Matt Groening

Life-in-Hell-No-4

Simpsons on Tracey Ullman

David X. Cohen & Matt Groening by Gage Skidmore

Matt Groening in his studio

Matt Groening (February 15, 1954) is an American cartoonist, writer, producer, and animator, best known as the creator of the television series The Simpsons, Futurama, and Disenchantment. Born in Portland, Oregon, Groening moved to Los Angeles in 1977, where he began his career as a comic strip artist with his creation Life in Hell, which caught the attention of James L. Brooks. Brooks contacted Groening for a project, which led to the creation of The Simpsons, first aired in 1989 as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show and later as a standalone show in 1990.

Early Life

Groening was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, the middle of five children. His father, Homer Philip Groening, was a filmmaker, advertiser, writer, and cartoonist, a profession that would later influence Matt's career. Groening attended Ainsworth Elementary School and Lincoln High School. After high school, he attended Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, where he would further develop his skills in drawing and storytelling.

Career

Life in Hell

In 1977, Groening moved to Los Angeles and initially struggled to find work. He eventually landed a job at the Los Angeles Reader, a newly formed alternative newspaper, where he began publishing his comic strip Life in Hell in 1980. The strip, which featured anthropomorphic rabbits and a gay couple, was a commentary on life in Los Angeles and Groening's own life. Life in Hell gained popularity and was eventually syndicated in over 250 newspapers.

The Simpsons

In 1987, Groening was approached by James L. Brooks to create animated shorts for The Tracey Ullman Show. Instead of using his Life in Hell characters, Groening decided to create a new set of characters, the Simpson family, which was named after his own family members but with no direct correlation. The Simpsons shorts became a part of The Tracey Ullman Show for three seasons until they were developed into a half-hour prime time show that debuted on December 17, 1989. The Simpsons has since become the longest-running American sitcom and the longest-running American animated program.

Futurama

In 1999, Groening, along with David X. Cohen, created Futurama, an animated series about life in the year 3000. The show was initially aired on Fox but was later moved to Comedy Central after a series of cancellations and revivals. Futurama has been praised for its satirical take on future societies, science fiction, and technology.

Disenchantment

In 2018, Groening released his latest series, Disenchantment, on Netflix. The show is set in the medieval fantasy kingdom of Dreamland and follows the misadventures of a hard-drinking young princess, her feisty elf companion, and her personal demon.

Personal Life

Groening has been married twice and has three children. He is known for his reclusive nature, rarely making public appearances or giving interviews. Despite his success, he has maintained a relatively low profile in the entertainment industry.

Legacy

Groening's work has had a significant impact on modern American culture and television. The Simpsons, in particular, has influenced numerous other television shows and has become a cultural icon. Groening has received numerous awards for his work, including multiple Emmy Awards.