Groening

Groening is a surname of Dutch origin. It is best known in popular culture for Matt Groening (born 1954), an American cartoonist and animator who created The Simpsons and Futurama.

Born in Portland, Oregon, Groening studied at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. He published Life in Hell, a self-syndicated comic that helped establish his distinctive style and humor. The Simpsons originated when Groening created a set of characters for The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987; the short segments led to The Simpsons becoming a half-hour series on Fox in 1989. The series was developed for television by Groening in collaboration with producer James L. Brooks and writer-producer Sam Simon.

The Simpsons became one of the most influential and enduring programs in American television, noted for its satirical take on American life and its large ensemble of characters. It won numerous awards and led to feature films, cross-media promotions, and a lasting cultural footprint.

Groening also created Futurama, an animated science-fiction series that aired on Fox from 1999 to 2003 and was later revived on Comedy Central from 2008 to 2013. Futurama is praised for its inventive world-building, humor, and emotional storytelling.

Beyond his television work, Groening has published graphic novels and contributed to various media projects. His work has had a lasting influence on contemporary animation and popular culture.