Seth MacFarlane is an accomplished American actor, animator, writer, producer, director, comedian and singer, best known for creating the TV series Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show.
He began his career as an animator and writer for Hanna-Barbera, working on shows like Johnny Bravo and Cow and Chicken.
MacFarlane’s work is characterized by his unique humor, deep cultural references and often risky political and social satire.
In addition to his work in television, he has also made a significant impact in film, making his directorial debut with Ted in 2012, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
MacFarlane also wrote, produced and starred in A Million Ways to Die in the West and hosted the 85th Academy Awards in 2013.
| Net worth | $300 million |
| Profession | Animator, actor |
| Date of birth | October 26, 1973 |
| Nationality | American |
Background
MacFarlane was born on October 26, 1973, in Kent, Connecticut, to Ronald Milton MacFarlane, a prep school teacher and Ann Perry Sager, an admissions office worker.
He has a sister, Rachael MacFarlane, who is a voice actress and singer.
MacFarlane’s parents were both born in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
His work is known for his unique humor, deep cultural references, and often risky political and social satire.
MacFarlane is of English, Scottish and Irish ancestry and descends from Mayflower passengers.
Net worth
MacFarlane’s net worth is estimated to be around $300 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
He has amassed his fortune through his work in television and film, including creating and producing hit shows like Family Guy, American Dad and The Cleveland Show, as well as writing, directing and producing films such as Ted and A Million Ways to Die in the West.
MacFarlane has also earned significant income from syndication, DVD and merchandise sales of his shows.
In addition to his entertainment career, he is also known for his philanthropy, having donated $5 million to The Entertainment Community Fund to support industry workers affected by the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.
Career earnings
As a talented voice actor, MacFarlane voiced multiple characters on Family Guy, earning a salary of $20 million per year to run the show, as he voiced three characters, including the main character Peter Griffin, the dog Brian and son Stewie.
Additionally, MacFarlane’s lead cast on Family Guy made $175,000 to $225,000 per episode for one character.
His success extends beyond voice acting, as he has also written, directed, and starred in various films like Ted, Ted 2 and A Million Ways to Die in the West, further contributing to his significant earnings.
Real estate
MacFarlane’s real estate properties include a Beverly Hills mansion and a $16 million oceanfront Malibu beach house, which he purchased from the estate of Michael Landon.
Animation career
MacFarlane’s animation career began at Hanna-Barbera, where he worked as an animator and writer on various TV series.
His student film, The Life of Larry, caught the attention of executives at Hanna-Barbera, leading to his employment there.
MacFarlane’s work at Hanna-Barbera included working on shows like Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken and Dexter’s Laboratory.
These experiences provided him with valuable opportunities to hone his skills and develop his unique animation style.
MacFarlane’s talent and passion for animation eventually led him to create the animated sitcom Family Guy, which premiered in 1999 and marked the beginning of his successful career in prime-time animation.
Family Guy quickly became a hit, and MacFarlane went on to create other successful animated series, including American Dad! and The Cleveland Show.
Acting career
MacFarlane’s is known for providing voices for many characters in his animated series like Family Guy and American Dad!
Additionally, MacFarlane has appeared in various films, including Ted, Ted 2, A Million Ways to Die in the West, Sing and Logan Lucky.
He has also made guest appearances on TV shows like Gilmore Girls, Star Trek: Enterprise, The War at Home and FlashForward.
MacFarlane’s versatility as an actor, voice actor and comedian has earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards for his performances across different mediums.
Creating Family Guy
MacFarlane created the animated sitcom Family Guy, which premiered in 1999 and became a massive hit.
His work at Hanna-Barbera, where he worked as an animator and writer, provided him with valuable opportunities to hone his skills and develop his unique animation style.
MacFarlane’s passion for prime-time animation led him to pitch Family Guy to Fox during his tenure at Hanna-Barbera.
After the success of King of the Hill in 1997, he called Kolins once more to ask about a possible second pitch for the series.
Fox offered him a budget of $50,000 to produce a pilot that could lead to a series, which he used to create a “very, very simply, crudely animated film” to present to the executives.
They loved the pilot and immediately ordered the series.
Family Guy was originally intended to be a series of shorts on MADtv, but negotiations for the show’s MADtv connection fell through early on.
At age 24, MacFarlane was television’s youngest executive producer.
The show has since become a cultural phenomenon, spawning a spin-off called The Cleveland Show and earning MacFarlane numerous awards, including five Primetime Emmy Awards and a Webby Award for Film & Video Person of the Year in 2009.
Syndication revenue
Family Guy’s syndication deals, DVD sales and merchandise have earned MacFarlane a substantial income.
Between 2005 and 2008 alone, the show generated over $1 billion in revenue, with $400 million from syndication deals, $400 million from DVD sales and $200 million from merchandise sales.
In 2009, MacFarlane negotiated a $100 million deal with Fox to continue overseeing his animation empire.
As of 2024, a single syndicated episode sells for $2 million, and a 30-second commercial on new airings sells for $200,000.
The show generates $500 million a year in ad revenue, and more than 500 Family Guy-related toys and items have been licensed to major retailers, generating $100 million a year in revenue.
MacFarlane’s earnings from the show between 2005 and 2008 were $2 million per year for his show-running duties, with additional income from DVD and merchandise rights estimated to be upwards of $20 million annually.
Philanthropic efforts
MacFarlane is known for his charitable efforts, particularly in the areas of science, oceans, and supporting industry workers during strikes.
He created The Seth MacFarlane Foundation in 2009 to focus his charitable efforts and has supported various charities, including Oceana, Chrysalis and A Place Called Home.
MacFarlane has been an advocate for science and has funded the Seth MacFarlane Collection of the Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan Archive at the Library of Congress.
He has also donated to the Entertainment Community Fund to assist industry workers impacted by the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, providing emergency financial assistance to cover basic living expenses and mental health support.
In addition to his support for charities, MacFarlane has also been a major political donor, contributing over $4.6 million to Democratic groups and candidates since 2005.
He has supported candidates such as Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, and has donated to political action committees supporting Democratic causes.
Personal life
MacFarlane has had a notable dating history, with several high-profile relationships and encounters throughout his career.
He has been linked to actresses such as Alexandra Breckenridge, Ashley Greene and Tamera Mowry-Housley, as well as Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke.
MacFarlane’s relationship with Clarke lasted from 2012 to 2013, with Clarke opening up about the cons of dating a celebrity in an interview with Glamour.
He has also been rumored to have dated other actresses, including Amanda Bynes and Nicole Sullivan.
MacFarlane’s dating history has been a topic of interest, with many media outlets reporting on his relationships and encounters.
However, he has not publicly confirmed many of these relationships, leaving much of his dating history a mystery to the public.
