Stephanie Camello Reflects on Why Seth MacFarlane Is This Generation’s Mel Blanc And Then Some

Why Seth MacFarlane Is This Generation’s Mel Blanc And Then Some

By Stephanie Camello

I’ve always loved Seth MacFarlane, but recently I’ve really come to see that he’s talented in a way that most of us can only dream of. And he’s humble about it too! Like Hollywood cartoon voice legend Mel Blanc (of Looney Tunes and Flintstones fame, among others), Seth MacFarlane has created dozens of voices for characters on multiple TV cartoon shows. But wait, there’s so much more and I’m listing all the reasons to give total respect to this behemoth of talent that walks among us, the one and only, Seth MacFarlane (maybe that’s a little much, but hey, I’m a super fan)!

Here are some reasons WHY he’s one of the most talented people in Hollywood:

1. He writes, directs and produces his own shows (Family Guy, American Dad, The Cleveland Show, Ted, The Orville, A Million Ways to Die in the West, among others).
2. He performs over half of all the male voices on all his shows, most of which have gained popularity in popular culture (like Peter Griffin, Glen Quagmire, Stan Smith, Roger the Alien, and many more).
3. He sings professionally and sounds like Sinatra with that Rat Pack swag.
4. He’s well-versed in movie and music classics and includes scenes from classic Hollywood movies and music like The King and I, Star Wars, Sinatra, swing classics, Monty Python, and both modern and classical figures in pop culture.
5. He has made many albums, has been nominated for and has won several Grammy Awards.
6. He’s a comedian who once hosted SNL and the Oscars.
7. He can write, produce, direct and star in both comedy and drama with complete precision.
8. He has developed working relationships with a plethora of well-respected actors and singers who often guest-star or have recurring spots on his many shows (like Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Adam West, Frank Sinatra Jr, Patrick Stewart & more). 
9. He conquers TV, movies, stages, albums, comedy, drama with what appears to be seamless effort, although I’ve heard he’s a vigorously hard-worker who likes to keep busy, has tons of ideas and just loves what he does.
10.  He does it all in style, class, humility, respect and humor.
11. He has a bang-up cast working on all his shows that are themselves hugely talented and amazing people (people like Seth Green, Mila Kunis, Scott Grimes, Adam West, his sister Rachael, Wendy Schaal, Patrick Stewart, Mike Henry and many more).
12.  He must come from a very talented family because his sister, Rachael MacFarlane (maiden name) is the voice of American Dad’s Haley Smith among voicing tons of other parts across his multiple shows.
13.  He does his part to make the world a better place.
14.  He’s attractive . . . duh!

So, while Mel Blanc was a hugely talented trailblazer for the entire voiceover category, I think Seth MacFarlane would make Mel proud knowing that he took the voiceover craft, honed it, perfected it and pays homage to the old style that started it all for voice acting. Seth MacFarlane just takes it up a few pegs.

Musical, vocal, drawing, writing, acting and producing talent with class, respect, style and good looks . . . the guy’s got it all!