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Matt Groening Biography

Birth Name:Matthew Abram Groening

Birth Place:Portland, Oregon, United States

Profession Producer, Writer, Animation department, Actor, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Won the Winsor McCay Award for his contributions to the art of animation from the Annie Awards in 2011
  • In 2001, he received the Award for Ongoing Commitment from Environmental Media Awards
  • London's The Daily Telegraph named him the fourth on their list of "Top 100 Living Geniuses" in 2007
  • After graduating from college, he held a series of dead-end jobs in Los Angeles before creating the successful 1980 comic strip "Life in Hell," which would ultimately gain syndication
  • Created "The Simpsons" after producer James L․ Brooks asked him to make a series of shorts for "The Tracey Ullman Show" based on "Life in Hell," but fear of an ownership rights battle caused him to come up with the dysfunctional family instead
  • Quote: "I judge my life by how miserable it used to be․ If I could pay my rent, I was deliriously happy․ Now I'm deliriously happy all the time․"
  • Quote: "(On the message of "The Simpsons"): "Your moral authorities don't always have your best interests in mind․ Teachers, principals, clergymen, politicians - for the Simpsons, they're all goofballs, and I think that's a great message for kids․""
  • Best known as the creator of the hit animated series "The Simpsons" and "Futurama․"
  • Frequently incorporates references to classic films in his animated shows
  • Often uses his friends and family members as inspiration for his animated characters, including using the names of his family members for "The Simpsons․"

Awards

  • 1987Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1988Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less): nominated
  • 1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less): winner
  • 1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less): winner
  • 1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less): nominated
  • 1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less): winner
  • 1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less): nominated
  • 1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less): winner
  • 1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less): winner
  • 1999BAFTA TV Award-Best International (Programme or Series): nominated
  • 1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less): nominated
  • 1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less): nominated
  • 1999TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Comedy: nominated
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming More Than One Hour): nominated
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less): winner
  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): nominated
  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): winner
  • 2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): nominated
  • 2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): winner
  • 2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): nominated
  • 2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): winner
  • 2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): nominated
  • 2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): nominated
  • 2005DVDX Award-Best Audio Commentary (New for DVD): nominated
  • 2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): nominated
  • 2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): winner
  • 2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): nominated
  • 2008Annie-Best Writing in an Animated Feature Production: nominated
  • 2008OFTA Film Award-Best Animated Picture: nominated
  • 2008PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): winner
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): nominated
  • 2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: winner
  • 2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: winner
  • 2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2021Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Short Form Animated Program: nominated
  • 2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Short Form Animated Program: nominated
  • 2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: winner
  • 2024Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2025Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated