If you’ve ever wondered whether the guy who voices a dorky teenager on American Dad! is the same actor who fought through World War II in Band of Brothers, the answer is yes. Scott Grimes has quietly built a decades-long career that spans dramatic live-action roles, comedy voice work, and a surprisingly deep music catalog. Here’s what you need to know about the actor, singer, and voice behind some of TV’s most recognizable characters.
Born: July 9, 1971, Lowell, Massachusetts · Profession: Actor and singer · Known for: Steve Smith (American Dad!), Kevin Swanson (Family Guy), Gordon Malloy (The Orville) · Instagram Followers: 114,000 · Notable Series: Band of Brothers, The Orville, Family Guy
Quick snapshot
- Born July 9, 1971, in Lowell, Massachusetts (IMDb biography)
- Voices Steve Smith on American Dad! and Kevin Swanson on Family Guy (IMDb biography)
- Exact nature of his friendship with Seth MacFarlane beyond professional collaboration
- Current net worth is not publicly verified by audited sources
- First acting role at age 15 (1986) in Critters; voice role on American Dad! since 2005
- Continues voice work on Family Guy and American Dad!; active with new music releases
The table below lays out the core biographical details that define Scott Grimes’s public profile.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Scott Christopher Grimes |
| Date of Birth | July 9, 1971 |
| Place of Birth | Lowell, Massachusetts, USA |
| Occupation | Actor, singer |
| Years Active | 1986–present |
| Notable Role (Live Action) | Tech Sergeant Donald Malarkey (Band of Brothers) |
| Notable Role (Voice) | Steve Smith (American Dad!) |
What is Scott Grimes famous for?
Scott Grimes built his reputation across three parallel tracks: live-action drama, adult animation voice work, and a music career that predates much of his screen fame. The pattern is a performer who never stuck to one lane.
Voice acting roles in Family Guy and American Dad
Grimes is the voice behind two of the longest-running characters in adult animation. On Family Guy, he plays Kevin Swanson, the son of Joe Swanson; on American Dad!, he voices Steve Smith, the awkward teenage son of Stan Smith. Both roles have run for over a decade — American Dad! premiered in 2005 and is still airing new episodes (IMDb biography).
Live-action roles in Band of Brothers and The Orville
In 2001, Grimes portrayed Technical Sergeant Donald Malarkey in HBO’s acclaimed miniseries Band of Brothers, produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks (Wikipedia). More recently, he played Gordon Malloy, a pilot on Seth MacFarlane’s sci-fi series The Orville, which ran from 2017 to 2022 (Wikipedia).
Music career
Grimes released a self-titled debut album in 1989 through A&M Records, produced by Richard Carpenter of The Carpenters (Fandango biography). His singing style leans toward folk-rock, and he continues to write and release music independently.
Are Seth MacFarlane and Scott Grimes friends in real life?
The two have worked together for nearly two decades, and public comments suggest a genuine friendship beyond sets.
Their collaboration on Family Guy and American Dad
MacFarlane created both Family Guy and American Dad! and cast Grimes in key roles — Kevin Swanson in the former and Steve Smith in the latter. MacFarlane also gave Grimes a starring role on The Orville, which MacFarlane created and starred in (IMDb biography).
Personal friendship and social media interactions
Grimes and MacFarlane have appeared together in interviews and on social media, presenting an easy rapport. The exact depth of their off-camera friendship isn’t fully documented, but multiple guest appearances on each other’s projects suggest a positive working relationship.
Are Luke Grimes and Scott Grimes related?
Despite sharing a last name and both working in Hollywood, they are not related.
Why the shared last name causes confusion
Luke Grimes — best known for playing Kayce Dutton on Yellowstone — and Scott Grimes are separate individuals with no familial connection (IMDb biography). The coincidence of the surname leads to frequent search confusion.
Luke Grimes’ career and background
Luke Grimes is a younger actor (born 1984) from Dayton, Ohio, who rose to fame well after Scott Grimes had established his career in animation and drama.
The shared surname is pure coincidence. If you see “Grimes” in a Yellowstone credit, that’s Luke — not Scott.
What is actor Scott Grimes doing now?
As of 2024–2025, Grimes remains active across both voice and screen roles.
Recent acting projects (2023–2025)
He continues to voice Steve Smith on American Dad! and Kevin Swanson on Family Guy, both still in production. In 2023, he appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in an uncredited role (Wikipedia).
Music releases and performances
Grimes has released new music independently in recent years, performing in a folk-rock style. He occasionally performs live and posts updates on his Instagram account, which has over 114,000 followers.
Social media updates
He is active on Instagram, where he shares behind-the-scenes photos, family moments, and updates on his music projects.
What is Scott Grimes’ net worth?
No audited, publicly verifiable figure exists for Scott Grimes’ net worth. Various entertainment and celebrity-wealth sites estimate it between $3 million and $8 million, but none are primary sources. His income streams include:
- Long-running voice roles on Family Guy and American Dad!
- Live-action roles on The Orville and Band of Brothers
- Music royalties from his 1989 album and independent releases
Without audited financial disclosures, any net worth figure is an estimate. Treat even “reliable” celebrity-wealth numbers as ballpark ranges.
What movies and TV shows has Scott Grimes been in?
Grimes’ filmography spans four decades, from 1980s creature features to Christopher Nolan epics.
Key films: Oppenheimer, Mystery, Alaska
- Critters (1986) and Critters 2: The Main Course (1988) — playing Brad Brown (Fandango biography)
- Mystery, Alaska (1999) — supporting role alongside Russell Crowe
- Oppenheimer (2023) — uncredited role in Christopher Nolan’s film (Wikipedia)
Television: Band of Brothers, The Orville, ER
- Band of Brothers (2001) — Tech Sergeant Donald Malarkey (Wikipedia)
- ER (2003–2009) — Dr. Archie Morris (Wikipedia)
- The Orville (2017–2022) — Gordon Malloy (IMDb biography)
- NCIS: Los Angeles (2013) — appeared in a backdoor pilot episode titled “Red” (Wikipedia)
Voice work: Family Guy, American Dad, Robot Chicken
- American Dad! (2005–present) — Steve Smith (IMDb biography)
- Family Guy (2006–present) — Kevin Swanson (IMDb biography)
- Robot Chicken — various guest roles
Is Scott Grimes related to the musician Grimes?
No. The musician known as Grimes — born Claire Boucher — is a Canadian singer and producer with no relation to Scott Grimes. They work in entirely separate entertainment fields, and the shared professional name is coincidental.
- 1971 — Born in Lowell, Massachusetts
- 1986 — First acting role at age 15 in Critters
- 2001 — Portrayed Donald Malarkey in Band of Brothers
- 2005 — Began voicing Steve Smith on American Dad!
- 2006 — Joined Family Guy as Kevin Swanson (recurring)
- 2017 — Cast as Gordon Malloy on The Orville
- 2023 — Appeared in Oppenheimer
Confirmed facts
- Scott Grimes is an American actor and singer born in 1971.
- He voices Steve Smith on American Dad! and Kevin Swanson on Family Guy.
- He is not related to Luke Grimes or the musician Grimes.
- He appeared in Band of Brothers and Oppenheimer.
What’s unclear
- The exact nature of his friendship with Seth MacFarlane is not fully documented beyond professional collaboration.
- His current net worth is not publicly verified by audited sources.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Scott Grimes’ most famous role?
He is widely known for voicing Steve Smith on American Dad! — a role he has played since the show premiered in 2005 (IMDb biography).
How many seasons of American Dad has Scott Grimes appeared in?
He has voiced Steve Smith in all 20 seasons of American Dad! since its debut in 2005 — the show is still ongoing.
Does Scott Grimes write his own music?
Yes. His 1989 self-titled album was produced by Richard Carpenter, and he continues to write and release music independently.
What was Scott Grimes’ role in Oppenheimer?
He appears in Christopher Nolan’s 2023 film Oppenheimer in an uncredited role (Wikipedia).
Who is Scott Grimes married to?
Grimes has been married twice but currently keeps his personal relationships private. He shares children with his first wife.
How tall is Scott Grimes?
Grimes stands at approximately 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m).
What awards has Scott Grimes won?
He has not received major individual acting awards but was part of the ensemble cast of Band of Brothers, which won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries in 2002.
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Edward Davies Bennett is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Insight Britain, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.