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Matt GroeningCartoonist, animator, screenwriter and producer
Date of Birth: 15.02.1954
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- "Life in Hell" and Early Career
- Creation of "The Simpsons"
- "Bongo Comics Group" and Other Projects
- Personal Life and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Matthew Abram "Matt" Groening was born on February 15, 1954, in Portland, Oregon. From a young age, he displayed a natural talent for drawing, particularly caricatures. His playful sketches and illustrations often landed him in the principal's office during his elementary school years. However, according to Groening's own admission, he had little interest in academic pursuits.
After graduating high school, Groening attended Evergreen College in Olympia, Washington, where he actively contributed to the school newspaper. He subsequently moved to Los Angeles with aspirations of becoming a writer.
"Life in Hell" and Early Career
In 1978, Groening created his first comic strip, "Life in Hell," based on his experiences in Los Angeles. The main character, a rabbit named Binky, was comically ill-drawn. Despite its unconventional style, "Life in Hell" made its debut in the weekly newspaper "Los Angeles Reader," where Groening worked as an editor. The comic strip gained immense popularity, appearing in over 200 newspapers in the United States and Canada. Groening also released several published collections of "Life in Hell," such as "School is Hell," "Love is Hell," and "Work is Hell." The strip continues to be syndicated in some newspapers today.
Creation of "The Simpsons"
In September 1986, Groening created a series of 2-minute animated shorts titled "The Simpsons" for the "Tracey Ullman Show." He quickly sketched the iconic family of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, drawing inspiration from his own family. The characters immediately resonated with audiences, and "The Simpsons" became Groening's first major foray into animation.
In 1990, "The Simpsons" debuted on Fox as a full-fledged half-hour show. It was an instant critical and commercial success, garnering numerous Emmy Awards and becoming the longest-running animated series in television history.
"Bongo Comics Group" and Other Projects
In the wake of "The Simpsons"' success, Groening founded Bongo Comics Group in 1994. As publisher of Bongo, he launched several spin-off comic books, including "Simpsons Comics," "Radioactive Man," "Bartman," and "Itchy & Scratchy Comics." Groening also produced numerous adaptations of "The Simpsons" and another of his creations, "Futurama."
"Futurama," which debuted in 1999, is a futuristic animated sitcom that has received critical acclaim for its sharp wit, social commentary, and innovative storytelling.
Personal Life and Legacy
Groening has been married twice. In 1986, he married Deborah Kaplan, with whom he had two sons, Homer and Abraham. They divorced in 1999. In 2011, he married Allison Moore.
In addition to his work in animation and comics, Groening is a musician and a member of the rock band "The Rock Bottom Remainders."
"The Simpsons" has become a global phenomenon, spawning a vast empire of merchandise, video games, and books. Groening's animated creations have left an indelible mark on popular culture and continue to entertain audiences worldwide.