Family Guy has five main cast members, most of whom play several roles. MacFarlane voices three of the show's main characters, Peter Griffin, Brian Griffin and Stewie Griffin.[1] He has stated that he already knew what kind of voice he was looking for the main characters so it was easier to do it himself.[2] Peter's voice is inspired by the voice of a security guard MacFarlane overheard talking while attending the Rhode Island School of Design.[3] Stewie's voice was based on the voice of English actor Rex Harrison,[4] particularly on Harrison's performance in the 1964 musical drama film My Fair Lady.[5] Brian's voice is MacFarlane's regular speaking voice.[2] In addition MacFarlane provides the voice of various recurring and one-time characters, most prominently those of the Griffin's neighbor Glenn Quagmire, news anchor Tom Tucker and Lois' father Carter Pewterschmidt.[6][7]
Alex Borstein voices Lois Griffin, Asian correspondent Tricia Takanawa, Loretta Brown and Lois' mother Barbara Pewterschmidt.[8] Borstein was asked to provide a voice for the pilot while she was working on MADtv. She had not met MacFarlane or seen any artwork and said it was "really sight unseen".[9] At the time, she was doing a stage show in Los Angeles, in which she played a redhead mother, whose voice she had based on one of her cousins.[9][8] The voice was originally slower, when MacFarlane heard it, he replied "Make it a little less [...] annoying...and speed it up, or every episode will last four hours".[8]
Mila Kunis and Lacey Chabert have both played the voices of Meg Griffin.[7] Chabert voiced Meg Griffin for the first production season (15 episodes). However, because of a contractual agreement, she was never credited.[13] Chabert left the series due to time constraints with her acting role in Party of Five, as well as schoolwork,[14] while Kunis won the role after auditions and a slight rewrite of the character and because of her performance on That '70s Show.[15] MacFarlane called her back after her audition to speak slower, and then she was told to come back again later and to enunciate more, and she said that she had it under control, and then MacFarlane hired her.[15] When Kunis was asked about her character she said. "She's the scapegoat," Kunis described her cartoon character. "Meg gets picked on a lot. But it's funny. It's like the middle child. She is constantly in the state of being an awkward 14-year-old, when you're kind of going through puberty and what-not. She's just in perpetual mode of humiliation. And it's fun."[16]
Mike Henry plays the voices of Cleveland Brown and Herbert, as well as some minor recurring characters such as Bruce the performance artist and The Greased up Deaf Guy.[17] He had met MacFarlane at the Rhode Island School of Design and kept in touch with him after they graduated.[18] A few years later, MacFarlane contacted him about being part of the show, he agreed and became both a writer and voice actor for the show.[18] During the shows first four seasons, he was credited as guest star; beginning with season five's "Prick Up Your Ears" he has been credited a main cast member.[18]
He is the voice of Ernie the Giant Chicken, among other characters. He also voiced Al Harrington, the Wacky Waving Inflatable Tube Men salesman. In commentaries, he has stated that he recorded the fast-talking segments in one or two takes without any form of audio editing.
^Graham, Jefferson (April 9, 1999). "Seth Green fits right in with new Family". USA Today. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
^"Fans help 'Family Guy' return to Fox". Observer-Reporter. April 29, 2005. p. E5.
