Why did Isaac hayes leave South Park? Late voice actor Isaac Hayes II used to play the role of Chef, the cook at the elementary school where almost the entire plot of “South Park” is set. When the series creators started, Isaac Hayes was the biggest name in the cast ensemble, and while the creators did all the kids’ voices, they wanted Hayes to play Chef as Isaac Hayes was loved by fans for being the innovative voice of reason in a show.
However, Isaac Hayes took a shocking exit from the show, which made way to a huge controversy followed by a bitter feud with series showrunners Parker and Stone. Isaac Hayes’ departure from the show came as a response to South Park‘s controversial 2005 episode “Trapped in the Closet.”
The episode grabbed huge attention as iconic actor Tom Cruise was shown hiding in an actual closet, as the actor refused to get out, and not to forget how the makers seemingly took a dig at Scientology. Let us find out why did Isaac hayes leave South Park.
Why Did Isaac Hayes Leave South Park?
Isaac Hayes suffered from a stroke, after which there was a press release that stated confirming his exit from the show. Hayes rather made a shocking statement saying how as a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, he cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices. The statement went on to create huge controversy, and even Hayes’ son later claimed that the stroke had left his father incapacitated.
The makers of the show were, however, not very happy about the statement issued by the late star. While series creators Matt and Trey supported Isaac Hayes III’s comments about his father’s departure from the show but also admitted that they were rather unhappy with being called a vehicle for “bigotry.”
Also read: What Happened to Kenny in South Park?
South Park Creators Talk About Hayes’ Departure
South Park co-creator Matt Stone addressed Hayes’ departure from the series as Stone claimed that the voice actor used to practice a double standard as far as the treatment of religion on the show was concerned. The creator further added that they never heard a peep out of Isaac in any way until they lampooned Scientology.
Matt claimed that Isaac wants a different standard for religions other than his own, and as per the creator, this is where intolerance and bigotry begin.
Matt Stone went on to reveal that he even spoke with the voice actor after they finished the episode and claimed that it was pretty obvious from the conversation that somebody had sent him to ask them to pull the episode. As the episode had already gone on air, they did not tell him because they did not want him to be held accountable for it.
Hayes III Makes Shocking Revelation!
While Isaac’s exit from the show went on to give way to several speculations, it was later when the actor’s son, Hayes III, claimed that Isaac Hayes did not quit South Park and that it was someone who quit South Park for him.
Hayes III went on to explain how his father had a stroke and, as a result, lost the ability to speak, and as he didn’t have that much comprehension, Isaac Hayes had to relearn to play the piano along with other different things.
Hayes III claimed that given Isaac’s health issue, Isaac was in no position to resign under his knowledge while pointing out her father was not that big of a hypocrite to be part of a show that has constantly poked fun at African-American people, Jewish people, gay people and would only quit when it comes to Scientology while concluding saying that his father would not be that hypocritical.
Also read: Top 10 Best South Park Characters
