Matt Groening

In 1954, Matt Groening was born in Portland, Oregon, to Margaret Ruth and Homer Phillip Groening. He drew cartoons throughout school and, at the age of 23, came to Los Angeles after graduating from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.

He penned the "Life in Hell" series of comics and got a slot in an alternative local newsletter while working menial jobs there. That proved successful, and Hollywood producer James L. Brooks contacted him to commission him to create three short live animation gags for "The Tracey Ullman Show."

Groening wrote down the prototype for what would become "The Simpsons" family in the lobby, fearful of losing the rights to the "Life in Hell" characters. "The Tracey Ullman Show" wasn't particularly popular, but it helped Groening get a deal with Fox to make "The Simpsons," which is now television's longest-running sitcom and animated series.

"You should listen to your heart, and not the voices in your head." —Matt Groening

Net worth: $600 million

Age: 67

Country: United States