110 Facts About Seth MacFarlane

1.

Seth Woodbury MacFarlane is an American actor, animator, filmmaker, comedian, and singer.

2.

Seth MacFarlane wrote, directed, and starred in the films Ted, its sequel Ted 2, and A Million Ways to Die in the West.

3.

Seth MacFarlane is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, where he studied animation.

4.

Seth MacFarlane made guest appearances as an actor on television series such as Gilmore Girls, The War at Home, Star Trek: Enterprise, and FlashForward.

5.

Seth MacFarlane won several awards for his work on Family Guy, including five Primetime Emmy Awards and an Annie Award.

6.

Seth MacFarlane has performed as a singer at Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Royal Albert Hall in London.

7.

Seth MacFarlane has released seven studio albums, in the vein of Frank Sinatra, with influences from jazz orchestrations, and Hollywood musicals beginning with Music Is Better Than Words in 2011.

8.

Seth MacFarlane has received five Grammy Award nominations for his work.

9.

Seth MacFarlane has frequently collaborated with artists such as Sara Bareilles, Norah Jones, and Elizabeth Gillies on his albums.

10.

Seth MacFarlane has sung with Gwen Stefani, Meghan Trainor, Ariana Grande, and Barbra Streisand.

11.

Seth MacFarlane hosted the 85th Academy Awards in 2013 and was nominated for Best Original Song for "Everybody Needs a Best Friend" from Ted.

12.

Seth MacFarlane was executive producer of the Neil deGrasse Tyson-hosted Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, an update of the 1980s Cosmos series hosted by Carl Sagan.

13.

Seth MacFarlane's parents, Ronald Milton MacFarlane and Ann Perry, were born in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

14.

Seth MacFarlane's parents met in 1970 when they lived and worked in Boston, Massachusetts, and married later that year.

15.

Seth MacFarlane later worked in the college guidance and admissions offices at the Kent School, a selective college preparatory school, where Ronald was a teacher.

16.

Seth MacFarlane said in an October 2011 interview that as a child he was always "weirdly fascinated by the Communion ceremony".

17.

Seth MacFarlane received his high school diploma in 1991 from the Kent School.

18.

Seth MacFarlane went on to study film, video, and animation at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

19.

At RISD, Seth MacFarlane created a series of independent films, meeting future Family Guy cast member Mike Henry, whose brother Patrick was Seth MacFarlane's classmate.

20.

Seth MacFarlane was recruited during the senior film festival by development executive Ellen Cockrill and President Fred Seibert.

21.

Seth MacFarlane went to work at Hanna-Barbera based on the writing content of The Life of Larry, rather than on his drawing abilities.

22.

Seth MacFarlane was one of only a few people hired by the company solely based on writing talent.

23.

Seth MacFarlane worked as an animator and writer for Cartoon Network's Cartoon Cartoons series.

24.

Seth MacFarlane described the atmosphere at Hanna-Barbera as resembling an "old-fashioned Hollywood structure, where you move from one show to another or you jump from a writing job on one show to a storyboard job on another".

25.

Seth MacFarlane worked on three television series during his tenure at the studio: Dexter's Laboratory, Cow and Chicken, and Johnny Bravo.

26.

Seth MacFarlane found it easier to develop his own style at Johnny Bravo through the show's process of scriptwriting, which Dexter's Laboratory and Cow and Chicken did not use.

27.

Seth MacFarlane did freelance work for Walt Disney Television Animation, writing for Jungle Cubs, and for Nelvana, where he wrote for Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

28.

Seth MacFarlane first pitched Family Guy to Fox during his tenure at Hanna-Barbera.

29.

Two years later, in August 2007, Seth MacFarlane closed a digital content production deal with AdSense.

30.

Seth MacFarlane takes cast members on the road to voice characters in front of live audiences.

31.

On July 22,2007, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Seth MacFarlane announced that he might start work on a feature film, although "nothing's official".

32.

Seth MacFarlane came up with an idea for the story, "something that you could not do on the show, which [to him] is the only reason to do a movie".

33.

Seth MacFarlane later went on to say he imagines the film to be "an old-style musical with dialogue" similar to The Sound of Music, saying that he would "really be trying to capture, musically, that feel".

34.

On October 13,2011, Seth MacFarlane confirmed that a deal for a Family Guy film had been made, and that he would write it with series co-producer Ricky Blitt.

35.

The project was put on hold while Seth MacFarlane worked on Ted 2.

36.

Seth MacFarlane stepped away from the series in 2011 to work on Ted and other projects, and has only been associated with the show as a voice actor since then.

37.

Seth MacFarlane mentioned how these cancellations affected the lineup of writers: "One of the positive aspects of Family Guy constantly being pulled off [the air] is that we were always having to restaff writers".

38.

Seth MacFarlane participated in the strike to support the writers, and Fox aired three Family Guy episodes without his permission.

39.

The purpose of the network relocation was originally to make room for new animated broadcasts, such as Mulaney and another animated series from Seth MacFarlane called Bordertown, on Fox's now-defunct "Animation Domination".

40.

Seth MacFarlane was described as having difficulty understanding the series in its early going; however, he heavily warmed up to the series after its early seasons once he felt the show truly came into its own.

41.

Seth MacFarlane has taken note of the positive reaction to the "Roger" character by fans via his Twitter.

42.

Seth MacFarlane has an exaggeratedly large chin and masculine manner about him.

43.

Seth MacFarlane was rescued by Stan from Area 51; Klaus, the man-in-a-fish-body pet.

44.

Seth MacFarlane provides the voices of Stan and Roger, basing Roger's voice on Paul Lynde.

45.

Seth MacFarlane developed a Family Guy spin-off called The Cleveland Show, which focuses on the character of Cleveland Brown and his family.

46.

Seth MacFarlane did play the character Tim the Bear until season 3 episode 10.

47.

In 2016, Seth MacFarlane began producing the sci-fi comedy-drama series The Orville, in which he stars as Captain Edward "Ed" Mercer.

48.

Seth MacFarlane originally wrote The Orville as a spec script, which was given a 13-episode order by Fox in May 2016, making it the first live-action television series created by Seth MacFarlane.

49.

Seth MacFarlane was the executive producer of a live-action sitcom starring Rob Corddry called The Winner.

50.

Seth MacFarlane co-produced the series with Ann Druyan and Steven Soter.

51.

Seth MacFarlane returned to executive produce and provide voices to its sequel series, Cosmos: Possible Worlds, which aired in 2020.

52.

In 2013 and 2014, Seth MacFarlane produced one season of a live-action sitcom called Dads.

53.

In 2014, Seth MacFarlane executive produced a two-season, 20-episode series called Blunt Talk for Starz.

54.

In 2009, Seth MacFarlane began work on the animated series Bordertown.

55.

Seth MacFarlane often participates as one of the "roasters" in the annual Comedy Central Roasts.

56.

Seth MacFarlane is the only person to serve as roastmaster for more than one Comedy Central roast.

57.

Seth MacFarlane presented the nominees with actress Emma Stone, on January 10,2013.

58.

Seth MacFarlane made his directorial live-action film debut with the release of Ted in 2012.

59.

Seth MacFarlane announced that he was directing it on an episode of Conan that aired on February 10,2011.

60.

Seth MacFarlane co-wrote and starred in his second film, A Million Ways to Die in the West.

61.

On January 27,2014, Seth MacFarlane announced that he wrote a companion novel based on the film's script, which was released on March 4,2014.

62.

Seth MacFarlane wrote the book on weekends during shooting for the film, partially due to boredom.

63.

In 2010, Seth MacFarlane signed a record deal with Universal Republic Records.

64.

Seth MacFarlane released his debut album, Music Is Better Than Words, in 2011.

65.

Seth MacFarlane was featured on Calabria Foti's 2013 single "Let's Fall in Love".

66.

Seth MacFarlane released his fourth studio album, In Full Swing, in 2017, again featuring songs composed by Joel McNeely.

67.

In 2019, for his fifth studio album Once in a While, Seth MacFarlane worked with composer Andrew Cottee.

68.

Seth MacFarlane collaborated with Sara Bareilles on two of his albums, Music Is Better Than Words, and Holiday for Swing singing "Love Won't Let You Get Away" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside" respectively.

69.

Seth MacFarlane sang his Academy Award nominated song "Everybody Needs a Best Friend" from Ted which she performed at the 85th Academy Awards.

70.

Seth MacFarlane sang numerous show tunes with Ariana Grande on an episode of Carpool Karaoke: The Series in 2017.

71.

Seth MacFarlane was executive producer of a 2020 feature film adapting Clive Barker's novel Books of Blood for Hulu, directed by Brannon Braga.

72.

Seth MacFarlane is executive producer and will make small appearances in each episode.

73.

In January 2021, it was announced that Seth MacFarlane had been hired to develop a reboot of The Naked Gun.

74.

Seth MacFarlane expressed excitement for the project and the opportunity to explore a more comedic role, should he decide to star in the movie; while stating that development on the project is ongoing.

75.

Seth MacFarlane has appeared in sitcoms, comedy and news programs, independent films, and other animated shows.

76.

In 2002, Seth MacFarlane appeared in the Gilmore Girls episode "Lorelai's Graduation Day".

77.

Four years later on November 5,2006, Seth 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".

78.

Seth MacFarlane appeared as the engineer Ensign Rivers on Star Trek: Enterprise in the third-season episode "The Forgotten" and the fourth-season episode "Affliction".

79.

Seth MacFarlane has been a frequent guest on the radio talkshow Loveline, hosted by Dr Drew Pinsky.

80.

Seth MacFarlane appeared on the November 11,2006, episode of Fox's comedy show MADtv.

81.

Three months later on March 24,2007, Seth MacFarlane was interviewed on Fox's Talkshow with Spike Feresten, and closed the show by singing the Frank Sinatra song "You Make Me Feel So Young".

82.

Seth MacFarlane provided Stewie's voice when he appeared as a brain tumor-induced hallucination to Seeley Booth in an episode of Bones, writing his own dialogue for the episode.

83.

On May 8,2009, Seth MacFarlane was a guest on Real Time with Bill Maher.

84.

Seth MacFarlane voiced Wayne "The Brain" McClain in an episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

85.

Seth MacFarlane had a guest appearance in the animated film Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder where he sings "That Was Then ", the opening theme.

86.

Seth MacFarlane lent his voice to the series finale movie of the Comedy Central series, Drawn Together.

87.

On September 15,2012, Seth MacFarlane hosted the season premiere of Saturday Night Live, with musical guest Frank Ocean.

88.

Seth MacFarlane collaborated with Matt Groening on an episode of The Simpsons and Futurama.

89.

In 2019, Seth MacFarlane appeared in the Showtime limited series The Loudest Voice.

90.

Seth MacFarlane is a pianist and singer who, in his early years, trained with Lee and Sally Sweetland, the vocal coaches of Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra.

91.

In 2015, Seth MacFarlane again appeared at The Proms as a vocalist with the John Wilson Orchestra, this time in a Sinatra program.

92.

Seth MacFarlane uses musical comedy in his shows and movies.

93.

Seth MacFarlane has said that his comedy influences include Woody Allen, Jackie Gleason, Bill Maher, Mel Brooks, and Monty Python; while his musical influences include Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Vic Damone, Johnny Mercer, Bing Crosby, Bobby Darin, Gordon MacRae, and the Rat Pack.

94.

Seth MacFarlane has donated over US$200,000 to various Democratic congressional committees and to the 2008 presidential campaign of then-US Senator Barack Obama.

95.

Seth MacFarlane has stated that he supports the legalization of cannabis.

96.

In 2015, Seth MacFarlane revealed support for Bernie Sanders in the 2016 US presidential election, and he introduced Sanders onstage at a Los Angeles rally.

97.

In recognition of "his active, passionate commitment to humanist values, and his fearless support of equal marriage rights and other social justice issues", Seth MacFarlane was named the Harvard Humanist of the Year in 2011.

98.

Seth MacFarlane was criticized for his portrayal of transsexuals in the Family Guy episode "Quagmire's Dad".

99.

Seth MacFarlane was invited by Harvard University's class of 2006 to deliver the "class day" address on June 7,2006.

100.

Seth MacFarlane spoke as himself, and as Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin and Glenn Quagmire.

101.

Seth MacFarlane has spoken at George Washington University, Washington University in St Louis, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Missouri, University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, and Loyola Marymount University.

102.

Seth MacFarlane is not married nor does he have any children.

103.

Seth MacFarlane's death was reported by Larry King on his show Larry King Live, who acknowledged a conversation he had with her during an interview with MacFarlane in May 2010.

104.

From 2012 to 2013, Seth MacFarlane was in a relationship with Emilia Clarke.

105.

On July 16,2014, Seth MacFarlane was served with a lawsuit from the production company of a series of Internet videos called Charlie the Abusive Teddy Bear claiming that Ted infringes on the copyright of its videos due to the Ted bear largely matching the background story, persona, voice tone, attitude, and dialogue of the Charlie bear.

106.

Seth MacFarlane has been nominated for twenty-four Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on Family Guy and has won five times, in 2000,2002,2016,2017 and 2019.

107.

Seth MacFarlane has been nominated for five Grammy Awards for his work in Family Guy: Live in Vegas, Music Is Better Than Words, Family Guy, No One Ever Tells You, and In Full Swing.

108.

Seth MacFarlane was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for co-writing the opening song, "Everybody Needs a Best Friend", from his film Ted with the film's composer Walter Murphy.

109.

Seth MacFarlane has received numerous awards from other organizations, including the Annie Award for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production and the Saturn Award for Best Television Presentation for the Family Guy episode titled "Blue Harvest", the MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo and the Empire Award for Best Comedy for Ted.

110.

In 2019, Seth MacFarlane received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6259 Hollywood Blvd.