VANIER: More than 30 years the TV show "The Simpsons" has remained pretty much the same, Bart, Lisa and Maggie never get older and homer nets get smarter, but one character is changing, voice actor Hank Azaria says that he is done playing the role of Quickie Mart Owner Apu. Apu was once seen as funny but some now say that he represents offensive stereotypes. One Indian American comedian explained it in this documentary.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've had a great career filled with laughter, critical acclaim, I should be completely happy but there's still one man who haunts me Apu the hours of team of Avalon.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please pay for your purchases and get out and come again.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you know a white guy does the voice?</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A white guy doing an impression of a white guy making fun of my father.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How do you feel about that?</s>HANK AZARIA, ACTOR: Oh, I'm making a movie about how much I dislike it.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right away they were like can you do an Indian voice and how offensive can you make it? I immediately began to talk this way. It's not tremendously accurate, it's a little stereotype. That's all right.</s>VANIER: Hank Azaria is now opening up about why he won't voice the Apu anymore. He said he gradually became aware that Apu was hurtful. Azaria is Jewish and he tells "The New York Times" I started thinking if that character were the only representation of Jewish people in American culture for 20 years which was the case with Apu I might not like that. The Executive Producer of "The Simpsons" says Apu will remain on the show and they will find a new actor to provide his voice. And that is THE BRIEF for today. I'm Cyril Vanier. Up next as promised, you have got "WORLD SPORT." Don't go anywhere.
Actor Explains Why He Will Stop Voicing "Simpsons" Character.