Biography
As the creator of the long-running animated TV series "The Simpsons" (Fox, 1989- ), as well as the equally venerable weekly comic strip "Life in Hell," cartoonist Matt Groening watched his creations spawn numerous print and merchandise incarnations that helped make him a influential figure in world pop culture.
Born on Feb. 15, 1954, Groening moved from his hometown of Portland, OR to Los Angeles in 1977 with the intent of becoming a writer. …
Career Milestones
| Raised in Olympia, WA | ||
| With wife Deborah Caplan formed Life in Hell Co., which handled syndication and merchandise for Groening's projects | ||
1977 | First publication of the cartoon strip "Life in Hell" | |
1977 | Moved to Los Angeles | |
1984 | First book published, Love is Hell; content taken from the weekly "Life in Hell" comic strip | |
1986 | Made TV debut as an animator and writer with segments of "The Simpsons" for "The Tracey Ullman Show" (Fox) | |
1989 | Created and executive produced the animated series "The Simpsons" (Fox) | |
1989 | Feature debut as a screenwriter, "The Simpsons" (Fox); made up of five shorts from "The Tracey Ullman Show" | |
1989 | Made TV debut as an executive producer and creator with the first full length Simpsons special "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire," which aired as "The Simpsons Christmas Special" during first season of "The Simpsons" | |
1993 | Formed comic-book company Bongo Comics Group | |
1993 | Launched four "Simpsons" related comic books: Simpson's Comics, Bartman, Itchy & Scratchy Comics, and Radioactive Man | |
1998 | Created and executive produced the animated series "Futurama" (Fox) | |
1999 | Executive produced and had a speaking role in the animated holiday special "Olive, the Other Reindeer" (Fox) | |
2004 | Made his first speaking appearance on an episode of "The Simpsons" at a comic book convention | |
2006 | Fox signed on for another two seasons of "The Simpsons," which made it the longest running cartoon in TV history | |
2007 | Executive produced "The Simpsons Movie," a feature adaption of long-running animated series | |
2010 | Made first speaking appearance as himself on an episode of "Futurama" | |
2012 | Celebrated 500th episode of "The Simpsons" (Feb. 19) | |
Awards
1987 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing In a Variety or Music Program in The Tracey Ullman Show |
1988 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing In a Variety or Music Program in The Tracey Ullman Show |
1989 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing In a Variety or Music Program in The Tracey Ullman Show |
1990 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire |
1990 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
1991 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
1992 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
1995 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
1996 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
1997 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
1998 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
1999 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in Futurama |
1999 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
2000 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
2000 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or More) in Olive, the Other Reindeer |
2001 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in Futurama |
2001 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
2002 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in Futurama |
2002 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
2003 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in Futurama |
2003 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
2004 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in Futurama |
2004 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
2005 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
2006 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
2007 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
2008 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
2009 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less) in The Simpsons |
2010 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program in The Simpsons |