We bring you the facts about the director of A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST…
A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST is released in Irish cinemas this week, and stars Seth MacFarlane as a cowardly man in the Old West, who must find his courage to win the girl. We decided to gather together some trivia about the FAMILY GUY creator…
1. The Early Days
After he graduated college, MacFarlane worked as an animator and writer on the Hanna-Barbera shows JOHNNY BRAVO, COW AND CHICKEN, DEXTER’S LABORATORY and I AM WEASEL.
2. Acting Out
MacFarlane has made guest appearances as an actor on THE GILMORE GIRLS, THE WAR AT HOME and FLASHFORWARD. He has also had roles in THE TOOTH FAIRY.
3. Sing Your Heart Out!
As a singer MacFarlane has performed at several venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall.
4. Young Achiever
Seth MacFarlane knew he wanted to work in animation by the time he was five years old. He started creating animated flip books after his parents found him a book on the subject.
5. Prime Time for Comedy
While working at Hanna-Barbera, MacFarlane pitched FAMILY GUY to Fox TV and was commissioned to create a pilot for the show. MacFarlane spent six months working on the pilot for the show, which was picked up immediately.
6. This is the End…
Although he has had phenomenal success with FAMILY GUY and AMERICAN DAD!, MacFarlane has had his fair share of disappointments too; THE CLEVELAND SHOW being cancelled after four seasons, his executive produced shows THE WINNER only lasting six episodes, and DADS having the plug pulled after one season.
7. AMERICAN DAD!
MacFarlane says the idea for AMERICAN DAD! came from his and co-creator Matt Weitzman’s frustration with the Bush administration, and they decided to channel their complaints into something positive.
8. Open Door
The name of his production company, Fuzzy Door, comes from the name of his apartment when he attended Rhode Island School of Design (RISD); the door to the house was covered in fur.
9. Lucky Escape
MacFarlane was supposed to board the first plane that crashed into the Twin Towers on September 11th, but he missed his flight due to his travel agent giving him the wrong departure time.
10. TED 2
MacFarlane is working on a sequel to his 2011 film TED. Amanda Seyfried has been cast in the lead role alongside MacFarlane voicing the foul-mouthed teddy bear.
A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST is released in Irish cinemas on May 30th
Words: Brogen Hayes