Kanye West To Appear in Fox Animated Series Spin-Off

We all know that Kanye West is a character, but this time it's for work -- not real life. West has signed on to appear in an episode of the new Fox animated series 'The Cleveland Show.' After performing on American Idol last week, West participated in a table read for the animated show which features stars Sanaa Lathan and Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson.

"It was surprising to us that [he] was so into it that he came to the table [read], and wonderfully surprising how cool he was, how funny he was and how unassuming he was," says executive producer Mike Henry, who is the voice of Cleveland Brown and other characters on the show. "He's just a great presence."

For his episode the Chicago born emcee plays a not so famous rapper by the name of Kenny West. "We just recorded him in the booth and he was fantastic," said executive producer Richard Appel. "Once he read it a couple times through, he just owned the character, which I guess isn't hard since he was named Kenny West. He said he'd be glad to [be back]. I said we could write him in to the next 21 episodes!"

West is a fan and friend of show creator Seth MacFarlane, who also created the animated hits 'Family Guy' and 'American Dad.' 'The Cleveland Show' is a spin-off of Family Guy and follows the life of African-American character, Cleveland Brown. On the show fans will meet the other members of Cleveland's family, including his wife and children, and see how their life changed after moving from Virginia to Rhode Island.

The show is set to premier on Fox in Fall 2009.

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Kanye West Pictures

Leslie Mann, Kanye West and Producer Judd Apatow at the Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Pineapple Express" on July 31, 2008 at Mann Village Theatre, CA..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Pineapple Express".Mann Villate Theatre .Westwood, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com..To license this image (15941869), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Rapper Kanye West arrives to the premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" at Mann Village Theater on July 31, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" - Red Carpet and After Party.Mann Village Theater.Los Angeles, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by John Shearer/WireImage.com..To license this image (15941046), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Kanye West arrives at the Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" at the Mann Village Theater on July 31, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..The Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Pineapple Express" - Arrivals.Mann Village Theater.Los Angeles, CA United States.July 31, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (15940839), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

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Categories: Television