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Seth MacFarlane: From Family Guy to American Dad!
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Seth MacFarlane is an acclaimed American actor, animator, writer, producer, director, comedian, and singer best known as the creator of the hit animated series Family Guy and co-creator of American Dad! and The Cleveland Show. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, MacFarlane began his career working as an animator and writer for Hanna-Barbera Productions before creating his breakout show Family Guy in 1999.
MacFarlane's Early Life
britannica.com
Seth Woodbury MacFarlane was born on October 26, 1973, in Kent, Connecticut, to parents Ronald Milton MacFarlane, a teacher, and Ann Perry Sager, an academic administrator.
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He has a younger sister named Rachael, who is also a voice actress.2
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From a very young age, MacFarlane showed a keen interest in illustration and animation. He began drawing cartoon characters like Woody Woodpecker and Fred Flintstone at just two years old.3
By age nine, he was publishing his own weekly comic strip called "Walter Crouton" in his local newspaper, earning $5 per week.1
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MacFarlane attended the Kent School in Connecticut for high school.2
He then went on to study animation at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.1
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It was his thesis film at RISD, titled "The Life of Larry," that initially caught the attention of Hanna-Barbera Productions and paved the way for his career in animation.1
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MacFarlane's Early Career and Influences
en.wikipedia.org
Seth MacFarlane's early career and influences played a significant role in shaping his unique comedic style. After studying animation at the Rhode Island School of Design, MacFarlane was hired by Hanna-Barbera Productions based on the strength of his thesis film "The Life of Larry", which featured early versions of the Family Guy characters.
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At Hanna-Barbera, he worked as a writer and animator on shows like Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, and Dexter's Laboratory.2
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MacFarlane has cited a wide range of influences on his comedy, including Jackie Gleason, Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Monty Python, and popular sitcoms from the 1980s.1
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His musical tastes lean more traditional, drawing inspiration from classic crooners like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.4
This blend of ribald humor and old-school class has become a hallmark of MacFarlane's style, allowing him to create boundary-pushing comedy while also indulging his passion for musical theater and the Great American Songbook.1
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Seth MacFarlane: Creator of the Hit Animated Sitcom Family Guy
watchmojo.com
Seth MacFarlane's most notable work in television is creating the hit animated sitcom Family Guy, which premiered on Fox in 1999.
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The show follows the dysfunctional Griffin family and is known for its irreverent humor, pop culture parodies, and MacFarlane's voice work as characters like Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin, and Brian Griffin. 4
Despite being canceled in 2002, Family Guy was revived in 2005 due to strong DVD sales and became a cultural phenomenon. 1
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Building on Family Guy's success, MacFarlane co-created the animated series American Dad! in 2005, which follows an ultra-patriotic CIA agent and his family. 2
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He also co-created the spin-off series The Cleveland Show in 2009, though it was canceled after four seasons. 1
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MacFarlane has served as writer, producer, and lead voice actor for these shows, showcasing his versatility in the animated comedy genre. 4
Beyond his own creations, MacFarlane has produced other animated series like Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, and the live-action sitcoms Dads and Blunt Talk. 1
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His work in television has earned him numerous accolades, including five Primetime Emmy Awards for Family Guy. 1
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From Animation to Live-Action: Seth MacFarlane Directs and Voices 'Ted'
syfy.com
Seth MacFarlane made his live-action directorial debut with the 2012 comedy film Ted, in which he starred as the voice of the titular foul-mouthed teddy bear.
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MacFarlane also wrote the screenplay and served as a producer on the film, which follows a man (Mark Wahlberg) whose childhood wish brings his teddy bear to life as a walking, talking companion.1
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Ted was a critical and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing original R-rated comedy of all time.1
MacFarlane reprised his voice role as Ted in the 2015 sequel Ted 2, which he again wrote, directed, and produced.3
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The film follows Ted's legal battle to be recognized as a person and not property, co-starring Wahlberg, Amanda Seyfried, and Morgan Freeman.4
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While not as well-received as the original, Ted 2 still performed solidly at the box office, grossing over $215 million worldwide against a $68 million budget.5
Through the Ted films, MacFarlane demonstrated his ability to successfully transition from animated television to live-action feature films, blending his signature irreverent humor with heartfelt storytelling.3
The movies cemented his status as a multi-talented writer, director, producer, and voice actor in both animation and live-action comedy.1
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Seth MacFarlane Brings 'Ted' to TV
peacocktv.com
Seth MacFarlane's hit 2012 comedy film Ted has been revived as a prequel TV series on Peacock. The seven-episode first season, which premiered in January 2024, is set in 1993 and follows the misadventures of the foul-mouthed teddy bear Ted (voiced by MacFarlane) and his 16-year-old best friend John Bennett (Max Burkholder).
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The series utilizes extensive motion capture and visual effects work to bring Ted to life, making it an expensive production budgeted at around $10 million per episode.1
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Despite the high costs, Peacock renewed Ted for a second season in May 2024 after it became the streamer's most-watched original series and the #1 original streaming comedy in the U.S. for over two months.1
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In addition to MacFarlane voicing Ted, the series stars Scott Grimes and Alanna Ubach as John's parents, and Giorgia Whigham as his cousin.1
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It explores Ted's fading fame and his antics with the teenage John, serving as a creative prequel to the popular film franchise.2
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Seth MacFarlane (Photos)
en.wikipedia.org
ew.com
emmys.com
MacFarlane's Awards and Honors
Seth MacFarlane has received numerous prestigious awards and accolades throughout his illustrious career, cementing his status as one of the most celebrated entertainers of his generation.
MacFarlane has won five Primetime Emmy Awards out of 24 nominations for his work on Family Guy, including Outstanding Voice-Over Performance in 2000, 2016, 2017, and 2019.
| Award | Wins | Nominations |
|---|---|---|
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 5 | 24 |
| Grammy Awards | 0 | 5 |
| Academy Awards | 0 | 1 |
| Annie Awards | 1 | 2 |
| Saturn Awards | 0 | 2 |
| Teen Choice Awards | 1 | 6 |
| Writers Guild of America Awards | 1 | - |
| Producers Guild of America Awards | 1 | - |
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He has also received five Grammy nominations for albums like Music Is Better Than Words and In Full Swing.3
In 2013, MacFarlane earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for co-writing "Everybody Needs a Best Friend" from the film Ted.1
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He won an Annie Award in 2006 for Outstanding Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production for Family Guy.3
Other major honors include a Writers Guild of America Award, a Producers Guild of America Award for Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, and a Teen Choice Award.1
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In 2019, MacFarlane received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2020 he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy in the entertainment industry.2
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Seth MacFarlane's Diverse Filmography
Seth MacFarlane has an extensive filmography spanning television, film, and music. Some of his most notable works include:
MacFarlane's work often showcases his affinity for blending irreverent, boundary-pushing humor with old-school Hollywood sensibilities.
| Category | Works |
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| TV Series Created | Family Guy (1999-present), American Dad! (2005-present), The Cleveland Show (2009-2013), The Orville (2017-2022) |
| Films Directed | Ted (2012), A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014), Ted 2 (2015) |
| Voice Acting Roles | Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin, Brian Griffin in Family Guy; Stan Smith, Roger in American Dad!; Ted in Ted and Ted 2; Mike in Sing |
| Live-Action Acting | Appearances in Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Tooth Fairy, Movie 43, Logan Lucky, The Loudest Voice |
| Music | Has released six studio albums of traditional pop and jazz standards, earning five Grammy nominations |
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He has won numerous awards for his efforts, including five Primetime Emmys for Family Guy and an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for Ted's "Everybody Needs a Best Friend".1
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With his multifaceted talents and singular creative vision, Seth MacFarlane has established himself as one of the most influential and prolific entertainers of his generation.2
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Seth MacFarlane (Interviews)
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The Versatile Voice of Seth MacFarlane: Memorable Characters Brought to Life
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Seth MacFarlane is renowned for his exceptional voice acting skills, bringing to life a wide array of memorable characters. His versatility and range as a voice actor have been instrumental in the success of his animated series. MacFarlane voices several main characters on Family Guy, including Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin, Brian Griffin, and Glenn Quagmire, showcasing his ability to create distinct, hilarious personalities.
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On American Dad!, MacFarlane voices two of the main characters - Stan Smith and Roger the Alien. His portrayal of Roger, in particular, highlights his comedic genius, as he imbues the character with a myriad of personas and accents.4
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MacFarlane's voice acting mastery allows him to create unique, dynamic characters that are integral to the shows' humor and storylines.
Beyond his own projects, MacFarlane has lent his voice to various other productions, such as the foul-mouthed teddy bear Ted in the self-titled film.1
His vocal talents have earned him critical acclaim, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for his work on Family Guy.4
MacFarlane's exceptional voice acting skills have solidified his reputation as one of the most talented and versatile performers in the industry.5 sources
Closing Thoughts
addicted2success.com
Seth MacFarlane has achieved remarkable box office success with his feature films, cementing his status as a talented film producer and comedy director. His directorial debut Ted, which he also wrote, produced, and starred in, became the highest-grossing original R-rated comedy of all time, earning over $549 million worldwide.
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The film's sequel Ted 2 also performed well, grossing over $215 million globally.5
As a producer, MacFarlane has demonstrated a keen eye for successful projects. In addition to the Ted films, he served as executive producer on the science documentary series Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, which earned critical acclaim and numerous awards.1
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MacFarlane's work as a director and producer in the 21st century has solidified his reputation as one of the most influential and successful comedic voices in Hollywood.
Beyond his film work, MacFarlane continues to make an impact on television. As the co-creator of hit animated series like Family Guy and American Dad!, he has helped shape the landscape of adult animation and pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the medium.2
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His versatility as a performer, whether voicing iconic characters or appearing in live-action roles, has made him a sought-after talent in the industry.1
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Through his multifaceted career, Seth MacFarlane has established himself as a defining comedic force of the 21st century, leaving an indelible mark on film, television, and popular culture as a whole.5 sources
Related
what are some of Seth MacFarlane's most iconic characters
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