Dale Gribble

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Image:Gribble.jpg Dale Alvin Gribble (voiced by Johnny Hardwick) is a character in the animated series King of the Hill. He is an exterminator, chain-smoker, and paranoid believer of almost all conspiracy theories. Due to his beliefs, he uses the alias "Rusty Shackleford" whenever he doesn't want his real name known, including when ordering pizza. The neighborhood block charter is the only document Dale has ever signed with his real name; he refuses to sign any document authorized by a government official. His paranoia about the government stems from the belief that his father, Bug Gribble, works as an operative for them. He is also estranged from his father because he saw him kissing his wife, Nancy, on the lips on their wedding day. In truth, Bug only kissed Nancy to hide the fact that he was actually homosexual and kissing his caterer. Dale did not see or learn the truth about his father for twenty years, while Bug worked as a rider at a gay cowboy rodeo. Both father and son reconciled their differences.

Although he is highly suspicious of the government and of other people, he is not aware (although everyone else is) that his wife Nancy had an affair with John Redcorn for nearly fifteen years, and that Redcorn is the biological father of his son, Joseph. When Peggy Hill (finally) found out, she thought about telling Dale, but then decided not to at the last minute after seeing how well Dale and Joseph interact with each other, figuring she shouldn't spoil the happiness. Dale's inability to figure out Nancy cheated on him (even though he realizes Joseph looks nothing like him) may be the result the blinding love he feels for her. Incidentally, whenever Dale makes a comment about being Joseph's father, John Redcorn will show up.

He runs his own business, Dale's Dead Bug, and drives a Dodge Caravan (nicknamed the "Bugabago", pronounced "Bug-ah-bay-go") with a large, fake, dead queen ant perched on the roof. Dale's favorite TV shows are Sanford and Son and What's Happening!! He enjoys drinking Alamo Beer with his long-time friends and neighbors, Hank Hill, Bill Dauterive, and Boomhauer.

Purportedly, he shares a birthday with Van Cliburn (July 12). Though the year is unknown it is likely that he was born in the late 1950s.

Dale has taken Russian correspondence courses and can speak the language.

Dale has an oral fixation, and is consequently a chain smoker. He once attempted to quit smoking and switch to smokeless tobacco, but Nancy told him that there was a new rule about no spitting in the house. So, then he started smoking again.

Trivia

• Dale looks very much like Mike Judge when he removes his ubiquitous hat and dark glasses. Other than that, his appearance was mostly based on actor Robert Patrick, whom Mike Judge had hoped to sign for the part.
• Much like Hank who looks/sounds like Tom from Beavis and Butt-head, Dale resembles another chacter from the Beavis and Butt-head show. In some Beavis and Butt-head episodes, a skinny, bald, smoking man in his underware wearing sun glasses can be seen. This man is the husband of the Trailer park Phone sex woman. Image:Predale.JPG
• Dale's last name is a tribute to Mike Gribble, who died of cancer in 1994. Gribble, along with Craig "Spike" Decker, founded the Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation in San Diego. The Festival is considered the birthplace of Beavis and Butt-head, since Spike and Mike produced Judge's first two Beavis and Butt-head shorts.
• Stephen Root originally auditioned for the part of Dale, but was cast as Bill instead.
• There is an inconsistency regarding the appearance of Dale's father, Bug Gribble. When Bug was seen in a flash back from season one, in the episode "The Order of the Straight Arrow", he looked almost exacty like Dale, only older and more rugged. This figure of Bug was again shown in a flashback in the episode "Now Who's the Dummy?". When Bug was seen in person when Hank tried to reunite Bug and Dale for Dale renewing his vows with Nancy, Bug was given an overhaul, looking nothing like Dale.
• The song "Get In Line" by Barenaked Ladies, on the King of the Hill soundtrack is based on Dale. The song's music video features the band members performing various conspiracies on him.