Seth MacFarlane Net Worth

What is Seth MacFarlane's net worth and salary?

Seth MacFarlane is an American producer, writer, voice actor, singer, and comedian who has a net worth of $400 million. Seth MacFarlane first rose to prominence in 1999 with the debut of "Family Guy," a subversive animated sitcom featuring the Griffin family, which became both a ratings juggernaut and a cultural phenomenon despite being canceled and revived multiple times. MacFarlane not only created the show but also voiced several of its main characters, including Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin, and Brian the dog. The success of "Family Guy" solidified him as a powerhouse in television comedy.

Following "Family Guy," MacFarlane expanded his animated empire with "American Dad!" in 2005 and "The Cleveland Show" in 2009, both of which further cemented his reputation as a master of irreverent, boundary-pushing humor. His television work has earned him multiple Emmy Awards and a reputation for pushing network animation into edgier, more satirical territory. Beyond TV, MacFarlane ventured into film with "Ted" (2012), a live-action comedy about a foul-mouthed teddy bear voiced by MacFarlane himself. The movie was a massive box office success, grossing over $500 million worldwide, and spawned the sequel "Ted 2" in 2015. He also wrote and directed the western comedy "A Million Ways to Die in the West" (2014), in which he starred.

MacFarlane has also showcased his love for classic music and crooning, releasing several albums of big band and jazz standards that highlight his Sinatra-inspired singing voice. In 2017, he created and starred in "The Orville," a sci-fi dramedy series inspired by "Star Trek," which earned praise for its mix of comedy, social commentary, and heartfelt storytelling. Known for his versatility across genres, MacFarlane has built a multifaceted career spanning television, film, music, and voice acting, establishing himself as one of the most influential and prolific entertainers of his generation.

Early Life

Seth Woodbury MacFarlane was born on October 26, 1973, in Kent, Connecticut. His father, Ronald, was a teacher, and his mother, Ann, worked in admissions. Through his father's family, he is a distant descendant of Mayflower passenger William Brewster.

From an early age, MacFarlane was drawn to animation and comedy. Inspired by classic cartoons like Woody Woodpecker and "The Flintstones," he declared at the age of five that he wanted to be an animator. By age nine, he was publishing a weekly comic strip called "Walter Crouton" in the local Kent Good Times Dispatch, earning $5 per strip. As a teenager, he experimented with short films using his parents' 8mm camera, laying the groundwork for a lifelong career in entertainment.

RISD

MacFarlane attended the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he studied film, video, and animation. At RISD, he created his thesis film, "The Life of Larry," which featured an oafish middle-aged man and his talking dog. That concept would eventually evolve into "Family Guy."

During his time at RISD, MacFarlane befriended Patrick Henry, who introduced him to his brother Mike Henry. Mike went on to become one of MacFarlane's closest collaborators, voicing characters such as Cleveland Brown, Herbert, and Consuela. Together, they later co-created "The Cleveland Show," which ran from 2009 to 2013.

Hanna-Barbera

MacFarlane's student film "The Life of Larry" caught the attention of executives at Hanna-Barbera, who offered him a job right out of college. At Hanna-Barbera, he worked as a writer and storyboard artist on shows like "Johnny Bravo," "Dexter's Laboratory," and "Cow and Chicken." In 1996, he created an updated short called "Larry & Steve," about a dim-witted man and his smarter, talking dog. The short aired on Cartoon Network and gave MacFarlane the chance to pitch his own prime-time animated series.

(Krista Kennell/AFP/Getty Images)

Family Guy

After seeing "Larry & Steve," Fox executives invited MacFarlane to pitch a show. Initially turned down, he returned in the late 1990s when Fox was looking for animated programming after the success of "King of the Hill." Fox ordered a pilot, giving MacFarlane just $50,000 to produce it—far below the usual million-dollar budgets for prime-time cartoons.

The pilot impressed executives, and "Family Guy" debuted on January 31, 1999, airing after the Super Bowl to an audience of 22 million. The show developed a loyal following but suffered from erratic scheduling and ratings struggles. Fox canceled it twice, once in 2000 and again in 2002.

However, reruns on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim turned "Family Guy" into a cult hit. The DVD releases of the first three seasons sold millions of copies, becoming some of the best-selling TV DVDs of all time. The overwhelming fan demand convinced Fox to revive the series in 2005. Since then, "Family Guy" has aired hundreds of episodes across more than 20 seasons, generating billions in revenue from syndication, advertising, DVDs, streaming, and merchandising.

Syndication Revenue

As Seth MacFarlane, Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Matt Groening prove, there is A TON of money in the animation business.

"Family Guy" has become one of the most profitable television shows in history. Between 2005 and 2008, the franchise generated over $1 billion—$400 million from syndication, $400 million from DVD sales, and $200 million from merchandising. Today, a single syndicated episode sells for $2 million, while 30-second commercial spots on new episodes fetch around $200,000. The show is estimated to generate more than $500 million annually in ad revenue alone.

Beyond broadcast income, "Family Guy" has spawned a massive merchandise empire with more than 500 licensed products. Retailers like Wal-Mart and Target have stocked toys, apparel, and collectibles that bring in around $100 million in annual sales.

Seth MacFarlane's Earnings

From 2005 to 2008, Fox paid MacFarlane $2 million per year for his show-running duties. In 2009, he negotiated a landmark five-year, $100 million deal, the largest television contract at the time. This did not include his cut of DVD sales, merchandise, or syndication revenue, which added tens of millions more to his income annually.

In 2020, MacFarlane signed a five-year, $200 million deal with NBCUniversal to develop new content under his production company, Fuzzy Door Productions. The deal marked his departure from Fox after two decades and signaled his continuing influence as a top-tier television creator.

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Other Shows and Films

MacFarlane's success extends far beyond "Family Guy."

• "American Dad!" (2005–present): Co-created with Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman, the series follows the eccentric Smith family. It has aired more than 350 episodes across 20+ seasons.
• "The Cleveland Show" (2009–2013): A spin-off of "Family Guy" centered on Cleveland Brown. It ran for four seasons and 88 episodes.
• "The Orville" (2017– ): A live-action sci-fi dramedy inspired by "Star Trek," praised for balancing humor, satire, and heartfelt storytelling.
• "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" (2014) and "Cosmos: Possible Worlds" (2020): MacFarlane executive produced these acclaimed science docuseries hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, helping revive Carl Sagan's legacy.
• "Ted" (2012): A live-action comedy about a foul-mouthed teddy bear voiced by MacFarlane. It grossed over $500 million worldwide.
• "Ted 2" (2015): The sequel grossed just under $200 million.
• "A Million Ways to Die in the West" (2014): A comedic western starring MacFarlane alongside Charlize Theron and Liam Neeson, earning $80 million worldwide.

Other acting and voice roles: He voiced Johann Krauss in "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" (2008), Mike the mouse in "Sing" (2016), and appeared in films like "Logan Lucky" (2017).

Music Career

MacFarlane is also an accomplished singer and recording artist. He has released multiple albums of big band and jazz standards, often working with world-class orchestras. His albums include "Music Is Better Than Words," "Holiday for Swing," "No One Ever Tells You," and "In Full Swing," all of which received Grammy nominations. His Sinatra-inspired vocals have earned him comparisons to classic crooners, and he regularly performs live with big bands.

He even received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for "Everybody Needs a Best Friend" from "Ted."

Awards and Recognition

Over his career, MacFarlane has earned five Primetime Emmy Awards and more than 20 nominations. His work in music has garnered several Grammy nominations, and his film work has been recognized with an Academy Award nomination. In 2019, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to television.

Philanthropy and Activism

MacFarlane has donated millions to charitable and educational causes. He is a strong supporter of public broadcasting and science education, pledging $1 million to NPR and funding various initiatives in environmental protection and COVID-19 relief. He has also been outspoken on social and political issues, using his platform to advocate for progressive causes.

Real Estate

MacFarlane owns several high-end properties in Southern California. His primary residence since 2008 has been a Beverly Hills mansion purchased for $13.5 million. In 2019, he added a $15.7 million beachfront home in Malibu to his portfolio.

Personal Life

MacFarlane has never married and has no children. He has been linked to several actresses over the years, including Eliza Dushku and Emilia Clarke. He remains known for his bachelor lifestyle and dedication to his work.

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