Actor Who Plays ‘Apu’ on ‘The Simpsons’ Willing to Step Aside From Role Hank Azaria, who plays the Indian character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon on 'The Simpsons', told Stephen Colbert he is willing to step aside from the character. Hank Azaria, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Hank Azaria, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Azaria’s comments come after the release of a documentary called ‘The Problem with Apu’, which shows the Indian stereotypes portrayed by Azaria’s Apu. Hank Azaria, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert