Abhiroop Das
Season 14 of Hulu’s ‘King of the Hill’ serves as a reboot, bringing many characters from the classic show back to the forefront. Together, the Hills, along with their neighbouring friends and family, paint a rich picture of the suburban lifestyle. An indispensable element in that portrayal is the love story of Luanne Platter Kleinschmidt and Lucky Kleinschmidt, which adds its own unique twist to a story centered mainly on middle-aged crises. While the former is the Hill’s niece, who is forced to crash their house for a significant amount of time, the latter is described as a hillibilly who struggles to maintain a regular life. Together, the two create equal parts joy and chaos, leaving fans eager for another taste. However, their absence from the show prompts a deeper, more heartwrenching look at the creative forces behind the show. SPOILERS AHEAD.
The Untimely Death of the Voice Actors Stopped Lucky and Luanne From Reappearing
Lucky Kleinschmidt and Luanne Platter Kleinschmidt, voiced by Tom Petty and Brittany Murphy, respectively, did not appear in the new season of ‘King of the Hill’ because of the passing away of the voice actors. The characters were not even referenced in any way, showcasing a bold creative decision. Talking about the decision not to recast the characters, the showrunner Saladin K. Patterson said in an interview with ComicBook: “The analogy I use as a sports fan is, sometimes the best way to honor someone’s work is to hang their jersey up in the rafters as a show of respect and what they meant to the organization.” Addressing the future roles of the characters, he added, “It didn’t seem right to recast certain characters. I don’t want to spoil anything, but (we) figured out other ways in the storytelling to honor those characters.”
Both actors have played an integral part in the story. Brittany Murphy also portrayed a young Joseph Gribble from 1997 to 2000. Petty continues the trend, having also voiced the character of Mud Dobber. The two actors soon grew to become fan favourites, with the arcs of their respective roles taking center stage in the latter half of the show. Particularly, Luanne’s pregnancy served as the constant backdrop from seasons 10 to 13. Outside of ‘King of the Hill,’ both have a stellar resume, with Murphy starring in hit titles such as ‘Uptown Girls,’ ‘Clueless,’ and ‘Eight Mile.’ Besides being an ace voice actor, Petty is also one of the most successful musicians of all time, having led popular bands such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Mudcrutch.
A Medical Emergency Contributed to Brittany Murphy and Tom Petty’s Deaths
Brittany Murphy, who essayed Luanne, passed away on December 20, 2009, at 32. She was found in her Hollywood Hills residence in Los Angeles. While the reports concluded the manner of death to be accidental, caused primarily by pneumonia, the combined effects of multiple medications were also noted to be a factor. A mix of prescription and over-the-counter medicines was likely taken due to her severe iron deficiency. Furthermore, she supposedly showed symptoms consistent with a respiratory illness that had not been addressed medically. In the years since, some relatives have alleged that her death may have involved foul play or toxic exposure; however, coroner and toxicology findings did not substantiate these claims.
On the other hand, Tom Petty, Lucky’s voice actor, died on October 2, 2017, at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles after being found unconscious at his Malibu residence. The 66-year-old’s death was determined to be accidental, caused by multi‑system organ failure from mixed drug toxicity. A host of prescription medications, reportedly taken for a wide variety of bodily injuries, contributed to the fatal overdose. Petty had recently completed a fortieth anniversary tour, performing despite serious health issues, and medical reports found him using many therapeutic drugs at once, against professional advice. Questions were raised about foul play; however, no evidence suggested intentional overdose, and no criminal proceedings followed, with the case closed as an accidental death.
Lucky and Luanne’s Absence Likely Informs the Show’s Take on Loneliness
Luanne and Lucky’s final appearance in the show’s thirteenth season brings their dynamic to a climax, with the birth of their child, Gracie Margaret Kleinschmidt. This marks a new chapter in the couple’s relationship, with the prospect of raising a daughter together finally grounding them. Previously, the duo’s time together was strained by their shortcomings. While Lucky expanded boundaries with the self-imposed condition of not marrying his loved one before receiving a GED, Luanne’s vindictive streak often became the source of many conflicts. However, their marriage in the tenth season serves as a stepping stone to a more prosperous relationship. While Lucky finally finds his footing in life, Luanne matures as an individual and partner.
As such, Luanne and Lucky’s love story is defined by the idea of the sum being greater than the parts. Their absence in the story takes away one of its most emotional beats and two of its most expressive characters. However, the show incorporates this transition into its narrative by making the Hill family’s loneliness a large part of their dilemma in the fourteenth season. Having just returned from Saudi Arabia and living away from their son, the group is constantly afflicted with listlessness and the urge to contribute. Both these problems were previously filled by the family, along with the rest of the cast, being embroiled in the young couple’s shenanigans. However, both the characters and the creative team now have to deal with this change. Beyond that, Saladin K. Patternson has repeatedly teased a tribute in the following seasons honoring the two actors.
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