Matt Groening

Early Life

Matthew Abram Groening was born on February 15, 1954, in Portland, Oregon. He is the middle child of five children. His father, Homer Groening, was a filmmaker, advertiser, writer and cartoonist, which likely influenced Groening's career path. His mother, Margaret Wiggum, was once a teacher. Groening's parents, along with his two younger sisters, Lisa and Maggie, served as the namesakes for the characters in his most famous creation, The Simpsons.

Education

Groening attended Ainsworth Elementary School and Lincoln High School in his hometown of Portland. He later went on to attend Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, a liberal arts school. It was here that Groening began to develop his unique style of satirical humor and storytelling, which would later become a hallmark of his work.

Career

Life in Hell

Groening's first major success came with the comic strip Life in Hell, which he started in 1977. The comic, which featured anthropomorphic rabbits and a gay couple, was Groening's satirical take on life and love in Los Angeles. It was during this time that Groening was noticed by Hollywood producer James L. Brooks, who would play a pivotal role in Groening's career.

The Simpsons

In 1987, Groening was approached by Brooks to create a series of animated shorts for The Tracey Ullman Show. Groening quickly sketched out his idea for a dysfunctional family, naming the characters after members of his own family. These shorts would eventually evolve into The Simpsons, which premiered as a half-hour series on Fox in 1989. The Simpsons has since become the longest-running American sitcom and the longest-running American animated program.

Futurama

In 1999, Groening and David X. Cohen created Futurama, a science fiction sitcom set in the 31st century. The show, which was initially cancelled in 2003, was revived in 2007 following successful syndication and DVD sales. Futurama has been praised for its unique humor, complex themes and character development.

Disenchantment

Groening's most recent project is Disenchantment, a Netflix original series. The show, which premiered in 2018, is a fantasy series set in the medieval kingdom of Dreamland. It follows the adventures of a hard-drinking princess, her elf companion, and her personal demon.

Style and Influences

Groening's work is known for its satirical and often cynical take on everyday life, society, and television. His characters are deeply flawed, yet relatable, and his stories often contain social and political commentary. Groening has cited cartoonists like Charles M. Schulz and Robert Crumb as influences on his work.

Personal Life

Groening has been married twice and has four children. He is known for his philanthropy, particularly in the field of education. He is also a self-proclaimed agnostic and has often explored themes of religion and spirituality in his work.

Legacy

Groening's work has left a significant impact on popular culture. The Simpsons, in particular, has been praised for its sharp, insightful humor and its influence on other animated sitcoms. Groening has received numerous awards for his work, including multiple Primetime Emmy Awards.