Hank Azaria says he's ready to stop voicing Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu should 

 decide to make changes in the character in the wake of criticism that he's a stereotype.

&nbsp;that he hopes the Fox animated show makes a change, and he's willing to step aside if necessary.

.<a href="https://twitter.com/HankAzaria?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HankAzaria</a> addresses the controversy surrounding the character ‘Apu’ from <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSimpsons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheSimpsons</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LSSC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LSSC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Apu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Apu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheSimpsons?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheSimpsons</a> <a href="https://t.co/pkmYgcX4Il">pic.twitter.com/pkmYgcX4Il</a>

"I'm perfectly willing and happy to step aside or help transition it into something new. I really hope that's what 

"It just feels like the right thing to do."

In this April 24, 2018 photo released by CBS, actor Hank Azaria, left appears with host Stephen Colbert on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," in New York. Azaria is ready to stop voicing Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu on ‚ÄúThe Simpsons‚Äù in the wake of criticism that it is a stereotype. Azaria on Tuesday‚Äôs ‚ÄúThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert‚Äù says he hopes the animated show makes a change and he‚Äôs willing to step aside if necessary. (Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via AP)

The Simpsons-Apu

People of South Asian heritage have criticized the heavily accented Apu for reinforcing stereotypes they say lead to bullying and self-loathing.

Much ado about Apu: Is The Simpsons character a tired stereotype?

The Simpsons showrunner Al Jean is one of many responding to recent controversy over the South Asian character of Apu.

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is shown during a scene in The Simpsons.

Apu 

Hank Azaria has been the voice of The Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon since he first appeared on the comedy series in 1990. The white actor said earlier this year that he would no longer provide the voice of the convenience store manager.

'That's a white guy making fun of me': one comedian's problem with The Simpsons' Apu

Comedian Hari Kondabolu's new documentary, The Problem With Apu, takes a look at the popular Simpsons character and the issues with stereotyping Indian people.

Hari Kondabolu

'That's a white guy making fun of me': comedian Hari Kondabolu's problem with Apu

'This is the life that I grew up with': Why The Simpsons' Apu is more than a stereotype

South Asian-American TV producer Amar Shah says there's more to Apu than meets the eye.

A poster with The Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is displayed on the window of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Burbank, California. The depiction of Apu has been the centre of criticism recently.

FILM/SIMPSONS

Azaria said it would make him sad if anyone was bullied because of Apu. He said he "wanted to spread laughter and joy with this character."

Actor Hank Azaria says he's willing to stop voicing Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu on The Simpsons in the wake of criticism that it's a stereotype, should the character be dropped.

Hank Azaria willing to stop voicing Apu on The Simpsons

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