Matt Groening

Groening in 2013, photo by Prphotos.com

Birth Name: Matthew Abram Groening

Place of Birth: Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Date of Birth: February 15, 1954

Ethnicity:
*father – German/Volga German
*mother – Norweigan

Matt Groening is an American cartoonist, writer, producer, animator, and voice actor. He is the creator of the television series The Simpsons and Futurama. He co-developed The Simpsons with James L. Brooks and Sam Simon.

Matt is the son of Margaret Ruth (Wiggum) and Homer Philip Groening. He borrowed both of their first names for characters in The Simpsons, together with his siblings’ names; Lisa, Margaret (Maggie) and Patricia (Patty) Groening, as well as Homer’s father’s name, Abram (Abraham in The Simpsons). Margaret’s maiden name became the surname of police chief Clancy Wiggum.

His father was of German/Volga German descent. His maternal grandparents were Norwegian immigrants, who met on a boat on the way to the United States.

Matt is married to Argentine artist Agustina Picasso. He has two children with his former wife Deborah Caplan; and seven children with Agustina.

Matt’s paternal grandfather was Abram Arthur Groening (the son of Abraham Groening and Aganetha Klaassen). Matt’s grandfather Abram was born in Hillsboro, Kansas. Matt’s great-grandfather Abraham was born in Russia, of Volga German descent, the son of Franz Groening and Katharina Loewen. Aganetha was also an ethnic German, born in Russia, the daughter of Abraham Klaassen and Helena Martens.

Matt’s paternal grandmother was Elizabeth “Lizzie” W. Nickel (the daughter of Jacob Nickel and Helena Weins). Matt’s grandmother Elizabeth was born in Fjedrovka, Russia, and was of ethnic German descent.

Matt’s maternal grandfather was Mathias/Matt Pedersson Veggum (the son of Peder Christensen Veggum and Mari Olsdatter Kvalen). Matt’s grandfather Mathias was born in Oppland, Norway. Matt’s great-grandfather Peder was born in Sel, Oppland, the son of Christen Olsson Mæhlum/Veggum and Anne Olsdatter Mæhlum. Mari was born in Skåbu, Nord-Fron, Oppland, the daughter of Ole Nilsen Kvålen and Gullaug Amundsdatter Rusten.

Matt’s maternal grandmother was Ingeborg Andreasdatter Vistnes (the daughter of Andreas Olsen Bø/Vistnes and Rakel Jacobsdatter Jakobsdotter). Ingeborg was born in Randaberg, Rogaland, Norway. Andreas was born in Rogaland, the son of Ola Olsson Ytre Bø and Ingeborg Margrete Tjerandsdatter Goa. Rakel was born in Tysvær, Rogaland, the daughter of Anders Rasmusson Vistnes and Anna Marta Olsdatter Høvring.

Sources: Genealogy of Matt Groening – http://www.geni.com

Matt’s father’s family history – http://www.krausehouse.ca

Obituary of Matt’s mother – http://obits.oregonlive.com