Media Scribbler

Obviously, Isaac Hayes did not get his fame from television. But the character he created on “South Park“, Chef, will probably go down in history as one of the most remembered cartoon characters that’s not made by Disney or Looney Tunes.

Another thing he’ll be remembered for is for abandoning his role when creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone made an ep that made fun of Hayes’ religion, Scientology, in the episode “Trapped in the Closet“. It ended up turning out pretty ugly, with Parker and Stone sending Chef off in a really crass way (which, really, was only to be expected from them in that saga.

“There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins,” Hayes said in a press statement after his split from “South Park”.

This is not the place to debate whether Hayes was actually saying that for himself at that point (it was rumored he was incapacitated at the time) or if he was being hypocritical or if his beliefs were even an actual religion. But quitting a role in a hit show because it offends your religious beliefs is kinda rare in Hollywood, or least doing it publically. Kirk Cameron is the only other mainstream actor who immediately springs to mind.

In any case, Hayes should be remembered fondly for the phrase “chocolate salty balls”, which will go down as one of the most remembered “South Park” catchphrases, and for being both smooth and funny. Much love to his family and friends.

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