in 1999, announced in June that he was stepping down from the role. Arif Zahir, known for his impressions of Cleveland Brown from "Family Guy," has gone from mimicking the character to actually playing him. Zahir, a black man, promised Twitter users on Friday that he won't let them down and shared a public statement about his new role Credit: Youtube/Arif Zahir. YouTube sensation Arif Zahir, also known as “Azerrz” has won himself a new gig on popular hit cartoon series, Family guy for his exceptional video impressions of the Cleveland Brown character, among many other.. YouTube comedian Arif Zahir has been announced as the new voice of Family Guy 's Cleveland Brown, taking over the role from Mike Henry. Copyright © 2020 Penske Business Media, LLC. When I learned I would get to take over the role? Zahir will begin voicing Cleveland for Season 19 episodes which have just begun production. 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High school teen, 14, is mauled to death by German Shepherd at his family's dog breeding farm. Mike Henry, who is white, has voiced Brown since the Seth MacFarlane-helmed show began in 1999. YouTuber Arif Zahir will take over Mike Henry's role on Family Guy's 19th season, which is set to air in the 2021-22 season. Family Guy have announced that YouTuber Arif Zahir will voice the role of Cleveland Brown on the show going forward.. EXCLUSIVE: 'Where are you and where is my money?' We are no longer accepting comments on this article. We want to hear from you! Similarly, Jenny Slate also made the decision to step down from playing her Missy Foreman-Greenwald on Big Mouth. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. For years, Zahir has shown off his Cleveland Brown impression to his more than six million subscribers on YouTube. Fox’s Family Guy has recast the role of Cleveland Brown with YouTube star Arif Zahir. The casting of Zahir comes as a number of animated shows have committed to casting actors of color to voice non-White roles. Cleveland is one of several characters of color who have been recast with actors of color in the past couple of months after the white actors who had portrayed them exited the roles. I look forward to getting to know Arif and working with him to make sure Cleveland stays every bit as awesome as he has always been.”. Arif Zahir has been cast to voice Cleveland for the 19th season come 2021-2022. Take a visual walk through his career and see 1 image of the character he voiced.. Voice actor and YouTube star Arif Zahir has revealed the process behind him securing the role of Cleveland Brown on Family Guy. Although Arif Zahir started his YouTube career impersonating Cleveland, he continued to pursue other ambitions. 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