Mike Henry was the original voice of Cleveland Brown, and also continues to voice Herbert, as well as some minor recurring characters like the mild-mannered Bruce, Consuela the housekeeper, and the Greased-Up Deaf Guy. Henry met MacFarlane at the Rhode Island School of Design and kept in touch with him after they graduated. A few years later, MacFarlane contacted him about being part of the show; he agreed and came on as both a writer and voice actor. Henry based Cleveland's voice on one of his basketball partners in Virginia. During the show's first four seasons, he was credited as a guest star, but beginning with season five's "Prick Up Your Ears", he has been credited as a main cast member.