Seth MacFarlane is an American actor, animator, writer, producer, director, and singer, widely known as the creative force behind the popular animated sitcoms Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show. With an estimated net worth of $300 million, MacFarlane is considered one of the highest-paid TV producers in history. Let’s look closer at his early life, prolific career, personal relationships, and some little-known facts about this multi-talented entertainer.
Seth MacFarlane Net Worth
According to Forbes and other credible sources, Seth MacFarlane’s astounding net worth is estimated to be around $300 million as of 2023. He owes the bulk of his immense wealth to the success of his hit animated shows Family Guy, American Dad, and The Cleveland Show. He also earns multi-million dollar salaries for his work as a producer, writer, actor, and singer for these shows. Besides TV, MacFarlane has also accumulated wealth from directing and acting in movies like Ted (2012) and its sequel Ted 2 (2015), which together grossed over $750 million at the box office.
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Seth MacFarlane Early Life
Seth Woodbury MacFarlane was born in Kent, Connecticut, on October 26, 1973, to parents Ronald Milton MacFarlane and Ann Perry Sager. He was very interested in illustration and animation from a very young age. He began drawing cartoon characters like Fred Flintstone, Woody Woodpecker, and his family cat as early as 2 years old. By the age of 9, he started making his own animated shorts; by 11, he made his first animated cartoon, The Life of Larry.
Seth MacFarlane Education
Seth MacFarlane received his high school diploma from the Kent School in 1991. He later studied film, video, and animation at the Rhode Island School of Design, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. During his time there, he created a thesis film called The Life of Larry, which would eventually inspire Family Guy.
Seth MacFarlane Career
Seth MacFarlane’s entertainment career started while he was still studying at RISD. In 1995, he made The Life of Larry, an animated short film that featured a middle-aged slob named Larry and his cynical dog Steve. This short grabbed the attention of Hanna-Barbera Studios executives, who then hired MacFarlane to work as a writer and storyboard artist for popular shows like Johnny Bravo (1997), Cow and Chicken (1997), Dexter’s Laboratory (1996), and others.
The big break in MacFarlane’s career came in 1998 when Fox executives saw The Life of Larry and decided to develop it into a fully animated sitcom series called Family Guy. At just 24 years old, MacFarlane became the youngest person ever to run a network show as the creator and executive producer of Family Guy. Premiering after Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999, Family Guy became a massive success and established MacFarlane’s career in Hollywood.
Following this, MacFarlane created American Dad!, which premiered on Fox in 2005. In 2009, his third animated sitcom, The Cleveland Show, aired for 4 seasons. MacFarlane has won numerous awards for his work, including 5 Primetime Emmys and a Grammy. His shows are considered pop culture classics, pushing the boundaries of animated comedies with their tongue-in-cheek humor.
Aside from TV production and voice acting, MacFarlane has also forayed into films. He made his directorial debut in 2012 with the R-rated buddy comedy Ted, starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. Ted was a sleeper hit, earning $549 million globally on a modest $50 million budget. This success led to the 2015 sequel Ted 2, which earned over $215 million.
Seth MacFarlane has also released 5 studio albums as a singer, exploring his love for jazz, pop, and swing music. His 2014 album of pop standards Songs in the Key of Paul was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 57th Grammy Awards.
Seth MacFarlane’s Personal Life
Despite his tremendous success and fortune at a relatively young age, Seth MacFarlane leads a modest private life out of the spotlight. He lives in a $13.5 million Beverly Hills mansion he bought from supermodel Adriana Lima. He also owns a lavish $20 million estate in the celebrity haven of Sunset Strip.
When he’s not working his ass off running some of TV’s most popular shows, Seth enjoys spending time with close friends, going for hikes, reading non-fiction books, cycling around town, golfing on weekends, and collecting fine Kentucky bourbons. He is also an atheist and a staunch supporter of LGBT rights, causes dear to his heart.
Though never married, MacFarlane has been in some notable relationships. He dated Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke from 2012 to 13 after meeting each other on the set of his movie Ted. He then dated singer, songwriter, and fellow potty humor enthusiast Ari Graynor. Most recently, in 2019, he was in a much-publicized relationship with actress Anne Winters, but the two eventually split. MacFarlane is famously private about his romantic life and current relationship status.
Birth Date | October 26, 1973 |
Name | Seth Woodbury MacFarlane |
Profession | Actor, Animator, Writer, Producer, Director, and Singer |
Father | Ronald Milton MacFarlane |
Mother | Ann Perry Sager MacFarlane |
Height | 5′11″ (1.80 m) |
Birthplace | Kent, Connecticut, USA |
Zodiac | Scorpio |
Seth MacFarlane Movies
As an actor and filmmaker, Seth MacFarlane has the following movie credits:
- Ted (2012): Director, Writer, Producer, Voice of Ted
- A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014): Supporting Actor
- Ted 2 (2015): Director, Writer, Producer, Voice of Ted
- Logan Lucky (2017): Supporting Actor
- The Orville (2017 – ): Creator, Producer, Writer, Lead Actor
Little Known Facts About Seth MacFarlane
And finally, here are some fascinating facts about Seth that even his biggest fans may not have known:
- Seth narrowly escaped tragedy on September 11, 2001, when he missed his flight on American Airlines Flight 11, which crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. A hangover from the night before caused him to be late to the airport that day, inadvertently saving his life.
- He is an accomplished pianist and crooner, releasing multiple jazz, swing, and pop albums in the vein of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, his musical idols. His rich baritone singing voice has earned praise from critics.
- An avid science geek and space enthusiast, MacFarlane serves on the advisory board of The Planetary Society, a nonprofit that advocates space research and space technology to advance space science.
- He is a staunch advocate for animal rights, and PETA named him their 2010 Man of the Year. He has donated money to various animal shelters across LA.
- MacFarlane has guest starred on popular shows like Star Trek: Enterprise, The Gilmore Girls, and The War at Home, poking fun at his public persona.
So there you have it, the fascinating story of Seth MacFarlane that you never knew! Despite his tremendous wealth and success, he continues to push the creative envelope across animation, films, music, and beyond. And at just 50 years of age, we can expect a lot more fresh entertainment from this comedy genius in the years ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Seth MacFarlane married?
No, Seth MacFarlane has never been married. Though he has dated high-profile celebrities like Emilia Clarke and Ari Graynor, MacFarlane likes to keep his romantic relationships private. At 50 years old currently, he continues to be one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors.
2. Who is Seth MacFarlane girlfriend?
Seth is quite secretive about his dating life. As of late 2023, he does not have a publicly known girlfriend, though tabloids have speculated link-ups with actresses like Halston Sage. His last confirmed relationship was with Anne Winters, which ended in 2019 after over a year of dating.
3. What are Seth MacFarlane movies and TV shows?
MacFarlane has worked on many hit movies and TV shows as an actor, writer, director and producer. His most popular creations are the animated sitcoms Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show. As an actor, he has appeared in films like Logan Lucky and TV shows like Star Trek: Enterprise. He has also released multiple music albums.
4. What is Seth MacFarlane’s height?
Seth MacFarlane’s height is 5 feet 11 inches or 180 cm tall. His fit physique weighs around 75 kgs or 165 pounds.
5. What is Seth MacFarlane’s age?
As of 2023, Seth MacFarlane is 50 years old. His date of birth is October 26, 1973.
6. Who is Seth MacFarlane’s sister?
Seth has a younger sister named Rachael Ann MacFarlane, a voice actress. She has made special guest appearances in Family Guy and American Dad! providing voices for minor characters.