Henry’s break came in 1998, when MacFarlane contacted him about being part of a new show called Family Guy.
Mike agreed and joined the project as a writer and voice actor.
Henry has stated that the inspiration for Cleveland's voice was based on "this guy that [he] had once played basketball with".
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.

Two episodes into the second season, Family Guy was taken off the network's permanent schedule and shown irregularly thereafter.
The show returned in March 2000 to finish airing the second season which contained 21 episodes; all the cast came back for the series return.
During its second season, Fox publicly announced that the show had been cancelled.
Despite the announced cancellation, in 2001 Fox decided to make the third season.
During the third season, Fox announced that the show was canceled for good.
Soon after Family Guy was cancelled, Henry and his brother created the popular web series Kicked in the Nuts, a spoof of hidden camera shows.
Family Guy was renewed again in 2005 for its fourth season due to strong DVD sales and its syndication on basic cable networks.
Once again Henry and the rest of the cast came back for their voice works.
In October 2017, Family Guy was renewed for its 16th season.

On June 26, 2020, Mike Henry announced on Twitter that he was stepping down from voicing Cleveland, stating "persons of color should play characters of color."
Henry’s break came in 1998, when MacFarlane contacted him about being part of a new show called Family Guy. Mike agreed and joined the project as a writer and voice actor. Henry has stated that the inspiration for Cleveland's voice was based on "this guy that [he] had once played basketball with". 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.
Two episodes into the second season, Family Guy was taken off the network's permanent schedule and shown irregularly thereafter. The show returned in March 2000 to finish airing the second season which contained 21 episodes; all the cast came back for the series return. During its second season, Fox publicly announced that the show had been cancelled. Despite the announced cancellation, in 2001 Fox decided to make the third season. During the third season, Fox announced that the show was canceled for good. Soon after Family Guy was cancelled, Henry and his brother created the popular web series Kicked in the Nuts, a spoof of hidden camera shows. Family Guy was renewed again in 2005 for its fourth season due to strong DVD sales and its syndication on basic cable networks. Once again Henry and the rest of the cast came back for their voice works. In October 2017, Family Guy was renewed for its 16th season.
On June 26, 2020, Mike Henry announced on Twitter that he was stepping down from voicing Cleveland, stating "persons of color should play characters of color."
Mike Henry (voice actor)