Family Guy Cast: Then Vs Now
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VOICE OVER: Ryan Wild
WRITTEN BY: Arianna Wechter
After all these years, Meg still hasn't shut up! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're looking at where the cast of “Family Guy” is now in their careers, compared to where they were when the series first began in 1999. Our countdown includes cast members Mila Kunis, Patrick Warburton, Jennifer Tilly and more
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at where the cast of “Family Guy” is now in their careers, compared to where they were when the series first began in 1999. We'll be focusing on cast members who are still with us, though we dearly miss treasures like Adam West and Carrie Fisher. Which cast member voices your favorite character? Let us know in the comments below!
Phil LaMarr is no stranger to the limelight. Before joining the cast, he already had a consistent career as a character actor. He appeared in several movies and TV shows, such as “Pulp Fiction” and “Mad TV.” However, he found his niche when he started voice acting in the late 1990s. On “Family Guy,” he instantly made a mark for himself by voicing two of the more underrated characters on the show– Ollie Williams and Judge Dignified Q. Blackman. Around this time, he also started voicing Hermes on “Futurama,” whom he still plays in the 2023 revival. Outside of television, he has appeared in huge franchises across the entertainment industry, from “The Incredibles” to “Mortal Kombat.”
Drew Barrymore has had a vast career, spanning decades. She’s dabbled in pretty much every area of Hollywood, from traditional acting to voice acting to directing. She made her first film appearance at only five years old, and then found mainstream success after starring in “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” at seven. By the time she was cast, she had starred in several more acclaimed movies. On the show, she portrayed a few minor roles, but is most known for playing Jillian, Brian’s ditzy but loveable on-again off-again girlfriend. While the character hasn’t had a speaking role since 2013, that certainly hasn’t slowed her down. Barrymore has several successful business ventures, most recently becoming a talk show host.
This program may have been Mike Henry’s big break, but his work on the show has made him a staple in the profession. He has voiced some of the most recognizable side characters, such as Herbert, Consuela, and Bruce. He was also the voice of Cleveland Brown until 2020 when he made the decision to step back from that role. However, this has allowed the other characters he plays to shine. He has remained loyal to MacFarlane throughout his career. He portrayed several characters in “The Cleveland Show!” and currently plays Dann in “The Orville.” He’s even starred in some of Seth’s films. It’s clear his passion lies in voice acting, and we can only hope that he’ll continue to voice these iconic characters.
Jennifer Tilly is a true jack of all trades. She received an Academy Award nomination for her role in “Bullets Over Broadway,” which showcased her talent as an actor. She continued to act throughout the 90s, and found immense success portraying Tiffany in the “Child’s Play” film series. Tilly has been voicing Bonnie on the show since its beginning, but she still has time for other projects. She has worked on several high-profile animated films, such as “Monsters, Inc.” She has also received praise for her work on Broadway. Outside of her acting career, Tilly is an accomplished poker player. She won several events across the 2000s, and was even nominated for a lifetime achievement award in the sport in 2014.
Before being cast as reporter-turned-murderer Diane Simmons, Lori Alan had already made a name for herself in voice acting. Throughout the 1990s, she was steadily working on several shows, including “The Fantastic Four,” “Hey Arnold!,” and “Animaniacs.” However, being cast as the animated journalist allowed her career to expand even further. She has portrayed Pearl on “SpongeBob SquarePants” since the show’s first season, and has appeared as the character in the subsequent movies and television shows. She has also voiced smaller characters in several animated films, including large franchises like “Despicable Me” and “Toy Story.” She was rewarded for her work as a voice actress in 2014, cementing herself as an icon of the craft.
Patrick Warburton first got a taste of fame after his recurring role as David Puddy on “Seinfeld”. Since then, his career has skyrocketed. While he has had his fair share of on-screen roles, many of his fans know him for his animated roles and distinctive voice. Besides playing Joe Swanson, he has also starred in cult classics, such as “The Emperor's New Groove,” where he made an instant splash playing Kronk. He has lent his voice to 3D animated films like “The Bee Movie” and “Open Season.” He even starred as Lemony Snicket in Netflix’s adaptation of “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” It’s clear he hasn’t just made an impact on the show – his career has had a lasting effect across generations.
Mila Kunis is such an established actor it’s hard to believe this was one of her first opportunities. While she had already secured a role as Jackie on “That '70s Show,” she still wasn’t too well known. She auditioned for the role of Meg after the original actress, Lacey Chabert, had to step down due to other conflicts. The rest is history. Mila’s career exploded, and she starred in a variety of projects. She received acclaim for her roles in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Black Swan.” Most recently, she produced and starred in a Netflix film, which has been considered some of her best work. She is also philanthropic and has donated to several charities, along with starting her own. However, in 2023, her support of “That ‘70s Show” castmate Danny Masterson during his sexual assault trial did result in controversy for Kunis and husband Ashton Kutcher.
Before being cast as Chris, Seth Green had proven himself to be a successful comedic actor. He was a child star and had a string of impressive roles throughout the 1980s. He acted in a diverse range of genres, from horror to comedy. Some of his most notable work from this period includes the “Austin Powers” franchise and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Since joining the show, Green has continued to voice act. He played Howard the Duck in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise and has also portrayed the character in other Marvel shows. He is heavily involved in “Robot Chicken,” which he helped create. He has even begun to write longer scripts, releasing his first feature film “Changeland” in 2019.
Unlike most of the cast, Alex Borstein got her start behind the scenes. She wrote for popular animated franchises, her most famous being “Pinky and the Brain.” She started acting in 1997, and soon afterwards was cast as Lois. She continued to act throughout the 2000s and 2010s, taking on a multitude of roles in various mediums. In the late 2010s, she started to receive more acclaim. She starred in “Getting On,” an HBO series that received praise from critics and fans. She has also won two Primetime Emmy awards for her work on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Her career has been on an upward trajectory, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
The man, the myth, the legend. Seth MacFarlane got his start working for Hanna-Barbera, but found success after “Family Guy” premiered. He then went on to create several other popular shows, such as “American Dad!” and “The Cleveland Show.” He branched out into live-action roles with his work in “The Orville”-- which he also created. He quickly proved that television wasn’t the only frontier for him. He’s written and starred in several feature films, with the “Ted” franchise being his most popular. As if that wasn’t enough, he also has a thriving music career. He has released seven albums, and is even featured on a Logic song. There’s no telling where Seth’s career will go next, but it’s clear he has the golden touch.
#10: Phil LaMarr
VariousPhil LaMarr is no stranger to the limelight. Before joining the cast, he already had a consistent career as a character actor. He appeared in several movies and TV shows, such as “Pulp Fiction” and “Mad TV.” However, he found his niche when he started voice acting in the late 1990s. On “Family Guy,” he instantly made a mark for himself by voicing two of the more underrated characters on the show– Ollie Williams and Judge Dignified Q. Blackman. Around this time, he also started voicing Hermes on “Futurama,” whom he still plays in the 2023 revival. Outside of television, he has appeared in huge franchises across the entertainment industry, from “The Incredibles” to “Mortal Kombat.”
#9: Drew Barrymore
VariousDrew Barrymore has had a vast career, spanning decades. She’s dabbled in pretty much every area of Hollywood, from traditional acting to voice acting to directing. She made her first film appearance at only five years old, and then found mainstream success after starring in “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” at seven. By the time she was cast, she had starred in several more acclaimed movies. On the show, she portrayed a few minor roles, but is most known for playing Jillian, Brian’s ditzy but loveable on-again off-again girlfriend. While the character hasn’t had a speaking role since 2013, that certainly hasn’t slowed her down. Barrymore has several successful business ventures, most recently becoming a talk show host.
#8: Mike Henry
VariousThis program may have been Mike Henry’s big break, but his work on the show has made him a staple in the profession. He has voiced some of the most recognizable side characters, such as Herbert, Consuela, and Bruce. He was also the voice of Cleveland Brown until 2020 when he made the decision to step back from that role. However, this has allowed the other characters he plays to shine. He has remained loyal to MacFarlane throughout his career. He portrayed several characters in “The Cleveland Show!” and currently plays Dann in “The Orville.” He’s even starred in some of Seth’s films. It’s clear his passion lies in voice acting, and we can only hope that he’ll continue to voice these iconic characters.
#7: Jennifer Tilly
Bonnie SwansonJennifer Tilly is a true jack of all trades. She received an Academy Award nomination for her role in “Bullets Over Broadway,” which showcased her talent as an actor. She continued to act throughout the 90s, and found immense success portraying Tiffany in the “Child’s Play” film series. Tilly has been voicing Bonnie on the show since its beginning, but she still has time for other projects. She has worked on several high-profile animated films, such as “Monsters, Inc.” She has also received praise for her work on Broadway. Outside of her acting career, Tilly is an accomplished poker player. She won several events across the 2000s, and was even nominated for a lifetime achievement award in the sport in 2014.
#6: Lori Alan
Diane SimmonsBefore being cast as reporter-turned-murderer Diane Simmons, Lori Alan had already made a name for herself in voice acting. Throughout the 1990s, she was steadily working on several shows, including “The Fantastic Four,” “Hey Arnold!,” and “Animaniacs.” However, being cast as the animated journalist allowed her career to expand even further. She has portrayed Pearl on “SpongeBob SquarePants” since the show’s first season, and has appeared as the character in the subsequent movies and television shows. She has also voiced smaller characters in several animated films, including large franchises like “Despicable Me” and “Toy Story.” She was rewarded for her work as a voice actress in 2014, cementing herself as an icon of the craft.
#5: Patrick Warburton
Joe SwansonPatrick Warburton first got a taste of fame after his recurring role as David Puddy on “Seinfeld”. Since then, his career has skyrocketed. While he has had his fair share of on-screen roles, many of his fans know him for his animated roles and distinctive voice. Besides playing Joe Swanson, he has also starred in cult classics, such as “The Emperor's New Groove,” where he made an instant splash playing Kronk. He has lent his voice to 3D animated films like “The Bee Movie” and “Open Season.” He even starred as Lemony Snicket in Netflix’s adaptation of “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” It’s clear he hasn’t just made an impact on the show – his career has had a lasting effect across generations.
#4: Mila Kunis
Meg GriffinMila Kunis is such an established actor it’s hard to believe this was one of her first opportunities. While she had already secured a role as Jackie on “That '70s Show,” she still wasn’t too well known. She auditioned for the role of Meg after the original actress, Lacey Chabert, had to step down due to other conflicts. The rest is history. Mila’s career exploded, and she starred in a variety of projects. She received acclaim for her roles in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Black Swan.” Most recently, she produced and starred in a Netflix film, which has been considered some of her best work. She is also philanthropic and has donated to several charities, along with starting her own. However, in 2023, her support of “That ‘70s Show” castmate Danny Masterson during his sexual assault trial did result in controversy for Kunis and husband Ashton Kutcher.
#3: Seth Green
VariousBefore being cast as Chris, Seth Green had proven himself to be a successful comedic actor. He was a child star and had a string of impressive roles throughout the 1980s. He acted in a diverse range of genres, from horror to comedy. Some of his most notable work from this period includes the “Austin Powers” franchise and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Since joining the show, Green has continued to voice act. He played Howard the Duck in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise and has also portrayed the character in other Marvel shows. He is heavily involved in “Robot Chicken,” which he helped create. He has even begun to write longer scripts, releasing his first feature film “Changeland” in 2019.
#2: Alex Borstein
VariousUnlike most of the cast, Alex Borstein got her start behind the scenes. She wrote for popular animated franchises, her most famous being “Pinky and the Brain.” She started acting in 1997, and soon afterwards was cast as Lois. She continued to act throughout the 2000s and 2010s, taking on a multitude of roles in various mediums. In the late 2010s, she started to receive more acclaim. She starred in “Getting On,” an HBO series that received praise from critics and fans. She has also won two Primetime Emmy awards for her work on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Her career has been on an upward trajectory, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
#1: Seth MacFarlane
VariousThe man, the myth, the legend. Seth MacFarlane got his start working for Hanna-Barbera, but found success after “Family Guy” premiered. He then went on to create several other popular shows, such as “American Dad!” and “The Cleveland Show.” He branched out into live-action roles with his work in “The Orville”-- which he also created. He quickly proved that television wasn’t the only frontier for him. He’s written and starred in several feature films, with the “Ted” franchise being his most popular. As if that wasn’t enough, he also has a thriving music career. He has released seven albums, and is even featured on a Logic song. There’s no telling where Seth’s career will go next, but it’s clear he has the golden touch.
