Name: Family Guy: Season 1, Episode 1 - Death Has a Shadow
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Released: 1999-01-31
Rating: 5.7

SummarySick, twisted, politically incorrect and freakin' sweet. The animated series features the adventures of the Griffin family. Peter and Lois have three kids - the youngest is a brilliant, sadistic baby bent on killing his mother and world domination. Chris, like his father, is obese, has a low IQ and no common sense. Meg desperately tries to be par... Read More

Directed By:Peter Shin, Roy Allen Smith

Written By:Seth MacFarlane, David Zuckerman, Mike Henry

❮ Family Guy

S1 • Episode 1

Death Has a Shadow

Air Date:

Jan 31, 1999

User score

Mixed or Average

Based on 25 User Ratings

5.7

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Episode 1 • Jan 31, 1999 • 30 m

Death Has a Shadow

After drinking too much at a stag party and falling asleep at work, Peter loses his job, signs up for welfare, and gets more money than expected.

Episode 2 • Apr 11, 1999 • 23 m

I Never Met the Dead Man

Peter goes into shock after he disables the entire Quahog cable system while giving Meg driving lessons; Stewie plots to rid the world of broccoli.

Episode 3 • Apr 18, 1999 • 30 m

Chitty Chitty Death Bang

Peter tries to make the best of a bad situation after he ruins Lois's plans for Stewie's birthday party; Meg's new friend tries to recruit her into a cult.

Episode 4 • Apr 25, 1999 • 23 m

Mind Over Murder

Under house arrest, Peter transforms the basement into a bar, where Lois' singing becomes the main attraction.

Episode 5 • May 2, 1999 • 30 m

A Hero Sits Next Door

Peter becomes very jealous, when his handi-capable new neighbor turns out to be the new star player on the toy company's softball team.

Episode 6 • May 9, 1999 • 22 m

The Son Also Draws

A chance encounter with a prune smoothie puts in motion a series of events that ultimately allows Peter to accept Chris' artistic side.

Episode 7 • May 16, 1999 • 22 m

Brian: Portrait of a Dog

Brian's life is on the line after he refuses to be treated like a dog.

Seth MacFarlanePeter Griffin, Stewie Griffin, Brian Griffin

Alex BorsteinLois Griffin, Tricia Takanawa, Barbara Pewterschmidt

Seth GreenChris Griffin, Neil Goldman, Additional Voices

Mila KunisMeg Griffin, Bank Teller, Elizabeth

Mike HenryCleveland Brown, Bruce the Performance Artist, John Herbert

John VienerTV Announcer, Announcer, Emcee

Patrick WarburtonJoe Swanson, Boggs, Colonial Joe

Danny SmithTV Announcer, Ernie the Giant Chicken, Jim Kaplan

Ralph GarmanDoctor, Waiter, Husband

Alec SulkinJesus Christ, Man, Jewish Man

Rachael MacFarlaneMiss Tammy, Barbara, Nurse, Olivia Fuller, Student, Waitress, Woman, Cashier, Cheerleader, Fangirl, Girl in Commercial, Lady, Mother, Prostitute, Reporter, Secretary, Siri, Stewardess, 1920s Woman, 911 Operator, Adoption Fair Mother, Airport Checking Girl, Alexa, Amber, Amelia Bedelia, Anal Point Girls, Animatronic Irish Woman, Answering Machine, April, Audrey Hepburn, Baby Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Beauty Academy Secretary, Becky, Betsy, Beverly, Black Widow, Blonde Sitcom Mom, Bo Peep, Booze Cruiser, Brandy, Brian's Fan, British Woman, Britney Spears, Bunny Girls, Carol, Carrie, Catherine the Great, Celia, Charlotte Bronte, Cheerleader #3, Club Girl, College Girl, Commercial Narrator, Crystal Duffy, Decapitating Nun, Demagorgon's Wife, Dognapper, Dorothy Gale, Drone, Drug Den Announcer, Emma Stone, Farting Women, Female Bat, Female Mouse, Firehouse Girl, Flight Attendant, Focus Group Tester, Fran, Frances, French Woman, Front Desk Clerk, Future Quahog Mother, Girl, Girl #2 in Commercial, Girl #3, Girl Jumping From the Tree, Girlfriend, Grady Girls, Green Shirt Shopper, Heather, Helen Hunt, Hudson Comics Shopkeeper, Human Resources Manager, Ivanka Trump, Jacqueline, Jaimee, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jane Austen, Jane Fonda, Jayna, Jennifer, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jennifer Schnozz, Jill, Joan of Arc, Jolly Farm Revue Marathon Announcer, Kate, Kate Moss, Katie, Katie Couric, Kim Kardashian's Friend, Kitchen House Narrator, Liza Judy Barbra, Lois Lane, Luke's Wife, Mad Men Producer, Madonna, Maid, Maid Madelaine, Mall Shopper, Marie Osmond, Marina Oswald, Mary Steenburgen, Mayor West's Secretary, Meat Customer, Meg Griffin, Meg's Friend, Minnie Mouse, Mom, Mom Group Leader, Monica, Mother of Young Boy, Mrs. Friendston, Mrs. Hollander, Mummy Pig, Newport Heiress, Norwegian Girlfriend, Paula's Friend #2, Peaches, Pilates Woman, Pizza Patron, Porsche Cayenne Driver, Pregnant Woman, Professor Knockers, Protester, Quagmire's Mistress, R, Rape Victim, Rich Lady, Rioter, Roller Derby Girl, Room Service, Roxane, Sandy Olsson, Sarah, Sarah Koenig, Savannah Guthrie, School Board Woman, Shelley Duvall, Shelly's Neighbor, Shopper #1, Sonja, Spirit Airlines Announcer, Stewie's Mistress, Stripper, Tanya, Tatum, Teacher, Teenage Girl, TikTok Voice, Time Machine, Timmy, Veterinarian Nurse, Vivian, Wanda, Watchwinner Child, Wife, Willie Scott, Woman in Hell, Woman in Lab Coat, Woman in Movie, Woman in Restaurant, Woman on Plane, Young Tracy Flannigan

Kevin Michael RichardsonJerome, Cleveland Brown Jr., Bill Cosby, Bouncer, Drill Sergeant, African Warlord, Alex Rieger, Announcer, Arby's Announcer, Baseball Player, Bear, Black Guy, Black Jesus, Black King, Black Professor, Black To The Future Narrator, Black the Waterbear, Bouncer in Peter's Stomach, Bronson, CIA Director, Charles Barkley, Chris Griffin on Mushrooms, Clarence Thomas, Dad, Daddy Pig, David Ortiz, Dognapper's Accomplice, Doug the Pimple, Dr. Diddy, FBI Agent, Fat Man, Florida Evans, Football Player, Giant Chicken #2, Harvard President, Hijacker, Howard Cunningham, Jack Skellington, Jacqueline, Jim Crow from 'Dumbo', John Sanford, Kryptonian Council, League Member #2, Man, Marvin Gaye, Mean Joe, Military Man, Molten Man, Mr. Plimpton, Peabo Bryson, Pirate, Police Officer, Rapper, Rerun, Roadblock, Rodney King, Scotty Pippin, Sebastian, Security Guard, Snoop Dogg, Stewie I'Like, Strong Black Man, Sudanese Men, Sun, Tanned Old Man, Tom Arnold, Tracy Morgan, Tyrone

Chris CoxGeorge W. Bush, Man, Ross Fishman, Student, AA Member, Abraham Lincoln, Abrams, Additional Voices, Angry Mob Man, Assistant Worker, Bachelor Show Announcer, Bald Guy #3, Ben Fishman, Best Man, Brett Kavanaugh, Cashier, Charlie Brown, Clark, Cop #2, Crowd, Disfigured WW2 Veteran, Door Guard, Facility Worker, Fat Boy #1, Ferris Bueller, Focus Group Tester, Football Player, Gay the Waterbear, Gerald, Guy Dressed as Ace Frehley, Hayden Christensen, Higgins, Husband, Jeff Campbell, Jerry's Friend, Jim, Jock, Jonathan Higgins, Jouster #2, Justin Timberlake, Kent Lastname, Kevin Connolly, Kid #1, Kindergartener, Kirk Cameron, Kyle, Magnum P.I., Mailman, Man #3, Man at Party, Man on the Street, Mark, Melvin Udall, Midget Husband, Mike, Operator, Otis, Paparazzis, Passerby, Peck Kid #1, Peter's Customer, Priest, Randy Fulcher, Robert, Rudolph, Salesman, Seafood Customer, Sears Employee, Soldier #3, Suicidal Man, Surgeon, TV Announcer, Taxi Driver, Tea Party Member, Vaper, Waiter

Adam WestMayor Adam West, Mayor Adam West as Grand Moff Tarkin, Ace Merrill, Adam West (live action), Batman, Fairy Godmother

Steve CallaghanStudent #3, Audience Member, Customer, Audience Member #3, Cop, Customer #3, Dad, Employee, Guest #3, Kid #3, Partygoer #3, Waiter, Wedding Guest #3, 1960s Executive, AA Member, Audience Member #2, Audience Member #4, Barista, Blue Man, Bowling Alley Employee, Brewery Employee #1, Christian Guy in Audience, Churchgoer, Classmate #3, Co-Worker at Meeting, College Student, Counselor, Crossing Guard, Crowd Member #3, Cruise Ship Passenger, Cruise Ship Passenger #3, Customer #1, Customer #2, Delivery Man, Deputy Mayor, Diner #3, DirecTV Announcer, Distinguished Man #1, Drive-Thru Attendant, Edison's Assistant, Elf, Emcee, Employee #3, Excited Congregant, Executive, Family Feud Contestant, Fan #3, Fantasy Baseball Participant #4, Fast Food Cashier, Fast Food Employee #2, Fast Food Worker, Father, Follower, Football Player #2, Friend, Gallery Viewer #3, German General #1, Giraffe #2, Grocery Store Employee, Guard #3, Guy #2, Guy on Raft, Head Executive, Imperial Controller, Improv Performer, Isaac, James Dean, Kid, Kid #2, Liberal #3, Male Customer, Male Passenger, Male TSA Worker #2, Man, Man #2, Man #3, Man Across Street, Man Walking By, Man in Car, Milo, Mr. Andy, Nervous Writer, Onlooker #3, Other Horse #3, Other Peter Griffin, Parent #3, Parent of Distracted Kid, Party Guest #3, Patient, Peter's Customer #1, Pilot, Pontius Pilate, Prince, Protestor, Quahog Citizen #1, Raccoon, Rebel Soldier, Reporter, Ride Attendant, Rioter #3, Royal Guard, Skinhead Father, Smitty, Son, Sonny the Cocoa Puffs Bird, Stage Manager, Stagehand, Steve, Student, Super Fan #3, Supermarket Employee #2, Sweater, Target Employee, Teacher Jeremy, Technician, Teen #3, Third Man, Tour Guide, Tourist Dad, Towel, Usher, Victim

Josh Robert ThompsonMorgan Freeman, Donald Trump, Kevin James, Tommy Lee Jones, Aaron Sorkin, Alan Thicke, Andrew Cuomo, Aziz Ansari, Boiling Pot, Charles Dickens, Charlie's Friend, Christoph Waltz, Craig Kilborn, Danny McBride, Dennis Franz, Dennis Quaid, Doggie Daddy, Don Imus, Drew Carey, Elf, Fonzie, Garrison Keillor, Heckler, James Taylor, Joe Biden, Joey Lawrence, John Davidson, John Mayer, Josh Robert Thompson, Justin Trudeau, Kevin Costner, Mark Ruffalo, Michael McDonald, Patrick Swayze, Paul McCartney, Red Cloak, Red Redding, Samuel Alito, Scott Baio, Sean Hannity, Space Dog, Stanley Tucci, Star #1, Steven Tyler, Stewie's Robots, Swift Songwriter, Ted Williams, The Great Sebastian, Thomas Edison, Tim Robbins, Tom Brady, Tom Selleck, Willie Nelson

Jennifer TillyBonnie Swanson

Gary ColePrincipal Shepherd, Mike Brady, Michael Eisner, Security Guard, Agent Jessup, Bartender, Bill Lumbergh, Billy's Father, Chairman, Charles, Coach, Cop, Dean Wagner, Dr. Franklin, Dr. McKenzie, Father O'Leary, Gambler Bob, Jack, James 'Grizzly' Adams, Jerry Nelson, NCIS Fan, Optometrist, Priest, Slobodan Milošević, Thug #1, Various, Warren Fredericks

Fred TatascioreHarvey Weinstein, John Goodman, Michael Eisner, Police Officer, Additional Voices, Airport Clerk, Alligator, Arnold Palmer, Asian Announcer, Audible.com Announcer, Augustine Washington, Bachelor #1, Bartender, Bieber's Bodyguard, Billy Joel, Buffalo Bill, Buisnessman, Carstairs, Catholic Priest, Chevy Chase, Construction Worker, Country Singer the Waterbear, Craig Hoffman, Crew Member, Decepticon, Delivery Man, Dennis Franz, Dick's Sporting Goods Manager, Dickens's Editor, Domino's Deliveryman, Dragon, Drunk Denny's Patron, Electrician, Etienne, Fasial's Father, Firefighter, Focus Group Tester, Fonzie, Football Player, Franklin D. Roosevelt, French Assistant, Fruit Stall Manager, Gavin MacLeod, Grinder Guy, Grocery Store Manager, Guy Friend, Hijacker, Hulk, Inmate, Italian Barber, Italian Guy, James Evans, Sr., Japanese Man, Jerry, Jewish Gymnast, Johhny Wind Chimes, John Madden, Joseph, Judge, Karl Malden, Kathleen Turner, Kidnapper #2, Kraken, Lamp Store Owner, Librarian, Lou Ferrigno, Major Awesome, Man at Podium, Mark Twain, Mega Hardware Sale's Associate, Mr. Greenberg, No Dogs Allowed Voiceover, Officer, Old Century Teacher, Old Man, Oliver Platt, Orson Welles, Outro Narrator, Parker Fennelly, Party Guest, Peter's Customer #2, Police Dispatch, Prison Guard, Quahog Concert Hall Announcer, Quahog Pharmacy Manager, Randy Savage, Rich Man #1, Roach #2, Rock, Roller Derby Coach, Russian Astronaut, Schmidtty, Scott, Shirt.Gov singer, Swift Songwriter, TV Announcer, Ted Lawson, The A-Team Narrator, The Monster, Thomas Edison, Tony, Undecided Voter, Water Park Dad, Wind Chimer, Yoda

John G. BrennanMort Goldman, Horace, Mort Goldman as Lando Calrissian, Bill Gates, Colonial Mort, Cousin Goldman, Mort Goldman as Innkeeper, Mort Goldman as Jawa, Mort Goldman as Troll, Scott, TV Announcer #2, Zima Bottle

User Reviews

View All

User score

Mixed or Average

Based on 25 User Ratings

5.7

60% Positive
15 Ratings

8% Mixed
2 Ratings

32% Negative
8 Ratings

Sep 24, 2025

johanningi1991

A decent start with some funny gags and a glimpse of the show’s potential, though the rough animation and uneven jokes keep it from being great.

Apr 20, 2025

johannultimate

"Death Has a Shadow" is a strong pilot in spirit if not in polish. It introduces the Griffins with enough energy, weirdness, and irreverence to make you curious for more. It’s not peak Family Guy, but it’s a bold first step with some real laughs.

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