Seth MacFarlane

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Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane at a reception after giving a speech at the Rhode Island School of Design
Born Seth Woodbury MacFarlane
October 26, 1973 (1973-10-26) (age 34)
Kent, Connecticut, United States
Years active 1995 - present

Seth Woodbury MacFarlane (born October 26, 1973) is a two-time Emmy-winning American comedian, animator, screenwriter, producer, actor, voice actor, and composer. MacFarlane is best known as the creator of the popular FOX animated series Family Guy and American Dad!. He was also the executive producer of the short-lived television series The Winner.

MacFarlane performs vocally as many of his cartoon characters, such as Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin, Brian Griffin, and Glen Quagmire on Family Guy as well as Stan Smith and Roger the Alien on American Dad!. As an actor, he makes guest appearances on various shows including Gilmore Girls and The War at Home. A science fiction fan, MacFarlane has appeared in cameos and guest appearances on Star Trek: Enterprise, and spoofs Star Wars and Star Trek in several of his cartoons. Being a popular college speaker, he occasionally speaks at universities and colleges throughout the United States. He supports the Democratic Party[1] and publicly sided with the writers' union in the recent Writers Guild of America strike.

Contents

[edit] Early life

MacFarlane was born on October 26, 1973, in Kent, Connecticut.[2] Both of his parents, Ann Perry Sager and Ronald Milton MacFarlane, are from Newburyport, Massachusetts, and descended from immigrants from England, Scotland, Canada and Wales, most notably from Mayflower passenger William Brewster. [3] During his childhood, MacFarlane was interested in illustration. In an interview for USA Today, he revealed that he began drawing Fred Flintstone and Woody Woodpecker.[4] At eight, he illustrated "Walter Crouton," a comic strip for the The Kent Good Times Dispatch.[5] He received his high school diploma in 1991 from the Kent School in Connecticut, whose headmaster, the Rev. Richardson W. Schell, publicly rebuked MacFarlane for his "low" brand of humor and asked Fox not to air Family Guy.[6] MacFarlane's parents, who both taught at the school, resigned in protest.[7][8][9]

MacFarlane went on to study animation at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).[5] As a student, he wanted to work for Disney. However, he later changed his mind upon graduating from RISD and recalled, "Like a lot of animators, I felt Disney is God. Now, it's become Disney is Satan."[10] During college, he created his thesis film entitled The Life of Larry.[5] His professor at RISD submitted MacFarlane's cartoon to Hanna-Barbera, where MacFarlane was later hired.[10] More than ten years later, MacFarlane would receive an honorary doctorate of fine arts at his alma mater's commencement on June 2, 2007.[11]

[edit] Career in animation and television

At Hanna-Barbera, MacFarlane worked as an animator and writer for Cartoon Network's Cartoon Cartoons series.[12] He also worked on Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, and Dexter's Laboratory.[13] MacFarlane also created and wrote a short titled "Zoomates" for Frederator Studios' Oh Yeah! Cartoons on Nickelodeon.[14] In 1996, MacFarlane created a sequel to The Life of Larry called Larry and Steve, which featured a middle-aged character named Larry and an intellectual dog Steve. The short was broadcast as one of Cartoon Network's World Premiere Toons. Executives at Fox saw both Larry shorts and contracted MacFarlane to create a series based on the characters called Family Guy.[15] At twenty-four, MacFarlane was television's youngest executive producer.[4] Fox proposed to MacFarlane to do a fifteen minute short and financed him with $50,000. MacFarlane stated that the pilot for Family Guy took six months to create and produce.[16] Recalling the experience in an interview with The New York Times, MacFarlane stated, "I spent about six months with no sleep and no life, just drawing like crazy in my kitchen and doing this pilot."[17] Recently, MacFarlane reached a $100 million dollar agreement to keep Family Guy and American Dad with FOX until 2012, making him the world's highest paid television writer.[18]

[edit] Family Guy

Main article: Family Guy

MacFarlane's work in animating Family Guy has been influenced by Jackie Gleason and Woody Allen's work, along with examples from The Simpsons and All in the Family.[19] Family Guy first aired on January 31, 1999.[20] MacFarlane's company is named Fuzzy Door Productions.[15]

MacFarlane participated in the Writers Guild of America strike.[21] During the strike, Fox continued to produce Family Guy and American Dad! without MacFarlane's consent.[22] When hearing rumors of continuing production of Family Guy, MacFarlane stated that "it would just be a colossal dick move if they did that."[23]

[edit] American Dad!

Main article: American Dad!

Seth co-created "American Dad", with Matt Weitzman and Mike Barker. American Dad! was first shown after Super Bowl XXXIX as a sneak preview on February 6, 2005, and began airing regularly on Fox on May 1, 2005.[24][25] MacFarlane describes the show being similar to All in the Family[26], and the show's plot is centered around George W. Bush's conservative policies.[27] American Dad! focuses on Stan Smith, a fanatical conservative and a CIA officer. Stan has a wife (Francine) and two children (Steve and Hayley), along with two unusual house guests: Roger, the extraterrestrial alien whom Stan rescued from Area 51, and Klaus the goldfish who hosts the transplanted brain of an East German 1986 Olympic skier.[28][29] Seth MacFarlane provides the voices of Stan and Roger. MacFarlane bases Roger's voice on Paul Lynde who played Uncle Arthur on Bewitched.[4] His sister Rachael MacFarlane provides her voice for Hayley.[30]

[edit] The Winner

Main article: The Winner

MacFarlane was the executive producer of a live-action sitcom starring Rob Corddry called The Winner.[31] The show premiered on Fox on March 4, 2007.[32] The plot has a man named Glen discussing the time he matured at thirty-two and has him pursuing his only love, after she moves in next door. Glen meets her son and both become good friends.[33] The show was officially canceled on May 16, 2007.[34]

[edit] The Cleveland Show

Main article: The Cleveland Show

MacFarlane is currently developing a Family Guy spin-off called The Cleveland Show, which focuses on the character of Cleveland Brown and his family. The idea for the show originated from a suggestion by Family Guy writer and voice of Cleveland, Mike Henry. FOX has ordered 13 episodes and the series is expected to be announced as a part of the 2008-2009 FOX lineup.[35]

[edit] Guest appearances

Seth has appeared on sitcoms, comedy and news shows, independent films, and other cartoons. Most recently, he hosted the Canadian Awards for the Electronic & Animated Arts's Second Annual Elan Awards on February 15, 2008.[36] In 2002, MacFarlane appeared in the Gilmore Girls's episode "Lorelai's Graduation Day".[37] Four years later on November 5, 2006, MacFarlane guest starred on Fox's The War at Home as "Hillary's Date", an unnamed 33-year-old man who secretly dates teenaged Hillary in the episode "I Wash My Hands of You".[10][38] MacFarlane has also appeared as the engineer Ensign Rivers on the show Star Trek: Enterprise in the third season episode "The Forgotten" and the fourth season episode "Affliction".[39]

In Fox's comedy show MADtv on November 11, 2006, MacFarlane appeared and showed a live action re-enactment of a scene from the Family Guy episode "Fast Times at Buddy Cianci, Jr. High". In the scene, Peter and Lois suspect Chris of murdering his teacher's husband. As a reaction, Meg jumps out the window in fear. The actress playing Meg was cut and bled after her window stunt. A version with Seth as Peter, Kathy Griffin (Nicole Parker) as Lois, Dane Cook (Ike Barinholtz) as Chris, Queen Latifah (Nicole Randall Johnson) as Meg, and Snoop Dogg (Keegan-Michael Key) as Stewie was recorded over the original cartoon.[40]

MacFarlane has also appeared on news shows and late night television shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live[41] and The Late Show with David Letterman.[42] On January 19, 2007, MacFarlane appeared on Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC to discuss Stephen Colbert's appearance on The O'Reilly Factor and Bill O'Reilly's return appearance on The Colbert Report. MacFarlane introduced the segment by saying in Stewie's voice "Oh, wait Bill. Hold still, allow me to soil myself on you. Victory is mine!"[43] Three months later on March 24, 2007, MacFarlane was interviewed on Fox's Talkshow with Spike Feresten,[44] and closed the show by singing the Frank Sinatra song "You Make Me Feel So Young".[45]

During 2006, Seth had a role in the short independent film Life is Short. His character is Dr. Ned, a psychologist who advises a short man (played by Freaks and Geeks star Samm Levine) to have relationships with taller women.[46] MacFarlane has also voiced characters in other cartoon shows. He voiced Wayne "The Main Brain" McClain in an episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force.[47] He has also voiced various characters on Adult Swim's Robot Chicken, including a parody of Lion-O and Emperor Palpatine. Recently, Macfarlane lended his voice to Bob Boyle's animated kids series Yin Yang Yo by playing the villain "The Manotaur." [48]

[edit] Personal life

Seth MacFarlane speaks at a Writers Guild of America rally in Culver City on November 9, 2007.
Seth MacFarlane speaks at a Writers Guild of America rally in Culver City on November 9, 2007.

MacFarlane is an avid Star Wars, Star Trek, and science fiction fan.[39][49] For example, MacFarlane appeared at a Star Wars convention to promote his new Family Guy episode "Blue Harvest" on May 26, 2007.[50] Musically, he is a skilled pianist and singer who, at a young age, worked with the same vocal coaches as Frank Sinatra.[15] He also watches The Sopranos and Real Time with Bill Maher.[19]

Unmarried,[51] MacFarlane is currently dating Eliza Dushku.[52] He is also an atheist.[53] In 2004, in an interview with The Daily Princetonian, MacFarlane noted his similarities to Brian on Family Guy, revealing, "I have some Brian type issues from time to time — looking for the right person — but I date as much as the next guy."[51]

[edit] Political beliefs

Politically, MacFarlane is a devoted Democrat.[1] He has donated $33,500 to Democratic causes such as the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.[54] In addition, he has also donated $1,000 to U.S. Presidential Candidate Barack Obama.[54] MacFarlane is a supporter of gay rights[1] and gay marriage.[1] He said his views were influenced by his gay cousin.[1] A family member had mentioned that "Maybe there is a way he can be cured". MacFarlane said it was "Fucking horrifying to hear [that] from someone [he] love[s]".[1]

[edit] Experience with September 11, 2001 attacks

On the morning of the September 11, 2001 attacks, MacFarlane was scheduled to return to Los Angeles on American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston, Massachusetts, after being a keynote speaker at his alma mater. According to MacFarlane, his travel agent recorded the wrong time that the plane would depart (8:15 a.m. instead of 7:45 a.m.).[55] He was also hung over from drinking the previous night.[56] As a result of the combination with both factors, he arrived at 7:30 and found out the gates were closed.[55] At 8:14 a.m., fifteen minutes after the departure of American Airlines Flight 11, the plane was hijacked.[57] The plane was later flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City and crashed at 8:46 a.m., with no survivors.[58]

In an interview with TVShowsOnDVD.com, MacFarlane said the following about his close call:

The only reason it hasn’t really affected me as it maybe could have is I didn’t really know that I was in any danger until after it was over, so I never had that panic moment. After the fact, it was sobering, but people have a lot of close calls; you’re crossing the street and you almost get hit by a car… this one just happened to be related to something massive. I really can’t let it affect me because I’m a comedy writer. I have to put that in the back of my head.[59]

[edit] Speaking engagements

Seth MacFarlane signs autographs at the Star Wars Convention in Los Angeles on May 26, 2007.
Seth MacFarlane signs autographs at the Star Wars Convention in Los Angeles on May 26, 2007.

MacFarlane is a popular guest to college campuses. His agent David Buchalter reveals that "[the speeches] are a great opportunity for him to reach out and stay connected with his audience."[60] Invited by Stanford University's ASSU Speakers' Bureau, MacFarlane spoke to a crowd of over 1,000 at Memorial Auditorium on April 16, 2006.[61] MacFarlane was invited by Harvard University's class of 2006 to deliver the "class day" address on June 7, 2006. He spoke as himself, as Peter Griffin, as Stewie Griffin, and as Glen Quagmire.[62] He also gave speeches at George Washington University,[60] Washington University in St. Louis,[13] the University of Texas,[63] and the University of Missouri.[64]

[edit] Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result
2007 1st Annual Wave Awards, Academy of Wireless Arts, Video and Entertainment 2007 Favorite Clipped (from television) Comedy Series, Family Guy Won[65]
2006 Annie Award winner for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production. Stewie Griffin, "Brian the Bachelor" episode. Family Guy. Won[66]
2002 Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Music and Lyrics. Family Guy Won[67]
2000 Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Voice-over Performance. Stewie Griffin, Family Guy. Won[67]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Brandon, Voss. "Big Gay Following Seth MacFarlane" (Magazine), The Advocate: Michael Phelps, February 26, 2008, pp. 22-23. Retrieved on 2008-02-15. 
  2. ^ "An Interview with Seth MacFarlane: The creator of Family Guy discusses his career." p. 1. IGN. Published July 21, 2003. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  3. ^ Child, Christopher. Ancestry of Seth MacFarlane. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  4. ^ a b c Levin, Gary. "'Dad' joins 'Guy' for yuks", USA Today, Gannett Co. Inc., 2005-02-02. Retrieved on 2007-12-21. 
  5. ^ a b c "Seth MacFarlane - Profile". E! Online. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  6. ^ Weinraub, Bernard. "The Young Guy Of Family Guy; A 30-Year-Old's Cartoon Hit Makes An Unexpected Comeback", The New York Times, The New York Times Company, 2005-04-07. Retrieved on 2007-12-22. 
  7. ^ Weinraub, Bernard. "The Young Guy Of Family Guy; A 30-Year-Old's Cartoon Hit Makes An Unexpected Comeback", The New York Times, The New York Times Company, 2005-04-07. Retrieved on 2007-12-22. 
  8. ^ Carter, Bill. Advertisers shunning Family Guy. New York Times. Published July 1, 1999. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  9. ^ via Associated Press. "One-man campaign out for `Family Guy'", Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 2, 1999. Accessed February 13, 2008. "Seth MacFarlane has been out of prep school for eight years, but the headmaster is still on his case. The top administrator of the Kent School is leading a one-man campaign to get advertisers to drop The Family Guy, an animated TV comedy created by MacFarlane, a 1991 Kent alumnus."
  10. ^ a b c "Seth MacFarlane - Biography". Yahoo. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  11. ^ "The art of graduating goes to a higher plane at RISD ceremony" The Providence Journal. Retrieved June 3, 2007
  12. ^ "An Interview with Seth MacFarlane: The creator of Family Guy discusses his career." p. 3. IGN. Published July 21, 2003. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  13. ^ a b Broom, Caroline. "Creator of Family Guy to speak at Assembly Series". Record. Washington University in St. Louis. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  14. ^ " Answers. Fred Seibert's Blog". Published November 1, 2007. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  15. ^ a b c Bartlett, James (2007-03-12). Seth MacFarlane – he’s the “Family Guy”. greatreporter.com. Presswire Limited. Retrieved on 2007-12-31. “... his company, Fuzzy Door Productions ...”
  16. ^ DVD Interview: 10 Questions with FAMILY GUY's Seth McFarlane - Part One. ManiaDVD. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
  17. ^ Weinraub, Bernard. "The Young Guy Of 'Family Guy'; A 30-Year-Old's Cartoon Hit Makes An Unexpected Comeback", 'The New York Times', The New York Times Company, 2007-07-07, pp. 2. Retrieved on 2008-01-06. 
  18. ^ Family Guy Creator Signs Lucrative Deal with FOX. BuddyTV. May 7, 2008. Retrieved on May 14, 2008.
  19. ^ a b McLean, Thomas. "Seth MacFarlane: Family Guy, American Dad!", Variety, Reed Business, 2007-06-01. Retrieved on 2008-01-05. 
  20. ^ Dialogue: Seth MacFarlane. The show's creator discusses why he's not worried about offending anyone.. The Hollywood Reporter.. Nielsen Business Media (2007-10-29). Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
  21. ^ "Pencils Down". Writers' Guild of America. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  22. ^ Grossberg, Josh (2007-11-14). Fox's Family Sans Guy. E! News. E! Online. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
  23. ^ Adalian, Josef (2007-11-13). Fox to air new 'Guy' Sunday. 'Variety'. Reed Elsevier, Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-12-30.
  24. ^ American Dad: Series Overview. MSN. Microsoft. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
  25. ^ Goodman, Tim. "Fox isn't sly. American Dad is a wannabe.", San Francisco Chronicle, Hearst Newspapers, 2005-02-04. Retrieved on 2007-12-22. 
  26. ^ Norton, James. "Seth MacFarlane's Third Act". Flak Magazine. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  27. ^ Rogers, Troy. "Seth MacFarlane, American Dad Interview". Underground Online. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  28. ^ Stanley, Alexandria. "Dad Is a C.I.A. Operative, the Kids Have a Weird Pet", The New York Times, The New York Times Company, 2005-02-04. Retrieved on 2007-12-22. 
  29. ^ Goyette, Jay. "Family Guy's Seth MacFarlane's Speech Rescheduled", The View, University of Vermont, 2005-02-04. Retrieved on 2007-12-22. 
  30. ^ "Rachael MacFarlane Biography". FOX. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  31. ^ "Jack It" (video). Stuff Online. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  32. ^ Matheson, Whitney. Sample The Winner. USA TODAY Blog. Published February 19, 2007. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  33. ^ Hooper, Barrett. "Winner’s one big loser: Not all ex-Daily Show correspondents make great sitcom stars". Now Toronto. Published March 8, 2007. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  34. ^ 2007 Canceled Shows: Fox Cancels Plenty of Series". TV Series Finale. Retrieved May 16, 2007.
  35. ^ Eric Goldman (2008-05-05). Big New Deal for Family Guy's Seth MacFarlane. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
  36. ^ "Seth MacFarlane Joins CAEAA Family to Host 2nd Annual Elan Awards", Market for Home Computing and Video Games, Intent Media, 2008-01-07. Retrieved on 2008-01-13. 
  37. ^ "Family Guy Seth MacFarlane to speak at Class Day: Creator and executive producer of 'Family Guy' will headline undergraduate celebration. Harvard Gazette. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  38. ^ The War at Home - "I Wash My Hands of You" Synopsis. Variety. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
  39. ^ a b "Production Report: Klingon Discrepancy Addressed in 'Affliction'". Star Trek Online. Published December 16, 2004. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  40. ^ "MAD TV Gets More Animated on FOX". AWN Headline News. Published on November 2, 2006. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
  41. ^ ABC.com: Jimmy Kimmel Live Gallery. ABC. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
  42. ^ McIntee, Michael Z. Monday, March 28, 2005: Show #2339. 'Late Show with David Letterman'. CBS. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
  43. ^ 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' for Jan. 19. MSNBC. Retrieved on 2007-12-20.
  44. ^ Grossberg, Josh. TALKSHOW with Spike Feresten. FOX. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
  45. ^ Seth MacFarlane sings "You Make Me Feel So Young". (Video) FOX. Hosted on AOL. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
  46. ^ Finley, Adam. "Seth MacFarlane and Samm Levine in new short film - VIDEO", TV Squad, Webblogs (in partnership with AOL), 2007-06-30. Retrieved on 2008-01-05. 
  47. ^ Grossberg, Josh. "'Just Bring 'em In From Space': An Interview With the Creators of Aqua Teen Hunger Force". 'Flak Magazine'. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.
  48. ^ American Dad and Family Guy Creator Seth MacFarlane Is Animated About Work and Play. The TV Tattler. AOL (2007-05-11). Retrieved on 2007-12-22. p. 2.
  49. ^ Adalian, Josef. "Family Guy meets Star Wars: Toon kicking off season with approved spoof". Variety. Published May 25, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  50. ^ Larsen, Peter. "'Star Wars' convention to attract thousands". Orange County Register. Published May 24, 2007. Retrieved May 30, 2007.
  51. ^ a b Rusli, Evelyn. "'Family Guy': Today Princeton, tomorrow the world", 'The Daily Princetonian', Princeton University. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.  Published February 5, 2004.
  52. ^ Lasky, David. "Eliza Dushku's Family Guy", OK! Magazine, 2008-03-10. Retrieved on 2008-03-11. 
  53. ^ Voss, Brandon. "Big Gay Following: Seth MacFarlane", The Advocate, Planet Out, Incorporated, 2008-02-28. Retrieved on 2008-02-03. 
  54. ^ a b Seth MacFarlane's Federal Campaign Contribution Report. NEWSMEAT. Retrieved on 2007-08-31.
  55. ^ a b DVD Interview: 10 Questions with FAMILY GUY's Seth McFarlane - Part Two. ManiaDVD. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
  56. ^ "Full Frontal TV" Q&A: Head of the Family". Penthouse Magazine. September 2007.
  57. ^ 9/11 Investigation (PENTTBOM). FBI National Press Release, September 2001. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  58. ^ Flight Path Study - American Airlines Flight 11 (PDF). National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
  59. ^ Interview with Seth MacFarlane. TVShowsonDVD.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-01.
  60. ^ a b "Seth MacFarlane coming to George Washington Univ.!" Adult Swim. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  61. ^ Fitzgerald, Patrick. "Family Guy Visits Farm" The Stanford Daily. Published April 17, 2006. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  62. ^ Powell, Alvin. "Class Day offers laughs, wisdom, weather: MacFarlane bids Class of '06 a 'Family Guy' farewell". The Harvard University Gazette. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  63. ^ "'Family Guy' creator brings insights to UT". The Daily Texan. Retrieved April 22, 2007.
  64. ^ Levy, Stephanie (2007-08-21). DSA lines up fall entertainment. The Maneater. Retrieved on 2008-01-29. “MacFarlane and [Henry] Rollins were chosen because of their popularity with students and prevalence in pop culture.”
  65. ^ 1st Annual Wave Awards Winners Revealed By Academy Of Wireless Arts, Video And Entertainment. Academy of Wireless Arts, Video and Entertainment. Retrieved January 8, 2008.
  66. ^ Annie Award Winners. Annie Awards. Archived from the original on 2007-07-10. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
  67. ^ a b McLean, Thomas (2007-06-01). Seth MacFarlane: Family Guy, American Dad!. Variety. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.

[edit] External links

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Persondata
NAME MacFarlane, Seth
ALTERNATIVE NAMES MacFarlane, Seth Woodbury
SHORT DESCRIPTION Television producer
DATE OF BIRTH 1973-10-26
PLACE OF BIRTH Kent, Connecticut, United States
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
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