For fans of the animated sitcom Family Guy, the characters of Peter, Lois, Stewie, Brian, Meg, and Chris Griffin are as familiar as their own families. A significant part of what brings these characters to life is the talented voice cast. This article delves into the world of the Family Guy actors, celebrating their talent and recent recognition with substantial salary increases.
The core voice cast, featuring Alex Borstein (Lois Griffin), Seth Green (Chris Griffin), Mila Kunis (Meg Griffin), and Mike Henry (Cleveland Brown), successfully negotiated a significant pay raise. Each of these actors now earns between $175,000 and $225,000 per episode. This lucrative deal spans at least two more seasons, potentially extending to five, beginning with the 12th season which premiered in the fall of 2014.
(Image: Alex Borstein voicing Lois Griffin, a central Family Guy character)
It’s important to note that Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy, who voices multiple iconic characters including Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin, and Brian Griffin, negotiates his contracts separately. His deal with 20th Century Fox Television encompasses various aspects beyond just voice acting for the show.
While Fox network hadn’t officially confirmed renewals at the time of this negotiation, the continued success and cultural impact of Family Guy made its continuation highly probable. Even though Family Guy may not be the top advertising revenue generator it once was, it still commands impressive advertising rates, reportedly fetching over $250,000 per 30-second commercial spot. Crucially, the show attracts a coveted younger male demographic, consistently achieving high ratings within the 18-49 adult demographic, surpassing all other animated shows on Fox in live-plus-7 viewership.
(Image: Seth Green, voice actor for Chris Griffin, contributing to Family Guy’s humor)
Family Guy‘s financial success for 20th TV extends beyond broadcast ratings. The show generates substantial profits through licensing, merchandise, and lucrative syndication agreements with networks like TBS and Adult Swim. Family Guy reruns are a staple on Adult Swim, drawing impressive viewership numbers, often exceeding 2.5 million viewers and a 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic during late-night hours. These reruns frequently outperform most weeknight cable programs, except for major sporting events and tentpole series.
(Image: Mila Kunis, the voice behind Meg Griffin, a long-standing Family Guy character)
Although the Family Guy cast’s earnings are substantial, they still trail behind the voice actors of The Simpsons. The Simpsons cast, known for their collective bargaining power, reportedly earns around $300,000 per episode for their show, the longest-running comedy in television history. They previously earned closer to $400,000 per episode before adjustments were made.
However, earning around $200,000 per episode places the Family Guy voice actors among the top earners in primetime television talent. This is particularly notable considering the less demanding schedule compared to live-action shows. Seth Green, for instance, voices Chris Griffin while simultaneously co-starring in another Seth MacFarlane production, the live-action sitcom Dads. Alex Borstein has taken on roles in HBO’s Getting On, and Mila Kunis maintains a successful film career alongside her voice work for Family Guy.
(Image: Mike Henry, voice actor for Cleveland Brown, adding to the ensemble cast of Family Guy)
The voice actors of Family Guy are integral to the show’s enduring appeal. Their talent and dedication have made these animated characters beloved by audiences worldwide, and their well-deserved pay raise reflects their significant contribution to the ongoing success of Family Guy. Their ability to bring humor and personality to these cartoon figures week after week is a testament to their skill and the lasting power of voice acting in animation.
