Matt Groening (b. 1954)

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Biography

Matthew Abram Groening is an American cartoonist and animator. He is the creator of the television series The Simpsons (1989–present), Futurama, and Disenchantment (2018–2023), as well as the comic strip Life in Hell (1977–2012).

In Their Own Words (2)

It rhymes with complaining.

Regarding his last name; as quoted in "We hope you like rabbits — introducing 'Life In Hell'" by Al Morch, '''' (March 26, 1986), p. 49 , 1986

Where do babies come from? Don't bother asking adults. They lie like pigs. However, diligent independent research and hours of playground consultation have yielded fruitful, if tentative, results. There are several theories. Near as we can figure out, it has something to do with acting ridiculous in the dark. We believe it is similar to dogs when they act peculiar and ride each other. This is called "making love". Careful study of popular song lyrics, advertising catch-lines, TV sitcoms, movies, and T-Shirt inscriptions offers us significant clues as to its nature. Apparently it makes grown-ups insipid and insane. Some graffiti was once observed that said "sex is good." All available evidence, however, points to the contrary.

Bongo in Childhood Is Hell (1988) , 1988

Timeline

The story of Matt Groening, told in moments.

1977 Event

Started the comic strip Life in Hell in the LA Reader. It ran for 35 years in 250 newspapers. Two rabbits named Akbar and Jeff dealt with work, love, and existential dread. It paid the rent.

Akbar and Jeff dealing with existential dread for 35 years. Was that therapy? 250 newspapers. Was the strip always a stepping stone?

1989 Event

The Simpsons premiered on Fox. Groening had created the family in 15 minutes in James L. Brooks's office lobby, afraid of losing the rights to Life in Hell. Named the characters after his own family. Homer's design took 30 seconds.

Creating the Simpsons in 15 minutes in a lobby. Was panic the best creative pressure? Homer's design in 30 seconds. Was simplicity always the instinct?

1999 Event

Futurama premiered on Fox. Set in the year 3000. Critics loved it. Fox kept moving its time slot. It was canceled, then revived by Comedy Central, then canceled again, then revived by Hulu.

Fox kept moving Futurama's time slot. Did that feel like sabotage? Canceled, revived, canceled, revived. Was persistence the theme?

2018 Event

Disenchantment, his third animated series, debuted on Netflix. Set in a medieval fantasy world. The Simpsons was still airing in its 30th season. Groening had been writing animated comedy for longer than most of his viewers had been alive.

The Simpsons in its 30th season while you launched Disenchantment. Is there an end? Writing animated comedy longer than most viewers have been alive. Is that a legacy?