About this Artist
Seth MacFarlane has created some of the most popular content on television and film today while also expanding his career in the worlds of music, literature and philanthropy.
He created the series FAMILY GUY, which garnered MacFarlane Emmy Awards for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance and Outstanding Music and Lyrics. In addition, MacFarlane serves as co-creator, executive producer and voice actor on AMERICAN DAD! while executive producing the 21st century version of the Emmy-winning COSMOS: A SPACE TIME ODYSSEY. MacFarlane is also an executive producer on Starz’ comedy, BLUNT TALK, starring Patrick Stewart and written by Jonathan Ames. The show recently wrapped its first season and was already greenlit for a second season. Back on the animation front, MacFarlane is executive producing Fox’s new comedy, BORDERTOWN. Starring Hank Azaria, the series premieres January 3rd, 2016.
MacFarlane made his film directorial debut in 2012 with the record-breaking comedy, TED. Fresh off the success of Ted, MacFarlane hosted the 85th Academy Awards in 2013 and was also nominated for the film that same year. He was nominated for ‘Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song’ for ‘Everybody Needs a Best Friend.’ He has since gone on to write, direct and produce A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST and TED 2. Next up for MacFarlane is Illumination Entertainment’s animated musical family comedy, Sing, in which MacFarlane voices Mike, a small mouse with a big Sinatra-esqure voice and an arrogant attitude. The film will be directed by Garth Jennings and hits theaters December 21, 2016.
MacFarlane’s debut album “Music is Better Than Words,” debuted at #1 on the iTunes jazz charts in 2011 and went on to receive two Grammy nominations, including ‘Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.’ Released by Universal Republic, the album is a celebration of the classic, sophisticated sound of the lush swing orchestras of the ‘40s and ‘50s with MacFarlane singing some of the hidden gems of that era. Norah Jones and Sara Bareilles collaborate with MacFarlane on two duets on the album. In 2014, MacFarlane released his first-ever Christmas album, “Holiday for Swing,” that debuted at #1 on the iTunes holiday album charts. The album is composed of timeless holiday songs accompanied by a 52-piece orchestra. On his third and most recent album, “No One Ever Tells You,” MacFarlane showcases the unique arrangements and orchestral interpretations of the ‘50s and ‘60s and introduces listeners to ballads about love and loss unique to the time. The album quickly rose to No. 1 on the jazz charts and garnered MacFarlane a Grammy nomination for “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album”.
He has performed with famed composer John Williams at the Hollywood Bowl, The John Wilson Orchestra for BBC proms and joined numerous celebrated symphonies including San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, Baltimore, and the National Symphony Orchestra.
MacFarlane created The Seth MacFarlane Foundation to focus his charitable efforts in 2009. As an advocate for science, he funded the Seth MacFarlane collection of the Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan archive at the Library of Congress. He also executive produced the climate change documentary inspired by the nonfiction bestseller by Naomi Klein, This Changes Everything. The film, which premiered this past fall, shot in nine countries over four years, bringing awareness to the insurmountable issue of global warming and the economic systems that facilitate it. Through his foundation, MacFarlane continues to be an avid supporter of science communication, cancer research, Reading Rainbow, The Human Rights Campaign, Oceana, the People of the American Way, Chrysalis and Perry’s Place.