Isaac Hayes III, son of the late soul legend Isaac Hayes, has publicly clarified the circumstances surrounding his father's departure from the animated series South Park, asserting that the decision was made by his father's Scientology circle following a debilitating stroke in 2006. This revelation challenges the long-standing narrative that Hayes, the voice of the beloved character Chef, willingly quit the show due to its satirical portrayal of Scientology.
In a recent tweet, Isaac Hayes III stated, > "My dad did not quit South Park. Scientology did." He explained that after the 2005 South Park episode "Trapped in the Closet" aired, his father suffered a stroke just months later, which left him unable to speak or make independent decisions. This health crisis, according to his son, rendered him in no condition to resign from anything.
The son further elaborated that the widely accepted story t hat Isaac Hayes was offended by the show's satire and chose to leave
was a fabrication. > "The narrative that he quit because he was offended by the satire is not true. That was a cover story created by others," Isaac Hayes III tweeted. He emphasized that his father cherished his role as Chef, enjoyed connecting with fans, and would have never willingly abandoned the character or the show.
The statement from Hayes III highlights that individuals within his father's Scientology circle made the decision to quit the show on his behalf. At the time of the stroke, those closest to Isaac Hayes were deeply involved in Scientology, leading to the belief that they acted without his consent or full comprehension. This sheds new light on the controversial exit that occurred just as South Park was gaining significant attention for its bold satire.
This account aligns with previous statements from South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, who had expressed skepticism about Hayes's sudden departure, noting his prior comfort with the show's lampooning of various religions. The show subsequently addressed Chef's absence by killing off the character in the episode "The Return of Chef," using pre-recorded dialogue. Isaac Hayes passed away two years after his stroke in 2008.
Isaac Hayes III expressed his motivation to finally set the record straight, stating that his father was robbed of the chance to speak for himself due to his health. He aims to provide clarity for fans who admired his father's work and the character of Chef, ensuring the truth about the circumstances of his departure is known. This clarification seeks to correct a historical misunderstanding about the iconic musician's final years on the show.