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20ish years ago, Isaac Hayes, a famed singer and composer who served as the voice of the character Chef on South Park, left the show. At the time, it was speculated that Hayes’ took issue with the show’s portrayal of Scientology.
According to Isaac Hayes II, his father did not leave the show because of his own personal feelings about how the show made fun of Scientology. Instead, Hayes says, his father was unwell and the decision was made for him by the Church of Scientology.
Hayes voiced the character of Chef for 10 seasons of South Park from 1997 to 2006. South Park remains on the air to this day and is one of the must successful and longest-running shows in the history of American television.
“My dad did not quit South Park. Scientology did,” Hayes said in a recent statement.
“After the episode ‘Trapped in the Closet’ aired in 2005, my father suffered a stroke just a few months later that left him unable to speak or make decisions on his own. He was not in any condition to resign from anything. The truth is, someone else within his Scientology circle made that decision and quit the show for him.”
“He loved being the voice of Chef. He loved the character. He loved connecting with fans. He would joke with people who recognized his voice and he truly enjoyed being part of the show. The narrative that he quit because he was offended by the satire is not true. That was a cover story created by others. My father never got to speak for himself because his health robbed him of that chance.”
“So now I am speaking for him. He did not leave South Park willingly. He was forced out by illness and by people who did not have his best interest at heart.”
For over 14 years, people have speculated about why my father @isaachayes left South Park. I’m here to set the record straight.
My dad did not quit South Park. Scientology did.
After the episode “Trapped in the Closet” aired in 2005, my father suffered a stroke just a few… pic.twitter.com/C2wGvT7kcx
— Isaac Hayes III (@IsaacHayes3) July 18, 2025
Hayes also did a lengthy interview with Cracked on the topic, which you can read here.
The 27th season of South Park is set to premiere on Comedy Central this Wednesday, July 23. You can check out the trailer for the latest batch of South Park episodes below.
Content shared from brobible.com.