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Adam Reed
View on WikipediaAdam Brooks Reed (born January 8, 1970)[1] is an American voice actor, animator, screenwriter, television producer and television director. Reed created, wrote, and voice acted for the FX/FXX adult animated comedy series Archer, which premiered in September 2009. He also voice acted, wrote, directed and produced the television series Sealab 2021 and Frisky Dingo, with his co-creator and creative partner Matt Thompson.
Key Information
Early work
[edit]Reed graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1992 with a degree in English.[2] He was hired as an intern at Turner Broadcasting thanks to his sister's connections, where his first job consisted of reviewing episodes of The Flintstones to be distributed on VHS as part of a promotion with Little Debbie, developing both an encyclopedic knowledge and appreciation for the series in the process.[3] Reed would eventually meet his future creative partner Matt Thompson, who was working in the on-air department as an associate producer at the time. The two soon collaborated on various Cartoon Network On-Air projects where they were credited together as "Butterbean."[4] In 1994, Thompson pitched High Noon Toons as a mid-day programming block for the network. High Noon Toons was hosted by cowboy hand puppets Haas (Thompson) and Lil' Jo (Reed), both referencing characters on Bonanza. This culminated in a primetime special series, Hoot'Nanny, where Reed and Thompson traveled to various European cities to shoot footage for the special as Haas and Li'l Jo. The two were frequently drunk during filming. Once in 1995, the duo were reprimanded for lighting one of the prop sets on fire.[5]
In 1995, Reed was told to write the live action segments for Carrot Top's A.M. Mayhem, a two-hour morning block of cartoons hosted by Scott "Carrot Top" Thompson. Reed described the experience as "a nightmare," placing most of the blame on Thompson's manager, who he described as "an unfunny person approving your jokes."[6] It was during this time where he and Matt Thompson came up with the idea for what would eventually become Sealab 2021, but the network wanted Reed to continue writing for A.M. Mayhem. In response, Reed resigned from Turner. Thompson resigned shortly after.[7] Prior to leaving, both stole the source footage material for Sealab 2020 from the network.
Reed and Thompson moved to New York, where they would spend a year working production in the "sordid underbelly" of daytime talk shows.[8] Soon they were working for Showtime, and "making more money than we ever thought possible," according to Reed. During this period, the duo produced two amateur pilots for Sealab in their spare time using the stolen footage, which they would later send unsolicited to Cartoon Network's then vice president of development, Mike Lazzo. Due to their boss at Showtime having an unforeseen accident, Reed and Thompson suddenly find themselves unemployed. In response, Reed booked a getaway trip to Europe. As he was about to leave for the airport, Lazzo called Reed wanting to greenlight Sealab.[9]
Companies
[edit]Reed and Thompson formed 70/30 Productions when they created Sealab 2021, one of the first original series for Adult Swim. The company's name came from the plan that Reed would do 70% of the writing and 30% of the producing, with Thompson doing the reverse.[10]
The pair became known for their work on a number of other Adult Swim projects, including Frisky Dingo, which aired for several years after Sealab 2021 was cancelled.[11]
In 2009, Reed and Thompson closed 70/30 Productions and formed Floyd County Productions to produce Reed's new project, the FX/FXX series Archer. The company not only develops exclusive programming but also creates content for other media, including the television shows Atlanta, Legion, Fargo, Goliath and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In 2020, After numerous years of hard work, Reed decided to officially retire and sold the remainder of the company to Thompson.
Archer
[edit]After the cancellation of Frisky Dingo in 2008, Reed took a vacation to Spain to brainstorm ideas for a new project. His experience traversing the Vía de la Plata, and people-watching in Plaza Mayor in nearby Salamanca, enabled him to conceptualize his vision of Archer.[12][13] Reed recalled in an interview:
So I sat on the Plaza Mayor for three days – drinking either coffee or beer or gin, depending on the time of day – surrounded by these Spanish women who seemed both unaware and completely aware of their beauty. Occasionally they would glance over – and catch me gaping at them – and just smile at me like, "I know, right?" And for three days, I couldn't even splutter "Buenos dias" to any of them – not once. And thus was Sterling Archer born – he would've absolutely sauntered over to a table full of those women and sat down and ordered an entire case of cava or whatever.[12]
Nevertheless, he believed developing a sitcom with the theme of global espionage was inevitable given his proclivity for adventure-driven comedy. Archer was originally pitched under the working title Duchess.[14]
Archer draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including the James Bond franchise, OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006), and The Pink Panther franchise.[15] The show's hallmarks include reference-heavy humor, rapid-fire dialogue, and meta-comedy. Archer is produced using limited animation and takes its visual style from mid-century comic art. The cast members record their lines individually, and the show regularly employs guest actors and actresses for supporting characters. There have been 145 episodes broadcast in the show's history.
Archer has received positive reviews from critics and won awards, including four Primetime Emmy Awards, four Critics Choice Awards, and three Clio Awards. The series has also received 15 Annie Award nominations, among others, for outstanding achievement in animation, writing, direction, and voice acting.
Filmography
[edit]Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–95 | High Noon Toons | Lil' Jo | Also writer and producer |
| 2000–05 | Sealab 2021 | Dr. Virjay, Mardock, Various | Also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2005–07; 2018 | 12 oz. Mouse | Shark | Actor; 22 episodes |
| 2006–08 | Frisky Dingo | Killface, Xander Crews / Awesome X, Ronnie, Wendell T. Stamps, Nearl Crews | Also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2008 | The Xtacles | — | Also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2007 | That Crook'D 'Sipp | Beauregard Beauxregard VIII | Pilot; actor |
| 2008–09 | Robot Chicken | King Randor, Tony Stark / Iron Man, NASCAR President, Jerry Lawler | Actor; 3 episodes |
| 2009–23 | Archer | Ray Gillette, Bilbo, Captain Reynaud | Also creator, director (season 1–6), writer (season 1–10) and executive producer |
| 2012 | Unsupervised | — | Executive producer |
| 2014 | Chozen | Executive producer |
Awards and honors
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | NewNowNext Awards | Best Show You're Not Watching[16] | Archer | Won |
| 2011 | Annie Awards | Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production[17] | Archer | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Comedy Series[18] | Archer | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Annie Awards | Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production[19] | Archer | Nominated |
| Comedy Awards | Best Animated Comedy Series[20] | Archer | Won | |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Animated Series[21] | Archer | Won | |
| 2013 | Annie Awards | Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production[22] | Archer | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Animated Series[23] | Archer | Won | |
| 2014 | Annie Awards | Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production[24] | Archer | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Animated Series[25] | Archer | Won | |
| Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program[26] | For "Archer Vice: The Rules Of Extraction" | Nominated | |
| 2015 | Annie Awards | Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production[27] | Archer | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Animated Series[28] | Archer | Won | |
| Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program[29] | "Pocket Listing" | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media – Multiplatform Storytelling[30] | Mark Paterson & Tim Farrell for "Archer Scavenger Hunt" | Won | ||
| 2016 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program[31] | "The Figgis Agency" | Won |
| Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media – Multiplatform Storytelling[32] | Mark Paterson, Tim Farrell, & Bryan Fordney for "Archer Scavenger Hunt 2" | Won | ||
| 2017 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program[33] | "Archer Dreamland: No Good Deed" | Nominated |
| 2018 | Annie Awards | Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production[34] | Adam Reed | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Animated Series[35] | Archer | Nominated | |
| Webby Awards | Best Use of Augmented Reality[36] | Archer, P.I. App | Nominated | |
| Saturn Awards | Best Animated Series or Film on Television[37] | Archer | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ "North Carolina, Birth Index, 1800-2000," index, FamilySearch), Adam Brooks Reed, 1970". Familysearch.org. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- ^ "Adam Reed, cartoon man of mystery".
- ^ Adult Swim Podcast (September 11, 2019). "Adam Reed (Co-creator of Sealab 2021) (14:23)" (video). youtube.com. Adult Swim.
- ^ Adult Swim Podcast (September 11, 2019). "Adam Reed (Co-creator of Sealab 2021) (25:06)" (video). youtube.com. Adult Swim.
- ^ Atlanta Magazine, Oct. 2005, pg. 140. October 2005. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
- ^ Adult Swim Podcast (September 11, 2019). "Adam Reed (Co-creator of Sealab 2021) (25:49)" (video). youtube.com. Adult Swim.
- ^ Adult Swim Podcast (September 11, 2019). "Adam Reed (Co-creator of Sealab 2021) (24:16)" (video). youtube.com. Adult Swim.
- ^ Official Archer Season 6 Guide PDF
- ^ Adult Swim Podcast (September 11, 2019). "Adam Reed (Co-creator of Sealab 2021) (28:04)" (video). youtube.com. Adult Swim.
- ^ Atlanta Magazine, Oct. 2005, pg. 110. October 2005. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
- ^ "Exclusive: Adam Reed On The Origins Of FX's 'Archer'". Fanbolt. March 3, 2011. Archived from the original on August 22, 2011.
- ^ a b Reed, Adam (May 14, 2014). "'Archer's' Adam Reed: If Spanish Women Liked Me, I Never Would Have Created This Show". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018.
- ^ Brophy-Warren, Jamin (January 11, 2010). "New FX Series "Archer" Puts an Animated Twist on the Spy Genre". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018.
- ^ Holman, Neal (December 6, 2016). The Art of Archer. HarperCollins. p. 3. ISBN 978-0062484130.
- ^ Gelman, Vlada (February 24, 2011). "Adam Reed". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Alt URL
- ^ "Logo announces winners for this year's "NewNowNext Awards"". Logo TV. June 18, 2010. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Annie Awards 2011: Complete List of Winners". Gold Derby. March 7, 2016. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ Labrecque, Jeff (June 6, 2011). "'Archer' season premiere review: Is this the best (children) cartoon on TV?". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Annie Awards 2012: Complete List of Nominations". Gold Derby. March 7, 2016. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ Harp, Justin (March 6, 2012). "The Comedy Awards 2012: Nominations in full". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Critics' Choice TV Awards: 'Homeland', 'Community' & 'Sherlock' Double Winners". Deadline Hollywood. June 18, 2012. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "40th Annie Award nominees and winners list". Los Angeles Times. February 2, 2013. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- ^ "Winners of the 3rd Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards". Broadcast Television Journalists Association. June 10, 2013. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "41st Annie Awards (2014)". ASIFA-Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Winners and Nominees from the 4th Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards". Broadcast Television Journalists Association. June 1, 2015. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "66th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "42nd Annie Awards (2015)". ASIFA-Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Critics' Choice TV Awards Winners: The Full List". Deadline Hollywood. May 31, 2015. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "67th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Nominees and Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Complete list of 2016 Emmy nominations and winners". Los Angeles Times. September 18, 2016. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "'Archer' Scavenger Hunt, '@midnight,' Among Interactive Media Juried Emmy Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. September 8, 2016. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "The complete list of 2017 Emmy winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times. September 17, 2017. Archived from the original on July 14, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
- ^ Giardina, Carolyn (December 4, 2017). "'Coco,' 'The Breadwinner' Lead Annie Awards Feature Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ Johnson, Zach (December 6, 2017). "Critics' Choice Awards 2018: Complete List of Movie and TV Nominations". E! News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "2018 Winners". The Webby Awards. April 24, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
- ^ McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
External links
[edit]Adam Reed
View on GrokipediaEarly years
Early life
Adam Reed was born on January 8, 1970, in Asheville, North Carolina.[3][2] He grew up in the mountain town of Asheville, where his family resided during his childhood.[2] Reed has an older sister named Anna, who later pursued a career in media.[2] During his formative years, Reed's access to television was limited, as he was frequently shooed away from the screen by his parents.[2] Despite this, he developed an early interest in certain television genres, recalling watching private investigator shows such as Simon & Simon and Magnum, P.I. in the early 1980s.[4] He has also cited the rapid-paced, dialogue-driven comedy of Moonlighting as a significant early influence.[4] These childhood experiences in Asheville shaped Reed's early exposure to storytelling through media, though details on specific artistic pursuits prior to adolescence remain limited in available accounts. Reed later attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for his higher education.[2]Education
Adam Reed attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.[5][6] During his time at the university, Reed majored in English and pursued coursework toward a minor in Drama, but ultimately fell short due to receiving a failing grade in one class.[5][6] His academic focus on English literature and writing provided foundational skills that informed his subsequent career in scriptwriting for animated television.[5]Professional beginnings
Entry into the industry
Adam Reed entered the animation industry through an internship at Turner Broadcasting System in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1994, secured through his older sister Anna, who worked there.[7][8] His early responsibilities in the marketing department involved reviewing episodes of Hanna-Barbera classics such as The Flintstones to identify those with the fewest dinosaurs, supporting a potential promotional deal with a snack cake company following Turner's acquisition of the library.[9][10] This work immersed him in the foundational elements of animated content curation and the burgeoning Atlanta media ecosystem, where Turner served as a hub for emerging talent in television production. In 1994, Reed advanced to Cartoon Network, Turner's dedicated animation channel, where he took on production assistant roles and contributed to on-air programming.[2][11] A key early project was High Noon Toons, a midday block of classic Western-themed cartoons hosted by the character Schoolhouse Rocky, which showcased his growing involvement in scheduling and promotional segments.[2][6] During this period, Reed began collaborating with fellow Cartoon Network staffer Matt Thompson, with the pair credited together as the creative duo "Butterbean" on various interstitial and on-air projects.[12] These initial positions at Turner provided Reed with hands-on exposure to the Atlanta animation scene, a vibrant community fueled by the company's expansion into 24-hour programming and innovative blocks that laid the groundwork for adult-oriented content in the late 1990s.[2][8] By 1996, after two years at Cartoon Network, Reed had departed to pursue freelance opportunities, building on the industry connections and skills honed in Atlanta's media landscape.[2][6]Key collaborations
Adam Reed established his most significant early professional partnership with Matt Thompson in the mid-1990s, when both worked as production assistants at Cartoon Network.[13] Their collaboration began amid a range of odd jobs in the network's on-air department, where they quickly recognized a mutual affinity for subversive humor and experimental animation.[14] The duo's creative process was marked by informal, irreverent methods that drew heavily from Cartoon Network's extensive library of vintage Hanna-Barbera content. Reed and Thompson often engaged in sessions where they would view old episodes—such as those from obscure series—with the audio muted, improvising new, adult-oriented dialogues while under the influence of alcohol to spark ideas.[14] This playful deconstruction of classic material became a hallmark of their approach, emphasizing satire, workplace dynamics, and absurd twists on familiar tropes, all shaped by their immersion in the network's promotional and archival environment.[14] Through these joint efforts, Reed and Thompson developed innovative concepts tailored for mature audiences.[13] Their partnership's emphasis on quick-witted collaboration and archival influences laid the groundwork for boundary-pushing animated series. These efforts ultimately led to the founding of 70/30 Productions, enabling them to produce original content independently.[15]Production companies
70/30 Productions
70/30 Productions was an American animation studio founded in 2000 in Atlanta, Georgia, by Adam Reed and Matt Thompson, who had previously collaborated on projects at Cartoon Network. The company's name originated from the partners' planned workload split, with Thompson responsible for 70% of the producing and 30% of the writing, while Reed handled 70% of the writing and 30% of the producing.[16][17] As a small-scale production house focused on adult-oriented animated content, 70/30 operated primarily under commissions from Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming block, which provided the funding and distribution for its output. Reed played a central role as the primary creator and executive producer, overseeing script development and creative direction alongside Thompson's production leadership. The studio's operations emphasized efficient, low-budget animation techniques, leveraging recycled footage and voice acting to produce surreal comedy series tailored to Adult Swim's late-night audience.[5][18] The company's key outputs included the surreal submarine adventure series Sealab 2021, which aired from 2000 to 2005 and marked one of Adult Swim's earliest original productions, and the satirical superhero comedy Frisky Dingo, which ran from 2006 to 2008. These projects established 70/30 as a cornerstone of Adult Swim's early animated lineup, contributing to the block's reputation for irreverent humor. Following the end of Frisky Dingo, Reed and Thompson closed 70/30 Productions in 2009 to launch Floyd County Productions.[17][19][20]Floyd County Productions
Floyd County Productions was founded in 2009 by Adam Reed and his longtime collaborator Matt Thompson in Atlanta, Georgia, specifically to produce the animated series Archer for FX.[21] The studio emerged as a dedicated animation house following the closure of their previous venture, 70/30 Productions, and quickly established itself as a key player in adult animation.[21] Over the subsequent years, Floyd County Productions experienced significant expansion, growing from an initial team of eight artists to a staff exceeding 200 creatives, enabling it to handle the demands of long-running series production.[21] The company's facilities in Atlanta supported comprehensive in-house animation workflows, including storyboarding, voice recording, and post-production, which facilitated the consistent output of high-quality episodes for multiple seasons of Archer beginning in 2009. This growth positioned Floyd County as an Emmy Award-winning studio capable of managing complex projects in digital entertainment and live-action elements.[21] The studio has produced additional series such as Unsupervised (2012) and Hit-Monkey (2021–present), expanding beyond Archer. As of 2025, Floyd County Productions remains active in Atlanta, completing projects including season 2 of Hit-Monkey in 2024.[21]Key creations
Sealab 2021
Sealab 2021 is an American adult animated comedy series created by Adam Reed and Matt Thompson, which reimagined footage from the 1970s Hanna-Barbera educational cartoon Sealab 2020 through the addition of new, irreverent voice acting and sound design to depict a dysfunctional underwater research station crew.[16] The concept originated in 1995 when Reed and Thompson, then production assistants at Cartoon Network, discovered the unused Sealab 2020 tapes and experimented with overlaying absurd dialogue, leading to a pilot pitched in the late 1990s and greenlit for Adult Swim around 2000.[16] This low-budget approach, constrained to approximately $33,000 per episode, enforced the remix format while allowing for creative freedom in scripting workplace absurdities inspired by shows like NewsRadio.[16] The series premiered on December 21, 2000, as one of Adult Swim's inaugural original programs, with its first full season airing in September 2001. Reed played multifaceted roles in its production, serving as co-creator, writer for all 52 episodes, director for all episodes, and voice actor for characters including the intelligent dolphin Marco and various additional roles.[22][23] Produced under Reed and Thompson's 70/30 Productions, the show maintained a consistent surreal tone, featuring non-sequiturs, self-destructive antics, and pop culture references that escalated the original material's environmental themes into chaotic comedy.[16][2] Sealab 2021 ran for four seasons, concluding on April 25, 2005, after producing 52 episodes that showcased evolving ensemble dynamics, including the mid-series death of voice actor Harry Goz, who portrayed the bombastic Captain Murphy, prompting narrative adjustments.[24] The series received acclaim for its innovative use of archival footage to deliver "sheer inane magic" and mind-bending humor, earning a 79th ranking on IGN's 2009 list of the Top 100 Animated Series and 22nd on their 2013 Top 25 Animated Series for Adults.[25] Culturally, Sealab 2021 played a pivotal role in defining Adult Swim's early identity as a haven for countercultural, late-night animation, charming audiences with nostalgic yet subversive takes on 1970s tropes and influencing the block's pirate-like creative ethos.[16][25] Its blend of remixed absurdity and character-driven lunacy helped establish a template for experimental adult-oriented cartoons, resonating with viewers through episodes like "Fusebox," which relied solely on audio over static visuals to heighten the disorientation.[25]Frisky Dingo
Frisky Dingo is an American adult animated sitcom created by Adam Reed and Matt Thompson as a satirical take on superhero tropes and American politics, premiering on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block. The series follows Killface, a hoofed alien supervillain intent on destroying Earth by using his invention, the Annihilatrix, to hurl the planet into the Sun, and his reluctant nemesis Awesome X, the superhero persona of philandering billionaire Xander Crews. As the plot unfolds, Crews leverages his heroic image to launch a presidential campaign, leading to absurd clashes involving corporate machinations, family dynamics, and escalating doomsday schemes. Building on the success of Reed and Thompson's prior series Sealab 2021, Frisky Dingo shifted from remix-style humor to original scripting, emphasizing verbal wit and character-driven comedy.[26][27][28] Produced by 70/30 Productions, the show aired from October 16, 2006, to March 23, 2008, spanning two seasons and a total of 25 episodes, each approximately 11 minutes long. Adam Reed played a central role in its development, serving as co-creator, head writer, director, and voice actor for key characters including the bombastic Killface, whose Scottish-accented rants and paternal frustrations drive much of the narrative. The limited-animation style, featuring cutout designs and rapid-fire dialogue, allowed for efficient production while amplifying the chaotic energy of scenes like Killface's futile office supply battles or Crews' campaign blunders. Reed's multifaceted involvement ensured a cohesive vision, with episodes often blending high-concept satire—such as product placement in villainy—with grounded emotional beats.[27][20][26] Frisky Dingo garnered critical acclaim for its inventive humor, earning an 8.1/10 rating on IMDb from nearly 8,000 users and high marks from reviewers who praised its subversion of genre conventions. The New York Times highlighted its "light comic touch" on corporate absurdities and endearing villainy, while IGN awarded early episodes a 9/10, calling it one of television's most bizarre yet brilliantly funny shows. The series' legacy endures in adult animation, influencing later works through its pioneering use of overlapping conversations, tonal whiplash, and prescient political mockery, establishing Reed as a key innovator in the genre's evolution toward smarter, more irreverent storytelling.[27][26][29][30]Archer
Archer is an American adult animated spy comedy series created by Adam Reed, drawing inspiration from the James Bond franchise and other espionage genres, blended with workplace humor reminiscent of Arrested Development.[31] The show premiered on FX on September 17, 2009, centering on the dysfunctional International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS) and its self-absorbed agent Sterling Archer.[32] Reed served as the series' creator, primary writer, and executive producer, while also providing voices for characters such as analyst Ray Gillette and rival agent Barry Dylan in multiple episodes.[2][33] Produced by Floyd County Productions, the series evolved through bold stylistic reinventions, including the 1940s noir dreamscape of season 8 (Archer: Dreamland), where Archer's coma induces a hard-boiled detective narrative.[34] The show ran for 14 seasons and 145 episodes, concluding with the three-part finale special Into the Cold on December 17, 2023.[35] These shifts allowed exploration of genres like drug cartel intrigue and outer space adventures, maintaining a core of sharp wit and character-driven comedy.[36] Archer achieved critical acclaim for its writing and animation, earning an 8.6/10 rating on IMDb from over 173,000 users and consistent renewals due to strong viewership.[37]Later career
Retirement from Floyd County
In 2020, following the premiere of Archer's eleventh season, creator Adam Reed announced he was stepping back from his day-to-day involvement with the series, taking on a reduced role as writer after having already scaled back during season ten.[38] Although Reed considered fully retiring after season 10, he returned for seasons 11 through 14 to provide a proper conclusion to the series.[39] Despite his reduced hands-on role, Reed continued to serve as an executive producer on Archer through its fourteenth and final season, which concluded in December 2023, providing oversight and occasional contributions to ensure continuity in the show's voice and direction.[39] His limited involvement during these later seasons allowed the writing team, led by Casey Willis, to handle primary scripting duties, marking a gradual transition away from Reed's singular creative dominance on the series.[40] Reed cited creative fatigue after more than a decade of intensive work on Archer and prior projects as a primary reason for stepping back, expressing a desire to pursue personal interests such as motorcycling, which he has long enjoyed as a hobby outside his professional life.[39] This shift enabled him to reflect on his extensive contributions to adult animation while opening opportunities for the Archer team to evolve independently under Floyd County's continued production banner.[39]Post-2023 projects
Following the conclusion of Archer's 14th and final season in December 2023, Reed reflected on the series' journey in a Rolling Stone interview, describing the highs as the exceptional voice performances, particularly Jessica Walter's portrayal of Mallory Archer, and the lows as logistical challenges like renaming the agency from ISIS amid real-world events.[39] He highlighted favorite episodes such as "Placebo Effect" from season two for its emotional depth and "Lo Scandalo" from season three for its comedic pacing, while expressing satisfaction with the finale's resolution of Sterling Archer's coma arc as a fitting, introspective close.[41] In 2025, Reed made guest appearances on the RePhrasing: An Archer ReWatch Podcast, hosted by Amber Nash, discussing episodes including "The Man from Jupiter" (season 3, episode 4) in June and the pilot "Mole Hunt" (season 1, episode 1) in October.[42][43] As of November 2025, no major new creative projects have been announced. His post-retirement pursuits appear focused on personal interests, including motorcycling, as previously noted in profiles, though details remain scarce.[2]Filmography
Voice roles
Adam Reed has provided voice work for several animated series, primarily in projects he created or co-created, showcasing his versatile range through distinctive character impressions and supporting roles. His voice acting often overlaps with his writing and production duties, allowing him to shape performances integral to the shows' comedic tone.[2][9] In Frisky Dingo (2006–2008), Reed voiced multiple key characters, including the supervillain Killface, the superhero Xander Crews (also known as Awesome X), and the corporate antagonist Wendell Stamps, contributing to the series' satirical edge with his adept handling of exaggerated accents and personalities.[23][44][45] For Sealab 2021 (2000–2005), Reed took on occasional supporting roles, most notably as Dr. Ilad Virjay, an Indian-accented scientist, amid the show's chaotic underwater ensemble.[44][11] Reed's most prominent ongoing voice role came in Archer (2009–2023), where he portrayed the flamboyant intelligence agent Ray Gillette across all 14 seasons, along with minor characters such as Dr. Ilad Virjay (a recurring nod to his Sealab work), Bilbo, and various one-off impressions that highlighted his skill in Southern drawls, foreign dialects, and comedic timing.[3][23][46] Earlier in his career, during his time at Cartoon Network, Reed provided minor voice work in anthology blocks like High Noon Toons (1994–1995), voicing the puppet host Lil' Jo, a cowboy sidekick character that added whimsical narration to classic cartoons.[11] He also lent voices to brief roles in other Adult Swim projects, such as the shark in 12 oz. Mouse (2005).[23] Overall, Reed's voice portfolio includes over 10 distinct characters across approximately a dozen projects, emphasizing his impressionistic style that draws from pop culture and regional accents without overshadowing the ensemble casts.[23][47][48]Writing and production credits
Adam Reed is credited as the creator, writer, director, and executive producer for the Adult Swim series Sealab 2021 (2000–2005), where he contributed to all 52 episodes across four seasons.[49] His writing established the show's surreal, remixed-animation style, while his directing and producing roles oversaw the overall production at Williams Street.[49] For Frisky Dingo (2006–2008), Reed held the same multifaceted roles, writing, directing, and executive producing all 25 episodes over two seasons in collaboration with Matt Thompson.[50] This involvement extended to shaping the series' satirical narrative on politics and superheroes, with Reed's production oversight ensuring its limited-animation efficiency.[50] In Archer (2009–2023), Reed created the series and served as executive producer for all 14 seasons (145 episodes total), maintaining creative control through Floyd County Productions.[32] He wrote the majority of episodes for the first 10 seasons (approximately 100 episodes), often single-handedly, and directed the pilot along with several early episodes' voice-over sessions.[32][51] Later seasons shifted writing duties to a team led by Mark Ganek, though Reed remained involved in production until the series finale.[32]| Show | Role(s) | Episodes/Seasons Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Sealab 2021 | Writer, Director, Executive Producer | All 52 episodes (Seasons 1–4, 2000–2005) |
| Frisky Dingo | Writer, Director, Executive Producer | All 25 episodes (Seasons 1–2, 2006–2008) |
| Archer | Writer (primary Seasons 1–10), Director (select early episodes), Executive Producer | ~100 episodes written (Seasons 1–10); All 145 episodes produced (Seasons 1–14, 2009–2023) |
Awards and honors
Reed has received numerous nominations and one win for his work on Archer.Primetime Emmy Awards
- Winner: Outstanding Animated Program (2016) – for Archer (Season 7: "The Figgis Agency")[52]
- Nominee: Outstanding Animated Program (2017) – for Archer (Season 8: "Dreamland")[53]
Annie Awards
- Nominee: Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production (2018) – for Archer[52]
