Bobby Hill (Pamela Adlon) has come a long way since the days of wearing short pants and dabbling in prop comedy. In Season 14 of King of the Hill, the self-assured young man has grown into a confident and poised adult who knows who he is and where he’s headed. But for longtime fans of the show, the seeds of Bobby’s transformation were always there — you just had to know where to look.
At just 12 years old, Bobby stood out. He possessed an emotional intelligence far beyond that of his peers, boundless empathy, and an unapologetic individuality that set him apart. Unlike other kids his age, he never caved to trends, backed down from bullies, or compromised his beliefs. Add in his relentless optimism, and Bobby became a symbol for underdogs: unflinching in his self-worth, quietly brave in his convictions, and proudly himself in a world that often expected conformity.
So it’s no surprise that, as a man in his 20s, Bobby carries the same confidence, conviction, and cheerfulness into his daily life. As a chef, he takes pride in his craft, turning the one hobby he once shared with his father, Hank Hill, into a career as a culinary creator at Robata Chane, a German-Japanese fusion restaurant in Dallas, Texas.
As a friend, Bobby’s optimism extends to everyone he meets. He always tries to see the best in people, even in his terrible business partner, Chane Wassanasong (Ki Hong Lee), a lazy freeloader who contributes nothing to the restaurant and, to make matters worse, once dated Bobby’s longtime crush, Connie Souphanousinphone (Lauren Tom).
And as for his romantic life, Bobby is crushing it. He inherited his respect for women from his father, along with a rare emotional intelligence that sets him apart from other men his age. His ability to make everyone around him feel seen and valued draws people in. Combined with his body positivity and unwavering optimism, Bobby radiates good vibes that make him irresistible to others. Peers want to be his friends, while women seek him out as a romantic partner.
According to actor Pamela Adlon, who has been the voice and heart of Bobby since the debut of King of the Hill back in 1997, the transformation of Bobby from an endearing but slightly awkward boy to a magnetic and self-assured young man was inevitable.
“He was always a free thinker, like, outside the box,” said Adlon. “It’s just now seeing all of those things about him that people would call ‘quirky’ or ‘different,’ the fact that Bobby is now 20 or 21, and he’s actually working in a service industry as a chef, and his other friends are going to university.”
“He’s missing things that people get when they go to college and have that social interaction with everybody. But he’s actually already having to be a grown-up, which is really, really fun,” continues Adlon. “The fact that he’s working and doing something that he’s passionate about, specifically a Japanese-German fusion restaurant in Dallas, Texas, makes it all the most satisfying.”
The truth is, Bobby’s real metamorphosis lies in being the best of both his parents. He has Hank’s (Mike Judge) calm, collected nature and Peggy’s (Kathy Najimy) creative passion, all wrapped in his own unique blend of gumption and gravitas. It’s the same mix that made audiences fall in love with him as a child and keeps them rooting for him as an adult. Now in his 20s, Bobby still carries that distinct charm, which not only makes the character work, but adds a joyful spark to the revival.
“He obviously challenged his father more than his mother. I think Peggy was always more accepting and understanding of Bobby, and just being a parent, it came easier her than maybe it would have to Hank,” said Adlon.
Adlon makes the point: “You see Bobby being the perfect encapsulation of both his parents, but still the young man that he was always kind of barreling towards becoming. He’s an artist, he’s a creative, he’s always been that way. That is Peggy. But he’s also responsible. And very proud and with a work ethic, just like Hank.”
— Additional reporting from Alyssa Norwin
King of the Hill, Season 14, Hulu