Seth MacFarlane Net Worth and Biography in a Nutshell
- Net Worth: $300 Million
- Birthdate: October 26, 1973
- Age: 51 years old (As of 2024)
- Birthplace: Kent, Connecticut, USA
- Gender: Male
- Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
- Profession: Actor, Composer, Animator, Television Producer, Voice Actor, Comedian, Singer, Screenwriter, Film Director, Television Director
- Relatives: Rachael MacFarlane (sister), Arthur Sager (grandfather)
- Alma mater: Rhode Island School of Design (BFA)
- Nationality: United States of America
Seth MacFarlane’s Net Worth in 2024
Seth MacFarlane is an American comedian, producer, writer, voice actor, and singer with an estimated net worth of $300 million.
His wealth stems from his impressive career, especially for creating not just one, but four hit TV shows that have earned millions worldwide. These shows include:
- Family Guy
- American Dad
- The Cleveland Show
- The Orville
MacFarlane’s success goes beyond TV shows. He also found major success in the film industry. His 2012 movie “Ted” was a huge box office hit, earning over $500 million globally.
He followed it up with “Ted 2” in 2015, which made almost $200 million. In 2014, MacFarlane directed and starred in “A Million Ways to Die in the West”, which earned around $80 million, more than double its production budget.
Not only is MacFarlane known for his creative talents, but his hard work has also been recognized by the entertainment industry.
He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019 and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2020.
What Contributes to Seth MacFarlane’s Net Worth?
- TV Shows: The syndicated earnings, DVD sales, and merchandise from shows like Family Guy have brought in a significant amount of money.
- Movies: The success of movies like Ted and Ted 2 contributed millions to his fortune.
- Merchandising & Licensing: His creations have been turned into a wide variety of merchandise, further boosting his income.
MacFarlane’s ability to create iconic characters and shows, along with his talent in both writing and voice acting, has made him one of the most successful figures in television and film.
With a net worth of $300 million, Seth MacFarlane has undoubtedly carved his place as a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.
Early Life
Seth MacFarlane, born on October 26, 1973, in Kent, Connecticut, has always had a passion for creativity. He is a distant relative of William Brewster, one of the passengers aboard the Mayflower.
From a young age, Seth was drawn to the world of cartoons, inspired by characters like Woody Woodpecker and Fred Flintstone.
His love for animation sparked at just five years old, and by the time he was nine, Seth was already showing his talent.
He published his first comic strip, “Walter Crouton”, in the Kent Good Times Dispatch. This marked the beginning of his career, as Seth earned $5 per week for his work, making it his first paid job.
Seth’s early exposure to animation and comics helped shape his future career, setting the stage for his later success as one of the most influential figures in TV and film.
Journey Through RISD
During high school, Seth MacFarlane started exploring his creative side by making short films with his parents’ 8mm camera.
This passion led him to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he studied film, video, and animation. It was at RISD that Seth’s career truly began to take shape.
While at RISD, Seth met a classmate named Patrick Henry. Patrick introduced him to his brother, Mike Henry, an aspiring comedian and actor.
This connection would prove to be key in Seth’s career. Mike Henry later became a major collaborator with Seth, voicing several popular characters in Family Guy, including Cleveland Brown, Herbert, Consuela, and Bruce.
In 2009, Seth and Mike co-created “The Cleveland Show”, which ran for four seasons and aired a total of 88 episodes before ending in 2013. This collaboration marked another milestone in Seth’s rise as a creator of successful animated television shows.
Seth’s time at RISD, along with his connections with key collaborators like Mike Henry, helped set the foundation for his future success in television and film. His work continues to shape the animation industry, making him a household name in entertainment.
Early Career at Hanna-Barbera
In his senior year at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Seth MacFarlane created a film thesis titled “The Life of Larry”.
His professor was so impressed by the work that he submitted it to executives at Hanna-Barbera, the famous animation studio. The executives were quickly won over and offered Seth a job.
At Hanna-Barbera, Seth worked on a variety of animation projects. In 1996, he revamped his thesis film into a new version called “Larry & Steve.”
This version featured a middle-aged man named Larry, who was lovable but a bit silly, and his intelligent dog, Steve.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because Larry and Steve later served as the inspiration for the characters Peter Griffin and Brian Griffin from Family Guy!
Seth’s time at Hanna-Barbera helped shape his skills in animation, eventually leading to his success in creating Family Guy and other iconic shows.
The Creation and Success of Family Guy
After the success of Larry & Steve, executives at Fox asked Seth MacFarlane to pitch a show idea. Although Fox initially rejected his pitch, the success of “King of the Hill” in 1997 led them to give Seth another chance.
This time, Fox agreed to produce a pilot but offered him a tight budget of just $50,000, far below the typical $1 million per episode for most prime-time animated shows.
Seth spent the next six months creating what he later admitted was a rudimentary animated pilot.
Despite its rough animation, the pilot impressed the Fox executives, who immediately ordered a full season.
At the age of 24, Seth became the youngest executive producer in television history at the time.
Family Guy premiered on January 31, 1999, right after Fox’s broadcast of Super Bowl XXXIII. The premiere attracted 22 million viewers, and the show’s first season was successful enough to earn a second season.
However, during the second season, Family Guy faced tough competition in the Thursday 9 PM time slot, causing its ratings to drop. Despite decent viewership, the show was canceled in May 2000 after the second season.
After a brief period of cancellation, Family Guy found a new following when reruns began airing on Cartoon Network, where it became the highest-rated show on the network, boosting its viewership by over 200%.
In 2003, the first two seasons were released on DVD, selling an impressive 400,000 copies in the first week.
These seasons went on to become the best-selling DVDs of 2003 and 2004, and are now the second-best selling TV DVDs in history, behind Chappelle’s Show.
The success of the DVD sales led Fox to uncancel the show, bringing back a fourth season in May 2005. Since then, Family Guy has continued to thrive, becoming one of the most popular and influential animated shows on television.
Family Guy Syndication Revenue
Over the course of 15 years, Family Guy aired over 300 episodes across 14 seasons. The show quickly became a global phenomenon, syndicated in dozens of countries and languages.
Between 2005 and 2008, Family Guy generated more than $1 billion in revenue. This massive success came from various sources:
- $400 million from syndication deals
- $400 million from DVD sales
- $200 million from merchandise sales
To date, Family Guy has earned billions in total revenue from syndication, DVDs, and merchandise sales, making it one of the highest-earning animated series in history.
As of now, a single syndicated episode of Family Guy can sell for as much as $2 million. In addition, a 30-second commercial during the syndicated airings brings in $200,000. The show also generates approximately $500 million annually in advertising revenue alone.
The success doesn’t stop there. Over 500 Family Guy-related products have been licensed to major retailers like Wal-Mart and Target, contributing an additional $100 million in annual revenue.
Family Guy’s remarkable syndication success highlights its cultural impact and lasting appeal, continuing to bring in massive revenue from a variety of income streams.
Seth MacFarlane’s Earnings
Seth MacFarlane, alongside other animation giants like Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Matt Groening, has proven that there’s a huge fortune in the animation industry. Over the years, his earnings have soared to remarkable heights.
Between 2005 and 2008, Seth earned $2 million per year from Fox for his role as showrunner of Family Guy.
In 2009, he signed an even bigger deal — a 5-year contract worth $100 million — making it the largest TV deal at the time.
This contract ensured that Seth would continue to oversee his animation empire, including shows like Family Guy, American Dad, and The Cleveland Show.
Importantly, these salary figures don’t even include DVD sales or merchandise profits, which are estimated to bring in an additional $20 million each year for Seth, thanks to the Family Guy brand’s global success.
In 2020, Seth made another major move, signing a 5-year, $200 million deal with Universal to bring his Fuzzy Door production company to a new home, marking another significant chapter in his lucrative career.
Seth MacFarlane’s Other Work
Seth MacFarlane’s creativity extends far beyond just Family Guy. He is the creator and executive producer of American Dad, a hit animated series that first aired in 2005.
The show has been incredibly successful, with more than 350 episodes produced over 20+ seasons.
In addition, Seth co-created The Cleveland Show, which ran from 2009 to 2013, further expanding his influence in the world of animation.
Seth MacFarlane is also an accomplished filmmaker. His 2012 comedy Ted became a massive hit, earning over $500 million worldwide.
The sequel, Ted 2 (2015), grossed nearly $200 million, while his 2014 film A Million Ways to Die in the West earned $80 million, which was double its production budget.
In 2016, Seth branched out into live-action TV by creating the sci-fi series The Orville for Fox. The show has received positive reviews and further solidified Seth’s diverse career.
On top of all this, Seth is a talented musician, having released five musical albums. He frequently performs as a big band singer, showcasing his vocal skills and passion for music.
Real Estate Ventures
Seth MacFarlane has an impressive real estate portfolio. His main residence since 2008 has been a grand mansion in Beverly Hills, which he purchased for $13.5 million. The luxurious property reflects Seth’s success in both the entertainment industry and his taste for high-end living.
In 2019, Seth expanded his property collection by acquiring a stunning home in Malibu, California, for $15.7 million. The picturesque Malibu home adds to his reputation for owning some of the most sought-after properties in California.
Personal Life and Relationships
Seth MacFarlane, a lifelong bachelor, has been romantically linked to several well-known actresses over the years. He briefly dated Eliza Dushku and had a relationship with Emilia Clarke from 2012 to 2013.
Despite his high-profile relationships, Seth has never married and does not have any children. He continues to focus on his career and personal pursuits while maintaining a relatively private life.
Seth MacFarlane’s personal life has also been marked by the loss of his mother, Ann Perry Sager, who passed away from cancer on July 16, 2010. The news was shared by Larry King during an interview with Seth in May 2010.
Atheism and Beliefs
Seth is open about being a fervent atheist. He has expressed his views on religion, stating, “I do not believe in God. I’m an atheist. I consider myself a critical thinker, and it fascinates me that in the 21st century most people still believe in, as George Carlin puts it, ‘the invisible man living in the sky.'”
Seth MacFarlane’s Lawsuits
Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy, has faced several lawsuits over the years, some involving copyright infringement and others related to alleged intellectual property theft.
1. Bourne Co. Music Publishers Lawsuit (2007)
On October 3, 2007, Bourne Co. Music Publishers filed a lawsuit claiming Family Guy violated its copyright on the classic song “When You Wish Upon a Star”. The issue arose from the parody song titled “I Need a Jew” in the episode “When You Wish Upon a Weinstein”. Bourne Co. argued that the parody used a “thinly veiled” version of their melody with controversial anti-Semitic lyrics. The lawsuit targeted Seth MacFarlane, 20th Century Fox, Fox Broadcasting Co., Cartoon Network, and Walter Murphy, seeking to stop the show’s distribution and demanding unspecified damages.
However, on March 16, 2009, U.S. District Judge Deborah Batts ruled in favor of Family Guy, concluding that the parody did not infringe Bourne’s copyright. The court sided with MacFarlane, determining that the transformation of the song for comedic purposes was protected by the First Amendment under parody laws.
2. Art Metrano Lawsuit (2007)
In December 2007, Family Guy faced another copyright infringement lawsuit, this time from actor Art Metrano. The lawsuit stemmed from a scene in Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story, where Jesus performs a parody of Metrano’s signature magic act, complete with distinct hand gestures and the song “Fine and Dandy”. Metrano claimed his intellectual property was used without permission.
The case went to court, and in July 2009, a judge denied Fox’s motion to dismiss the case. The court considered the fair use factors, particularly focusing on the purpose and character of the use, which seemed to favor Metrano. In 2010, the case was settled out of court, with terms kept confidential.
3. Charlie the Abusive Teddy Bear Lawsuit (2014)
On July 16, 2014, MacFarlane was sued by the creators of a web series called Charlie the Abusive Teddy Bear. The lawsuit alleged that Ted, the animated bear from MacFarlane’s 2012 film, was too similar to their Charlie bear in personality, dialogue, voice tone, and attitude.
However, after legal proceedings, the case was dismissed with prejudice on March 23, 2015, as the plaintiffs admitted that Ted was created independently, and the case was withdrawn.
Awards and Recognitions
Seth MacFarlane, known for his work on Family Guy, Ted, and various other creative projects, has received numerous prestigious awards and nominations throughout his career. Here’s a breakdown of some of his most notable honors:
Primetime Emmy Awards
Seth MacFarlane has been nominated for twenty-four Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on Family Guy. He has won five of these awards in the following years:
- 2000
- 2002
- 2016
- 2017
- 2019
Grammy Awards
MacFarlane has been nominated for five Grammy Awards for his musical contributions. His nominated works include:
- Family Guy: Live in Vegas
- Music Is Better Than Words
- Family Guy
- No One Ever Tells You
- In Full Swing
Academy Award Nomination
In 2013, MacFarlane was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for co-writing the song “Everybody Needs a Best Friend” from his film Ted. He worked alongside the film’s composer Walter Murphy.
Other Recognitions
MacFarlane has been honored with several other prestigious awards and nominations, including:
- Annie Award for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production
- Saturn Award for Best Television Presentation for the Family Guy episode titled “Blue Harvest”
- MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo for his role in Ted
- Empire Award for Best Comedy for Ted
Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2019, Seth MacFarlane received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6259 Hollywood Blvd.
Television Hall of Fame
In 2020, MacFarlane was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, recognizing his exceptional contributions to television.
Unique Honor: A New Frog Species Named After Him
In 2022, a new species of Hyloscirtus frog, known as Hyloscirtus sethmacfarlanei, was named in honor of Seth MacFarlane. The frog species was discovered in Ecuador and bears his name as a tribute.
