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
Years active1995 - present

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

MacFarlane vocally performs many cartoon characters. He also made guest appearances on several shows like Gilmore Girls and The War At Home. He occasionally gives speeches at universities and colleges throughout the United States.

Early Life

MacFarlane was born on October 26, 1973, in Kent, Connecticut.[1] Both of his parents, Ann Perry Sager and Ronald Milton MacFarlane, are from Newburyport, Massachusetts and descended from immigrants from Canada, England, Scotland, most notably from Mayflower passenger William Brewster.[2] During his childhood, MacFarlane was interested in illustration. In an interview for USA Today, he revealed that he began drawing Fred Flintstone and Woody the Woodpecker.[3] At eight, he illustrated "Walter Crouton," a comic strip for the The Kent Good Times Dispatch.[4] He received his high school diploma at the Kent School in Connecticut, whose headmaster, Reverend Richardson W. Schell, later publicly rebuked MacFarlane for his "low" brand of humor.[5][6] He went on to study animation at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).[4] As a student MacFarlane wanted to work at Disney. 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."[7] During college, he created his thesis film entitled The Life of Larry.[4] His professor at RISD submitted MacFarlane's cartoon to Hanna Barbera, where MacFarlane was later hired.[7]

Career in animation and television

At Hanna-Barbera, MacFarlane worked as an animator and writer for Cartoon Network's Cartoon Cartoons series.[8] He was also a writer for the animated version of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective[9] and has worked on Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken and Dexter's Laboratory.[10] MacFarlane also created and wrote a short titled "Zoomates" for Frederator Studios' Oh Yeah! Cartoons on Nickelodeon.[11] In 1996, MacFarlane created a sequel to The Life of Larry for Hanna-Barbera Cartoons 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.[12] Fox proposed to MacFarlane to do a fifteen minute short and financed him with $50,000. MacFarlane stated that the plot for Family Guy took six months to create and produce.[13] At twenty-four, MacFarlane was television's youngest executive producer when Family Guy first aired in January 31, 1999.[3][14]

Family Guy

File:Familyguy2.jpg
Seth Green and MacFarlane in Family Guy Live in Los Angeles, California
Main article: Family Guy

Seth MacFarlane voices many of the main characters on the TV show Family Guy, an animated series which follows the life of Peter Griffin and his family. On the show, MacFarlane provides the voices of Peter, the clumsy pater familias of the Griffin family; Brian, an alcoholic dog; Stewie, the megalomaniacal and intelligent infant who wants to kill his mother Lois Griffin; Glenn Quagmire, the hypersexual neighbor; and Tom Tucker, a local news anchor.[13][15] He also voices some non-recurring characters.[15] Seth's sister, Rachael, plays small roles in the show.[16] Some of MacFarlane's favorite episodes to date are "PTV", "Road to Rhode Island", and "Peter's Two Dads".[17]

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.[18][19] MacFarlane describes the show being similar to All in the Family[20] and the show's plot is centered around George W. Bush's conservative policies.[21] The show focuses on Stan Smith, a fanatical conservative and a CIA officer. Stan has a wife (Francine) and two children (Steve and Haley), 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.[22][23] Seth MacFarlane provides the voices of Stan and Roger. MacFarlane bases Roger's voice on Paul Lynde who played Uncle Arthur on Bewitched.[3] His sister Rachael MacFarlane provides her voice for Hayley.[16]stewie is awesome

The Winner

Main article: The Winner

MacFarlane was the executive producer of a live-action sitcom starring Rob Corddry called The Winner.[24] The show premiered on Fox on March 4, 2007.[25] 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.[26] The show was officially canceled on May 16, 2007.[27]

Guest appearances on television

MacFarlane has appeared on sitcoms, comedy and news shows, and other cartoons. In 2002, MacFarlane appeared in the Gilmore Girls's episode "Lorelai's Graduation Day".[28] Four years later on November 5, 2006, MacFarlane guest starred in "I Wash My Hands of You" on Fox's The War at Home as an unnamed person known as "Hillary's Date".[7] He plays a 33-year-old man who secretly dates Hillary, but ends up dumping her when she tells him that she won't have sex with him.[29] MacFarlane has 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".[30]

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 and Meg jumps out the window (with Crista Flanagan, the actress playing Meg, cut and bleeding after her window stunt) in fear and a redubbed 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.[31]

MacFarlane has also appeared on news shows and late night television shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live[32] and The Late Show with David Letterman.[33] 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!"[34] Three months later on March 24, 2007, MacFarlane was interviewed on Fox's Talkshow with Spike Feresten[35], and closed the show by singing the Frank Sinatra song "You Make Me Feel So Young".[36]

MacFarlane has also voiced characters in other cartoon shows. He voiced Wayne "The Main Brain" McClain in an episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force.[37] And, he has also voiced various characters on Adult Swim's Robot Chicken, including a parody of Lion-O and Emperor Palpatine.[38]

Personal life

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

Science fiction and political donations

MacFarlane is a Star Wars, Star Trek, and science fiction fan.[30][39] Musically, MacFarlane is a skilled pianist and singer.[12] At a young age, MacFarlane worked with the same vocal coaches as Frank Sinatra.[12] He has a production company named Fuzzy Door Productions.[40] Politically, MacFarlane has donated $33,500 to Democratic causes such as the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.[40] In addition, he has also donated $1,000 to U.S. Presidential Candidate Barack Obama.[40] MacFarlane is currently participating in the Writers Guild of America strike.[41] Because of the strike, Fox has continued to produce Family Guy and American Dad! without MacFarlane's consent.[42]

Experience with September 11, 2001 attacks

On the morning of the September 11, 2001 attacks, MacFarlane was scheduled to return to Los Angeles on a transfer, American Airlines Flight 11 in 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.).[43] He was also hung over from drinking the previous night.[44] As a result of the combination with both factors, he arrived at 7:30 and found out the gates were closed.[43] At 8:14 a.m., fifteen minutes after the departure of American Airlines Flight 11, the plane was hijacked.[45] The plane was later flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City and crashed on 8:46 a.m.[46]

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.[47]

Speaking engagements

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

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."[48] Invited by Stanford University's ASSU Speakers' Bureau, MacFarlane spoke to a crowd of over 1,000 at Memorial Auditorium on April 16, 2006.[49] 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 Glenn Quagmire.[50] He also gave speeches at George Washington University[48], Washington University in St. Louis[10], and the University of Texas.[51]

MacFarlane received an honorary doctorate of fine arts at his alma mater at the school's commencement on June 2, 2007.[52] On May 26, 2007, MacFarlane appeared at a Star Wars convention to promote his new Family Guy episode "Blue Harvest".[53]

Awards

References

  1. ^ "An Interview with Seth MacFarlane: The creator of Family Guy discusses his career." p. 1. IGN. Published July 21, 2003. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  2. ^ Child, Christopher. Ancestry of Seth MacFarlane. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c Levin, Gary (2005-02-02). "'Dad' joins 'Guy' for yuks". USA Today. Gannett Co. Inc. Retrieved 2007-12-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ a b c "Seth MacFarlane - Profile". E! Online. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  5. ^ Weinraub, Bernard (2005-04-07). "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. Retrieved 2007-12-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ Carter, Bill. Advertisers shunning Family Guy. New York Times. Published July 1, 1999. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  7. ^ a b c "Seth MacFarlane - Biography". Yahoo. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  8. ^ "An Interview with Seth MacFarlane: The creator of Family Guy discusses his career." p. 3. IGN. Published July 21, 2003. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  9. ^ "Seth MacFarlane interview" (audio). Planet Family Guy. 2001-07-01. Retrieved 2007-08-01. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ a b Broom, Caroline. "Creator of Family Guy to speak at Assembly Series". Record. Washington University in St. Louis. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  11. ^ " Answers. Fred Seibert's Blog". Published November 1, 2007. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  12. ^ a b c Bartlett, James. "Seth MacFarlane – he’s the Family Guy". Published on March 12, 2007. Retrieved on December 20, 2007.
  13. ^ a b "DVD Interview: 10 Questions with FAMILY GUY's Seth McFarlane - Part One". ManiaDVD. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
  14. ^ "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 2007-12-22.
  15. ^ a b "Seth MacFarlane: Animator, Producer, Screenwriter, VoiceActor". Variety. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  16. ^ a b "Rachael MacFarlane Biography". FOX. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  17. ^ Topel, Fred. "Seth MacFarlane on Family Guy #100". Crave Online. Published August 25, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  18. ^ "American Dad: Series Overview". MSN. Microsoft. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
  19. ^ Goodman, Tim (2005-02-04). "Fox isn't sly. American Dad is a wannabe". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Newspapers. Retrieved 2007-12-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ Norton, James. "Seth MacFarlane's Third Act". Flak Magazine. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  21. ^ Rogers, Troy. "Seth MacFarlane, American Dad Interview". Underground Online. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  22. ^ Stanley, Alexandria (2005-02-04). "Dad Is a C.I.A. Operative, the Kids Have a Weird Pet". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2007-12-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  23. ^ Goyette, Jay (2005-02-04). "Family Guy's Seth MacFarlane's Speech Rescheduled". The View. University of Vermont. Retrieved 2007-12-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  24. ^ "Jack It" (video). Stuff Online. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  25. ^ Matheson, Whitney. Sample The Winner. USA TODAY Blog. Published February 19, 2007. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ 2007 Canceled Shows: Fox Cancels Plenty of Series". TV Series Finale. Retrieved May 16, 2007.
  28. ^ "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.
  29. ^ "Seth MacFarlane on The War at Home (video). YouTube. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  30. ^ a b "Production Report: Klingon Discrepancy Addressed in 'Affliction'". Star Trek Online. Published December 16, 2004. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  31. ^ Seth MacFarlane on MADtv. (Video) Retrieved December 22, 2007.
  32. ^ ABC.com: Jimmy Kimmel Live Gallery. ABC. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
  33. ^ McIntee, Michael Z. "Monday, March 28, 2005: Show #2339". Late Show with David Letterman. CBS. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
  34. ^ "'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' for Jan. 19". MSNBC. Retrieved 2007-12-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publisheddate= ignored (help)
  35. ^ Grossberg, Josh. "TALKSHOW with Spike Feresten". FOX. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
  36. ^ Seth MacFarlane sings "You Make Me Feel So Young". (Video) FOX. Hosted on AOL. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
  37. ^ Grossberg, Josh. ""'Just Bring 'em In From Space': An Interview With the Creators of Aqua Teen Hunger Force"". Flak Magazine. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
  38. ^ "American Dad and Family Guy Creator Seth MacFarlane Is Animated About Work and Play". The TV Tattler. AOL. 2007-05-11. Retrieved 2007-12-22. p. 2.
  39. ^ Adalian, Josef. "Family Guy meets Star Wars: Toon kicking off season with approved spoof". Variety. Published May 25, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  40. ^ a b c "Seth MacFarlane's Federal Campaign Contribution Report". NEWSMEAT. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  41. ^ "Pencils Down". Writers' Guild of America. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  42. ^ Grossberg, Josh (2007-11-14). "Fox's Family Sans Guy". E! News. E! Online. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
  43. ^ a b "DVD Interview: 10 Questions with FAMILY GUY's Seth McFarlane - Part Two". ManiaDVD. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
  44. ^ "Full Frontal TV" Q&A: Head of the Family". Penthouse Magazine. September 2007.
  45. ^ 9/11 Investigation (PENTTBOM). FBI National Press Release, September 2001. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  46. ^ "Flight Path Study - American Airlines Flight 11" (PDF). National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Retrieved 2007-12-21. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  47. ^ "Interview with Seth MacFarlane". TVShowsonDVD.com. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  48. ^ a b "Seth Macfarlane coming to George Washington Univ.!" Adult Swim. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  49. ^ Fitzgerald, Patrick. "Family Guy Visits Farm" The Stanford Daily. Published April 17, 2006. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  50. ^ 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.
  51. ^ "'Family Guy' creator brings insights to UT". The Daily Texan. Retrieved April 22, 2007.
  52. ^ "The art of graduating goes to a higher plane at RISD ceremony" The Providence Journal. Retrieved June 3, 2007
  53. ^ Larsen, Peter. "'Star Wars' convention to attract thousands". Orange County Register. Published May 24, 2007. Retrieved May 30, 2007.
  54. ^ a b Thomas, McLean (2007-06-01). "Seth MacFarlane: Family Guy, American Dad!". Variety. Retrieved 2007-12-21. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  55. ^ "Annie Award Winners". Annie Awards. Retrieved 2007-12-21.

External links

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