Matt Groening

Groening drew “Life in Hell” comics about rabbits while working at an alternative newspaper. In a Fox executive’s lobby, he improvised “The Simpsons” family rather than surrender his rabbits’ rights. “The Simpsons” premiered in 1989 and became the longest-running American sitcom, defining animated comedy for adults. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie are America’s animated family—dysfunctional, loving, satirical, somehow both exaggerated and achingly real. The show pioneered animated satire, proving cartoons could mock politics, culture, and society while making audiences laugh and occasionally cry.