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The Hilarious Reason Tom Petty Voiced Lucky Kleinschmidt On King Of The Hill And His Status In The New Revival

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Tom Petty’s legacy extends far beyond the stage and his legendary rock anthems. As of , one of the most enduring and surprising footnotes in his career remains his recurring, beloved voice role as Lucky Kleinschmidt on the animated FOX series, King of the Hill. The rocker's distinctive Southern drawl and laid-back persona were the perfect, unexpected fit for the Arlen, Texas, universe, creating a character who became a late-season fan favorite.

The story of how the iconic frontman of The Heartbreakers ended up voicing Luanne Platter’s future husband is a classic piece of television folklore, rooted in a simple, hilarious character description. Now, with the highly-anticipated King of the Hill revival on Hulu in development, the challenge for creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels is how to honor Petty’s passing and explain the absence of the Kleinschmidt family without disrupting the show's continuity.

Lucky Kleinschmidt: The Character Profile

Lucky Kleinschmidt was introduced in Season 8 and quickly became an integral part of the Hill family's extended circle. Petty voiced the character for 28 episodes, bringing a unique brand of low-key, redneck wisdom to the show.

  • Full Name: Elroy "Lucky" Kleinschmidt
  • First Appearance: "The Redneck on Rainey Street" (Season 8, Episode 1)
  • Spouse: Luanne Platter (voiced by the late Brittany Murphy)
  • Children: Gracie Margaret Kleinschmidt (Daughter)
  • Occupation: Primarily unemployed, known for various odd jobs, and famously received a large settlement for slipping on a puddle of pee-pee at the Costco.
  • Signature Line: Often used the phrase "I slipped on pee-pee at the Costco."
  • Relationship to Hank Hill: Lucky becomes Hank Hill's nephew-in-law after marrying Luanne, much to Hank’s initial chagrin.
  • Voice Actor: Tom Petty (2004–2009)

Lucky's character perfectly encapsulated the "lovable loser" trope, a man who lives by his own set of rules and prioritizes comfort over ambition. His simple, often misguided advice and devotion to Luanne Platter made him a surprisingly sweet addition to the main cast. The character's introduction helped mature Luanne’s storyline, eventually leading to their marriage and the birth of their daughter, Gracie Margaret.

"Tom Petty Without the Success": The Casting Story

The true story behind Tom Petty’s casting is a testament to the show’s unique ability to attract high-profile talent and a stroke of genius by the creative team. It wasn't a celebrity stunt; it was an organic realization of the character's essence.

When the King of the Hill writers were developing the character of Lucky, they needed a specific look and sound for the new love interest of Luanne. A writer on the team described the character as looking exactly like "Tom Petty without the success." This off-the-cuff description resonated immediately with series co-creator Mike Judge.

Instead of merely using the description as a template, Judge decided to take a bold risk: he asked the actual Tom Petty to take on the voice role. To the surprise and delight of the production team, the legendary musician agreed.

Petty's involvement was a rare foray into consistent voice acting for the rock icon. He brought a genuine Southern temperament and a natural, unforced humor to Lucky Kleinschmidt, making the character feel authentic to the show's Texas setting. He voiced Lucky for the remainder of the original series run, up until the final episode in 2009.

This commitment proved that Petty was not just lending his name, but genuinely enjoyed the role. His voice work for Lucky, often described as an "under-the-radar venture," became one of the most fascinating facts about the musician’s diverse career.

The Fate of Lucky Kleinschmidt in the Hulu Revival

The announcement of a King of the Hill revival on Hulu, bringing back the beloved residents of Arlen, immediately raised a critical question for long-time fans: How would the show handle the passing of two key cast members, Tom Petty (2017) and Brittany Murphy (2009)?

The show's creators, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, have faced the difficult task of addressing the absence of both Luanne Platter and Lucky Kleinschmidt. The most recent updates suggest that the revival will likely not recast the characters, choosing instead to write them out of the story.

The decision to exclude the characters is a move to honor the original voice actors. Recasting Luanne and Lucky would be seen as a disservice to the iconic performances of Brittany Murphy and Tom Petty. Therefore, the new season is expected to acknowledge their absence, likely with a storyline that explains where the Kleinschmidt family has gone.

While details are scarce, the showrunners have hinted at a desire to pay homage to the late actors. One source mentions that a tribute, possibly in the form of a song or a dedicated moment, may be included to honor Petty's memory and his contribution to the series. This would be a fitting nod to the musician known for his work with The Heartbreakers.

The challenge for the revival is to mature the show while maintaining its original spirit. The absence of Luanne, Hank Hill's niece, and Lucky, the lovable redneck, will undoubtedly weigh on the new season, but it opens the door for new storylines involving other key entities like Bobby Hill, Peggy Hill, and the rest of the Rainey Street gang.

Tom Petty's performance as Lucky Kleinschmidt remains a unique highlight in the history of animated television. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most authentic characters are found when creators take a chance on an unconventional casting choice, turning a simple character description into an unforgettable voice role.

The Hilarious Reason Tom Petty Voiced Lucky Kleinschmidt on King of the Hill and His Status in the New Revival
king of the hill tom petty
king of the hill tom petty

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