Net Worth Ranker
What Is Matt Groening’s Net Worth?
Matt Groening, the celebrated American animator, author, television producer, and cartoonist, boasts a substantial net worth of $600 million. This financial success is largely attributed to his creation of “The Simpsons,” a cultural phenomenon that has become the longest-running primetime television series in history. “The Simpsons” officially debuted as a half-hour primetime show in December 1989, and its enduring popularity continues to drive revenue through various avenues.
The financial empire built around “The Simpsons” rivals that of other major intellectual properties like Lego and “Star Wars.” This is primarily achieved through extensive licensing deals and the creation of theme park attractions, all of which contribute significantly to Matt Groening’s net worth. The show’s continuous run and widespread appeal have solidified its place in television history, providing a steady stream of income for Groening and his associated ventures.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Matthew Abraham Groening was born on February 15, 1954, in Portland, Oregon. He grew up in a family of five children: Mark, Patty, Lisa, and Maggie. His mother, Margaret Ruth, was a former teacher, while his father, Homer Philip, worked as a filmmaker, advertiser, writer, and cartoonist. Matt’s upbringing in a creative environment undoubtedly influenced his career path.
From 1972 to 1977, Groening attended Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. His interest in cartoons began after watching Disney’s “One Hundred and One Dalmatians.” He cites Robert Crumb, Monty Python, Ernie Bushmiller, Ronald Searle, and Charles M. Schulz as his artistic inspirations. These influences shaped his early work and helped him develop his unique style.
In 1977, at the age of 23, Groening moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a writer. During this period, he held various odd jobs, including positions at restaurants, a nursing home, a record store, and a sewage treatment plant. These experiences provided him with material for his self-published comic book, “Life in Hell,” which humorously depicted life in Los Angeles. His first professional cartoon sale occurred in 1978 to the avant-garde “Wet Magazine,” with the strip “Forbidden Words” appearing in the September/October issue.
Groening’s career progressed when he began working at the “Los Angeles Reader,” initially as a newspaper deliverer, typesetter, and editor. He eventually joined the paper as a cartoonist. “Life in Hell” officially debuted as a comic strip in the “Reader” on April 25, 1980, marking a significant milestone in his early career. The comic strip gained popularity quickly, leading to further opportunities.
“Life in Hell” and the Road to “The Simpsons”
“Life in Hell” became an immediate success, leading Groening and his then-girlfriend Deborah Caplan to publish books of “Life in Hell” strips with various themes such as “Love is Hell” and “Work is Hell.” To manage the merchandising for “Life in Hell,” Caplan and Groening established the company Life in Hell Co. At its peak, “Life in Hell” was featured in 250 weekly newspapers, demonstrating its widespread appeal. The final strip was published on June 16, 2012, marking the end of an era.
The success of “Life in Hell” caught the attention of Hollywood writer-producer James L. Brooks, who contacted Groening with a proposal to work on an undefined future project. Groening conceived the idea for “The Simpsons,” naming the characters after his own family members. These characters were initially featured in a series of shorts on “The Tracey Ullman Show.” The popularity of these shorts led to a half-hour “Simpsons” spin-off in 1989, revolutionizing primetime television. The half-hour show premiered on December 17, 1989, solidifying its place in television history. Groening co-developed “The Simpsons” with Brooks and Sam Simon for Fox Broadcasting Company. However, creative differences led to Simon’s departure in 1993. Groening remains an executive producer and creative consultant for the show and is credited as the writer or co-writer of several episodes, including “The Simpsons Movie” (2007).
“Futurama” and Other Ventures
In addition to “The Simpsons,” Groening has been involved in several other successful projects. Along with “Simpsons” writer/producer David X. Cohen, he developed the animated series “Futurama” in 1997. “Futurama,” set in the year 3000, premiered on Fox in March 1999. Although the show was initially canceled after four years, its strong DVD sales and ratings on Adult Swim led to its revival. Comedy Central acquired the rights to air “Futurama” reruns and commissioned sixteen new episodes. The show’s popularity further resulted in the production of four straight-to-DVD films: “Bender’s Big Score” (2007), “The Beast with a Billion Backs” (2008), “Bender’s Game” (2008), and “Into the Wild Green Yonder” (2009). In 2010, Comedy Central commissioned 26 new episodes, with the final episode airing in September 2013.
Another series developed by Groening is “Disenchantment,” produced in partnership with Netflix. The first ten episodes were released on Netflix in August 2018, followed by a second batch of ten episodes in September 2019. Netflix renewed the show for an additional 20 episodes, released in ten-episode batches in 2020 and 2021.
Groening’s contributions to television have been recognized with numerous awards, including a dozen Primetime Emmy Awards for “The Simpsons” and “Futurama.” In 2012, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 7021 Hollywood Blvd. He has also won a British Comedy Award and a National Cartoonist Society Reuben Award.
In 1994, Groening partnered with Steve Vance, Cindy Vance, and Bill Morrison to form Bongo Comics. The company publishes comic books based on “The Simpsons” and “Futurama,” as well as original titles. In 1995, Groening also established Zongo Comics, an imprint of Bongo Comics, which publishes comics for mature readers. These ventures further contribute to Matt Groening’s net worth.
Real Estate and Personal Life
In 2011, Groening purchased a large home in Santa Monica, California, built in 1910 by architect Robert D. Farquhar, for $11.65 million. He undertook extensive renovations and expansions on the property. In May 2019, he acquired the house next door for $11.9 million. The resulting compound covers over an acre of prime real estate in Santa Monica. Additionally, Groening owns a beachfront home in Malibu, which he bought in 2000 for $8.5 million. This property is now estimated to be worth at least $20 million.
Groening was married to Deborah Caplan from 1986 to 1999, and they had two sons, Homer and Abe. After dating for four years, he married Argentinian artist Augustina Picasso in 2011. He became stepfather to her daughter and later had five children with Picasso, including two sets of twins.
Matt Groening’s net worth is not just a reflection of his financial success but also a testament to his creative genius and enduring impact on the entertainment industry. His creation of “The Simpsons,” along with his other ventures, has solidified his place as one of the most influential figures in animation and television history. His continued involvement in these projects ensures a steady stream of income and maintains his prominent position in the entertainment industry. While specific salary figures for his ongoing work on “The Simpsons” and other projects are not publicly disclosed, it is evident that his earnings remain substantial, contributing significantly to his overall net worth. The various streams of revenue from licensing, merchandising, and royalties further enhance his financial portfolio, making him one of the wealthiest figures in the animation world. Matt Groening’s net worth is a testament to his hard work, creativity, and business acumen.
