Charlie Fortner is the President of the Texas Association of Propane Dealers and the most powerful man in the Texas propane industry. Additionally, he is also a member of the Board of Governors of the National Propane Gas Consortium. He was voiced by Lane Smith in his first two appearances in Season 4. In his final appearance, Fortner had a non-speaking role, likely due to the death of Lane Smith several years prior to Season 13.
Appearance[]
Fortner is an elderly Caucasian man with a skinny build, pale skin, and short gray hair. He wears a brown suit over a white dress shirt. In Season 4, his necktie is black, whereas in Season 13, his necktie is red.
History[]
Season 4[]
In "Hanky Panky", at the beginning of the episode, he announced that Hank Hill won the Blue Flame of Valor award. Walking off stage, he allowed Hank to give his speech, which was interrupted by Elizabeth "Miz Liz" Strickland confronting her husband Buck Strickland for cheating on her with Debbie Grund.
Later, in "Meet the Propaniacs", he invited Hank and his coworkers to perform their Propaniacs skits at the Southwest Propane Gas Trade Show in Arlington, Texas. There, Fortner sat in the audience and observed the comedic show. Although Hank, role playing as a sheriff named "Gas Cop", wanted him to perform in the show, he politely declined. Nonetheless, Fortner was forced against his will to perform in the show, being escorted by Hank on stage. To his confusion, Joe Jack dressed as a baby while asking for a new diaper from him, but Joe Jack's own diaper fell off. As Fortner tried to get off the stage, Hank frisked him and, much to his shock, discovered that Fortner wore adult diapers. Later on, in his office, Fortner yelled at Hank, thinking everyone knew about his wearing diapers despite it being an innocent coincidence. Trying to relate to him, Hank claimed to wear diapers, prompting Fortner to see through his lie by asking him which brand was the most absorbent. He threatened to fire Hank if the shows continued, bringing in an end to the comedy group, though the Propaniacs did try to play in a mall, where Fortner's influences could not reach.
Season 13[]
In "What Happens at the National Propane Gas Convention in Memphis Stays at the National Propane Gas Convention in Memphis", at the National Propane Gas Convention in Memphis, Tennessee, Fortner attended Pollard Wigant's board meeting to decide how they would reprimand Hank for his drunken behavior at the Hall of Flame award ceremony. Furthermore, it was revealed that he has a wife, Wendy Fortner, who is a member of the "Platinum Circle", a group of women whose husbands are in the consortium. During the meeting, he listened to Wigant relay the certainty of punishment to Hank until the board leader received a call from Buck Strickland. When Wigant ended the call, he quietly informed Fortner and the others that Buck was hosting another "hospitality suite" (a slang phrase for a meeting with prostitutes), exciting Fortner. Subsequently, the men left the meeting temporarily to take on Buck's offer, ordering Hank to stay put. At the suite, while he was fraternizing with one of the women, Fortner listened to Buck tell them that he wanted them to revoke Hank's punishment, making him realize that the event was a setup. He and the men tried to flee the hotel room but were blocked by the women. Learning that their wives were near the room and would be let inside if they refused to heed Buck's request, the men agreed to his demand, even giving Hank a Hall of Flamer jacket.
Episode appearances[]
- Season 4
- Season 13