Seth MacFarlane is an American producer, writer, voice actor, singer, and comedian with an estimated net worth of $300 million. He is best known as the creator of several popular animated TV shows, including “Family Guy,” “American Dad,” “The Cleveland Show,” and the sci-fi series “The Orville.”
Additionally, MacFarlane has made significant money from his film ventures, including the “Ted” movies, which collectively grossed over $700 million globally.
Early Life
Seth MacFarlane was born on October 26, 1973, in Kent, Connecticut. He has a lineage linked to the Mayflower passenger William Brewster. Seth developed an interest in cartoons from an early age and started creating his own comic, “Walter Crouton,” at just 9 years old, which was published in the local newspaper.
After high school, he attended the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he honed his skills in film, video, and animation.
At RISD, he met Mike Henry, a future collaborator, who voiced several characters in Seth’s shows.
Career Breakthroughs
In his senior year at RISD, Seth created an animated short called “The Life of Larry,” which led to a job offer from Hanna-Barbera. After refining the concept, he created “Larry & Steve”, which was eventually pitched to Fox.
Though initially rejected, the success of “King of the Hill” led to Fox giving Seth a chance, and “Family Guy” premiered in 1999.
Despite early struggles, the show gained a massive following through syndication and DVD sales, which led to its revival in 2005 after being canceled.
Syndication Success and Earnings
The success of “Family Guy” was monumental. The show generated over $1 billion in revenue between 2005 and 2008 alone, thanks to syndication, DVD sales, and merchandise.
By 2009, Seth negotiated a groundbreaking 5-year, $100 million deal with Fox to continue his work on his animated series.
He also earned significant royalties from DVD sales and merchandise, which brought in an additional $20 million per year.
Later, in 2020, Seth signed a 5-year, $200 million deal with Universal to continue his creative ventures under his Fuzzy Door Productions.
Other Projects
In addition to “Family Guy,” Seth created “American Dad” (2005), which has become another long-running success, airing over 350 episodes.
He also co-created “The Cleveland Show” (2009-2013) and directed successful films such as “Ted” (2012), which grossed over $500 million, “Ted 2” (2015), and “A Million Ways to Die in the West” (2014). Seth also created “The Orville”, a live-action sci-fi series that premiered in 2016.
Real Estate and Personal Life
Seth MacFarlane enjoys a lavish lifestyle, owning multiple properties. Since 2008, his primary residence has been a $13.5 million mansion in Beverly Hills, and in 2019, he purchased a $15.7 million oceanfront home in Malibu.
He has also made headlines for his generosity, including a $1 million donation to support the film and TV worker strike fund.
Despite his wealth and fame, Seth is known for being a lifelong bachelor. He has been romantically linked to several actresses, including Eliza Dushku and Emilia Clarke, but has not settled down or started a family.
