Hubbry Logo
Wellesley WildWellesley WildMain
Open search
Wellesley Wild
Community hub
Wellesley Wild
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Wellesley Wild
Wellesley Wild
Wellesley Wild
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Henry Wellesley Wild (born April 27, 1972) is an American screenwriter, producer, and voice actor. He is best known for writing and producing several episodes of the animated series Family Guy and for being the developer of the 2020 revival of Animaniacs. He was a former executive producer and an occasional voice actor for the former.

Key Information

Wild attended Westminster School, a Founders League prep school located in Simsbury, Connecticut. Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane also attended another Founders League school, the Kent School in Kent, Connecticut. Wild also wrote for The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn during the show's first year.[3]

Career

[edit]

Wild joined Family Guy in 2005, and has since written and produced multiple episodes, including:

In August 2010, Wild and his writing partner Alec Sulkin signed a three-year pact with 20th Century Fox TV.[4] The two will continue working on Family Guy and will develop their own television series.[5] Discussing whether the new series would be a live action or an animation, Wild said, "We've been throwing around both ideas."[6] Their joint production, Dads premiered on September 17, 2013.

He co-wrote the 2012 film Ted with Sulkin and MacFarlane, and also wrote the 2014 film A Million Ways to Die in the West and Ted 2 (2015). He served as co-executive producer along with MacFarlane for MacFarlane's show, The Orville. Wild was also the showrunner for the revival of Animaniacs, which premiered on Hulu in 2020.[7]

Family

[edit]

Through his English paternal grandfather Wellesley is a descendant of both Edward I (Longshanks) King of England (1272-1307) and Richard Colley Wellesley, 1st Marquess, brother of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.

Wild is also related to former CIA Director Porter Goss.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Wellesley Wild

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Henry Wellesley Wild (born April 27, 1972) is an American screenwriter, producer, and voice actor best known for his contributions to animated television series, including writing and producing episodes of and serving as showrunner for the revival. Wild began his prominent career as a writer and producer on , the long-running Fox created by , where he contributed to multiple seasons starting in 2005. His work on the series earned him recognition for blending sharp humor with character-driven storytelling in . In addition to , Wild co-executive produced episodes of , MacFarlane's live-action sci-fi comedy series on . Expanding into feature films, Wild co-wrote and produced projects under MacFarlane's banner, including the comedies Ted (2012), Ted 2 (2015), and A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014), which collectively grossed over $700 million worldwide and highlighted his expertise in raunchy, satirical narratives. In 2018, he was appointed showrunner and executive producer for the Animaniacs reboot on Hulu, a collaboration between Warner Bros. Animation and Amblin Television, which ran for three seasons from 2020 to 2023 and updated the classic 1990s series with modern cultural references while preserving its zany style. In 2020, Wild signed an exclusive multi-year overall deal with Warner Bros. Animation, marking the studio's first such agreement with a producer, under which he develops and produces animated content for various audiences across platforms, including potential live-action elements through the Warner Bros. Television group. This deal underscores his versatility in animation production and his ongoing collaboration with major studios in the industry.

Early life and education

Birth and family

Henry Wellesley Wild was born on April 27, 1972, in , New York, . Public information on Wild's immediate family remains limited, with no widely available details on his parents or siblings. His family has ties to , where his father, also named Henry Wellesley Wild, was associated with the Scovill Manufacturing Company. No documented connections to the arts or entertainment industry appear in his family's background.

Childhood and schooling

Wild was raised in Waterbury, Connecticut, where he spent his early childhood in the 1970s and 1980s. Details about his upbringing in this industrial city, known for its brass manufacturing heritage and working-class communities during that era, remain limited in public records, with no documented accounts of specific family influences or early relocations beyond his local residence. Wild attended , a private preparatory institution in , as part of the of independent schools. This boarding school education, spanning his high school years, provided a rigorous academic environment focused on liberal arts and character development, though specific details about his coursework, extracurriculars, or performance there are not publicly available. No confirmed records exist of higher education, such as or attendance, following his time at Westminster.

Career

Early work in television

Wellesley Wild began his professional career in television as a writer for The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn during its inaugural year on CBS in 1999. In this role, he contributed to the show's comedic sketches and monologues, honing his skills in quick-witted, topical humor under host Craig Kilborn, who had transitioned from ESPN's SportsCenter. This late-night variety format provided Wild with foundational experience in scriptwriting for live broadcast television, emphasizing timing and audience engagement in a high-pressure environment. Following his stint on The Late Late Show, Wild co-wrote the teleplay for the episode "Squarewolves" of the short-lived Fox sitcom The Pitts in 2003. The Pitts, a quirky comedy about a family with superpowered children, was produced by a team including writers from The Simpsons, reflecting the era's growing crossover between live-action sitcoms and fantastical elements that would later influence animated programming. Though the series lasted only seven episodes due to low ratings, Wild's involvement marked his early foray into narrative comedy scripting for primetime network TV, collaborating with future Family Guy colleagues like Alec Sulkin. These initial roles positioned Wild within the competitive landscape of early 2000s television writing, where the rise of irreverent, adult-oriented comedy—fueled by shows like The Simpsons and emerging animated series—created opportunities for versatile writers to transition from late-night and sitcom formats. Prior to his credited work, details on uncredited contributions remain scarce, but Wild's path through these gigs built the comedic foundation that led to his entry into animated television by 2005.

Role on Family Guy

Wellesley Wild joined the writing staff of in 2005, coinciding with the show's revival on after its initial cancellation. His debut contributions included co-writing "Petarded" (Season 4, Episode 6), in which is declared legally mentally retarded following a appearance, leading to chaotic family dynamics, and "PTV" (Season 4, Episode 14), where the Griffins launch an uncensored TV network in response to FCC regulations on broadcast content. These episodes showcased Wild's affinity for the series' satirical edge, blending personal absurdities with broader cultural critiques. Wild's role expanded rapidly into production, beginning as co-producer for Season 4 (2005–2006) and advancing to supervising producer for Seasons 5–7 (2006–2009). He later rose to , holding the position through Seasons 8–17 (2009–2019), overseeing the show's creative direction during a period of sustained popularity and Emmy nominations for outstanding comedy series. Among his notable writing credits are "" (Season 4, Episode 26), a haunted-house parody drawing on ; "" (Season 5, Episode 4), satirizing underground fighting rings and health fears; "McStroke" (Season 6, Episode 5), which lampoons fast-food addiction through Peter's ; and "" (Season 8, Episode 1), an installment featuring interdimensional travel that incorporates numerous pop culture homages, from Disney-style to Japanese aesthetics. During his tenure on , Wild co-created the Fox sitcom Dads (2013–2014) with , serving as executive producer for the series about two developers whose lives are upended when their fathers move in with them. In addition to writing and producing, Wild occasionally contributed in minor roles, such as a patient in "Be Careful What You Fish For" (Season 10, Episode 5), and provided lyrics for musical segments like "The FCC Song" in "PTV." His efforts helped preserve 's core comedic formula of rapid-fire cutaway gags and timely pop culture references amid evolving network standards post-2005. Wild departed the series in 2018 to develop new projects, including the revival for .

Feature film writing

Wellesley Wild transitioned from television writing to feature films through his long-standing collaboration with , adapting the irreverent humor developed on to the big screen format. Between 2012 and 2015, Wild co-wrote three comedies directed by and starring MacFarlane, emphasizing character-driven , pop culture references, and boundary-pushing dialogue. Wild's first major feature credit was co-writing Ted (2012), a raunchy comedy about a Boston man whose childhood wish brings his teddy bear to life as a foul-mouthed adult companion voiced by MacFarlane. Along with MacFarlane and , Wild contributed to the screenplay, which expanded the central premise into a exploring themes of and enduring friendship amid escalating chaos. The film achieved significant commercial success, grossing $549 million worldwide on a $50 million budget, marking it as the highest-grossing original R-rated at the time. In 2014, Wild co-wrote A Million Ways to Die in the West, a Western parody set in 1880s , where MacFarlane plays a timid sheep farmer confronting the perils of frontier life and a romance with a portrayed by . The screenplay, again with MacFarlane and Sulkin, incorporated historical inaccuracies for comedic effect, including sight gags on everyday dangers like snakebites and gunfights, while weaving in celebrity cameos to heighten the satirical tone. Critically, the film received mixed reviews, earning a 33% approval rating on based on 211 critic scores, with praise for its but criticism for uneven pacing. Wild participated in promotional efforts, including a discussing the script's development and cast dynamics. Wild returned for the sequel (2015), co-writing the screenplay that shifted the narrative to the teddy bear's legal battle for after marrying and seeking to adopt a child, introducing themes of civil rights alongside the series' signature crude humor. The plot expanded on the original's world-building with courtroom antics and celebrity cameos, such as , while maintaining the profane banter between Ted and his human friend, played by . In behind-the-scenes comments, Wild noted the writing team's focus on originality to avoid repeating the first film's formula, involving multiple revisions to integrate fresh satirical elements like critiques of corporate greed.

Later television projects

Following his departure from Family Guy in 2018, Wellesley Wild expanded his television work into showrunning and executive production roles. In January 2018, Wild was appointed showrunner and executive producer for the Animaniacs reboot on Hulu, a collaboration between Warner Bros. Animation and Amblin Television. Overseeing the production of the three-season series (2020–2023), he guided efforts to modernize the original 1990s sketches by updating character designs, incorporating contemporary cultural references, and addressing outdated elements to suit modern audiences while retaining the show's signature chaotic humor. Wild also contributed to (2017–present), Seth MacFarlane's sci-fi comedy series, where he served as co-executive producer for 13 episodes in seasons 1 and 2 (2017–2019) and wrote the season 2 episode "Primal Urges," blending episodic storytelling with character-driven humor in a live-action format. In February 2020, Wild entered an exclusive multi-year overall deal with , positioning him to develop original animated content for the studio. This agreement built on his tenure and facilitated his evolution from writer to in collaborative ensemble environments. Under the 2020 deal with , Wild is positioned to develop and produce animated content, building on his work with the studio on .

Filmography

Television episodes and production

Wellesley Wild began his television career with writing credits on the short-lived series in 2003, where he contributed the teleplay for the episode "Just the Girl" (season 1, episode 3). He also provided special material for the broadcast in 2013. Wild's most extensive television contributions are with , where he joined in 2005 as a co-producer for season 4 and advanced to supervising producer for seasons 5 through 7 (2006–2009). He later served as from seasons 9 through 12 (2011–2015) and continued in producing roles through season 17 (2019), contributing to over 100 episodes overall. Wild wrote 14 episodes across 10 seasons, often focusing on satirical and character-driven stories. Key writing credits include:
SeasonEpisodeTitleAir Date
46"Petarded"June 19, 2005
414"PTV" (co-written with )November 6, 2005
426""May 7, 2006
57""November 26, 2006
68"McStroke"November 18, 2007
612"Long John Peter"May 4, 2008
716""May 17, 2009
81"" (co-written with Andrew Goldberg)September 27, 2009
1011"Dial Meg for Murder"February 20, 2012
1114"The Heartbreak Dog"March 17, 2013
1221"Chap Stewie"May 4, 2014
141"P.S. I Love You", 2015
1510"Hefty ", 2017
1711"Trump Guy", 2019
Additionally, Wild provided voice acting for 15 episodes of Family Guy from 2008 to 2019, including minor roles such as patients and executives. For The Orville (2017–2019), Wild served as co-executive producer for 13 episodes across seasons 1 and 2. He wrote one episode, "Primal Urges" (season 2, episode 2, aired February 21, 2018), which explored themes of addiction and personal growth aboard the ship. Wild developed and served as showrunner and executive producer for the Animaniacs reboot (2020–2023), overseeing all three seasons on Hulu with a total of 33 episodes. He contributed teleplays to select episodes, such as "Pinko and the Brain" (season 1, episode 4, 2020, co-written with Kathleen Chen and Brian Polk), and provided voice work for characters including Manny and Right Side Man in season 1. In the Seth MacFarlane universe, Wild co-created the live-action comedy Dads (2013–2014), serving as a for its 18-episode run on . He also appeared in the TV special Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show (2009) as a writer and performer.

Film credits

Wellesley Wild has contributed to several feature films primarily as a co-writer, with additional production and acting roles in select projects, all directed by . His writing credits include co-writing the screenplay for Ted (2012), alongside Seth MacFarlane and Alec Sulkin. In this comedy film, Wild helped develop the story of a man's enduring friendship with his foul-mouthed teddy bear come to life. Wild also co-wrote A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014), again with MacFarlane and Sulkin, contributing to the film's satirical take on the Western genre. He served as a producer on this project. For (2015), Wild co-wrote the screenplay with MacFarlane and Sulkin, expanding the franchise's narrative around the teddy bear's quest for civil rights. He additionally acted in a cameo role as a and served as .
YearTitleRole(s)Director
2012TedCo-writer
2014A Million Ways to Die in the WestCo-writer, Producer
2015Co-writer, Executive Producer, Actor ()

Awards and nominations

Primetime Emmy Awards

Wellesley Wild received three nominations for his work on , as a supervising producer and during the . These nominations highlight the show's critical acclaim during his tenure, though none resulted in a win, reflecting the competitive nature of the categories and the collaborative team efforts involved. In 2009, Wild was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series as a supervising producer, shared with the production team that included executive producers and , as well as fellow supervising producers , Mike Henry, and , and producers like Steve Callaghan and Kirker Butler. This marked the first nomination in the category for an animated series since in 1961, underscoring 's breakthrough recognition amid its resurgence on . The award ultimately went to . In 2008, Wild earned a in the Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or More) category for the special episode "," a Star Wars parody produced in association with and Fox Television Animation Studios, with key team members including executive producer and producer ; the winner was 's "Imaginationland." In 2006, Wild received a nomination for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour) for the episode "PTV," credited as a writer alongside producers like Vallow, animation producer Shannon Smith, and directors Dominic Polcino and Peter Shin; this category was awarded to The Simpsons episode "The Seemingly Never-Ending Story." These honors emphasized Family Guy's versatility in animation formats during Wild's involvement, which spanned writing and production oversight for multiple seasons.

Other industry recognition

In 2020, Wellesley Wild secured an exclusive multi-year overall deal with , representing the studio's first major pact with a veteran writer-producer from . This agreement enables Wild to develop, write, and produce original animated content for adult, kids, and family audiences across Warner Bros.' various platforms, underscoring his established reputation in comedy animation. Wild's selection as showrunner for the Animaniacs reboot in 2018 drew significant attention from industry outlets, including Deadline and Variety, which praised his track record in revitalizing classic animated properties for modern audiences. As a longtime member of the Television Academy, Wild has contributed to the broader animation sector by mentoring emerging writers and producers through his leadership on ensemble projects. Wild's tenure on Family Guy aligned with the series' multiple team-based Annie Award nominations for outstanding achievement in writing and animation production during the 2000s and 2010s, highlighting the collaborative impact of his contributions to animated television.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1273397/
  2. https://tv.apple.com/us/person/wellesley-wild/umc.cpc.3oc5xx165iwy5vvgq0niulp2q
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6951546/
  4. https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/wellesley-wild-warner-bros-animation-overall-deal-1203494069/
  5. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/wellesley_wild
  6. https://deadline.com/2018/01/animaniacs-wellesley-wild-showrunner-series-reboot-at-hulu-1202248472/
  7. https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/animaniacs-reboot-hulu-wellesley-wild-gabe-swarr-1234836470/
  8. https://deadline.com/2020/02/family-guys-wellesley-wild-overall-deal-warner-bros-animation-1202852307/
  9. https://www.nytimes.com/1951/05/27/archives/miss-mary-g-wild-a-connecticut-bride.html
  10. https://www.ctinsider.com/obituaries/article/ms-mary-wild-molinari-20093172.php
  11. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0192906/fullcredits/
  12. https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-wellesley-wild-beverly-hills-post-office-home-20190524-story.html
  13. https://variety.com/2010/tv/news/fox-adopts-family-guys-1118022851/
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338647/fullcredits/
  15. https://deadline.com/2010/08/20th-century-fox-tv-signs-overall-deals-with-2-family-guy-executive-producers-60996/
  16. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/wellesley-wild/credits/3000109340/
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0576956/
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0576954/
  19. http://tviv.org/Wellesley_Wild
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2647548/
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2040790/
  22. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2018/01/family-guy-alum-wellesley-wild-tapped-as-animaniacs-showrunner/
  23. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/ted-2-premiere-team-talks-805073/
  24. https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/ted-2-film-review-1201526426/
  25. https://www.foxflash.com/shows/family-guy/bio/alec-sulkin
  26. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2255848961/
  27. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_million_ways_to_die_in_the_west
  28. https://screenrant.com/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-cast-characters-cameos/
  29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMaGSALJxDQ
  30. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/warner-bros-animation-inks-first-deal-family-guy-veteran-1276550/
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0182576/fullcredits/
  32. https://orville.fandom.com/wiki/Primal_Urges
  33. https://superlogoscredits.fandom.com/wiki/Animaniacs:_Gold_Meddlers/Pinko_and_the_Brain/Math-Terpiece_Theater:_Apples/Credits
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1532515/fullcredits/
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1637725/fullcredits
  36. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2557490/fullcredits
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2637276/fullcredits
  38. https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/wellesley-wild
  39. https://www.televisionacademy.com/shows/family-guy
  40. https://www.televisionacademy.com/awards/nominees-winners/2009/outstanding-comedy-series
  41. https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/family-guy-smashes-emmy-barrier-for-cartoons-idUSTRE56G15O/
  42. https://www.televisionacademy.com/awards/nominees-winners/2008/outstanding-animated-program
  43. https://variety.com/2008/scene/awards/creative-arts-nominees-1117990090/
  44. https://www.televisionacademy.com/awards/nominees-winners/2006/outstanding-animated-program
  45. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1273397/awards/
  46. https://annieawards.org/legacy/42nd-annie-awards
  47. https://annieawards.org/legacy/34th-annie-awards
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.