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Scott Grimes – Actor, Singer and Voice-Over Star

Oliver Jack Thompson Howard • 2026-06-27 • Reviewed by Maya Thompson




Scott Grimes: Actor, Singer, and Voice-Over Star

Scott Grimes: Actor, Singer, and Voice-Over Star

Scott Grimes is an American actor and singer who has built a career spanning Broadway, blockbuster films, and two of the most popular animated series on television. He is best known as the voice of the hapless teenager Steve Smith on American Dad! and the pilot Gordon Malloy on the sci-fi series The Orville. Beyond acting, Grimes has released multiple albums and performed for royalty, making him one of the more versatile entertainers working today.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and raised in nearby Dracut, Grimes started performing at the age of nine on Broadway. He made his screen debut in 1984 and has worked steadily ever since, moving easily between live-action drama, voiceover comedy, and original music. His career took a notable turn in 2023 when he appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.

What is Scott Grimes best known for?

Scott Grimes is most widely recognized for his voice work on long-running animated series, specifically as Steve Smith on American Dad! and Kevin Swanson on Family Guy. He also played a central role as pilot Gordon Malloy on Seth MacFarlane’s sci-fi series The Orville. His film credits include Mystery, Alaska, Robin Hood, and a dramatic appearance in Oppenheimer.

Voice Actor: Steve Smith (American Dad!), Kevin Swanson (Family Guy), Gordon Malloy (The Orville), Ted (adult version, Ted prequel series)
Singer: Released albums including Drive (2005); member of the charity band Band from TV
Personal: Married to actress Adrianne Palicki (2019–2022); father of two children; resides in Los Angeles
Net Worth: No verified figure; estimated by various sites, but no official confirmation exists

Key insights

  • Grimes is primarily known for long-running voice roles in animated series, especially American Dad! and Family Guy.
  • He has a parallel music career as a vocalist, including a full album and live performances.
  • His role in the 2023 film Oppenheimer brought new visibility to his dramatic work.
  • He maintains a modest public profile, with limited social media presence compared to peers.
  • He co-wrote the single “Sunset Blvd,” which charted at number 18 on Billboard‘s Adult Contemporary chart.
  • He has collaborated repeatedly with actor Russell Crowe, appearing in three films together.
Attribute Detail
Full Name Scott Christopher Grimes
Born July 9, 1971 (Lowell, Massachusetts, USA)
Occupation Actor, Singer
Years Active 1979–present
Notable TV Roles Steve Smith (American Dad!), Kevin Swanson (Family Guy), Gordon Malloy (The Orville)
Notable Film Role Counsel in Oppenheimer (2023)
Music Lead vocalist; album Drive (2005)
Spouse Adrianne Palicki (m. 2019, div. 2022)
Children 2

Does Scott Grimes sing?

Yes, Scott Grimes is an accomplished singer and songwriter. He began performing on television specials as a child, and in 1989 he released his self-titled debut album on A&M Records, produced by Grammy-winning musician Richard Carpenter and label co-founder Herb Alpert. His second album, Livin’ on the Run, arrived in 2005, followed by Drive in 2010.

Chart success and collaborations

Grimes co-wrote and performed the soft rock single Sunset Blvd, which peaked at number 18 on Billboard‘s Adult Contemporary chart in April 2005. That same year, he collaborated musically with Russell Crowe, Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea, and Samantha Barks in a group called Indoor Garden Party, which released the album Indoor Party produced by Carl Falk.

Charity work through music

He is also a member of the charity band Band from TV, which includes actors James Denton, Adrian Pasdar, Greg Grunberg, Jesse Spencer, and Bob Guiney. Since its founding, the band has raised over $2 million for charitable causes. Grimes has been praised by Richard Carpenter for his “spirited” vocal performances.

Vocal range and style

Grimes’ singing voice is described as soft rock and adult contemporary. He performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden during a 1986 Royal Command Performance.

Who is Scott Grimes’ wife?

Scott Grimes was married to actress Adrianne Palicki, best known for her role in Friday Night Lights and as the lead in the unaired Wonder Woman pilot. They were married on May 19, 2019, and divorced in April 2022. No details about the cause of the divorce have been made public by either party.

Grimes has two children, including a daughter named Madison Grimes. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

What is Scott Grimes’ net worth?

There is no specific verified figure for Scott Grimes’ net worth. While many celebrity wealth sites speculate on figures, reliable sources such as Wikipedia, IMDb, and official biographies do not disclose a confirmed amount. His income is likely derived from his long tenure in major TV shows including ER, American Dad!, and The Orville, as well as voice acting royalties and music sales.

Uncertain financial data

Net worth estimates vary widely across unverified celebrity wealth sites. No official confirmation of his net worth has been provided by Grimes or his representatives.

Scott Grimes career timeline

  1. 1982: Broadway debut at age nine in the Tony Award-winning musical Nine, opposite Raul Julia.
  2. 1984: Screen debut in the TV movie It Came Upon the Midnight Clear alongside Mickey Rooney.
  3. 1987: Voiced Pinocchio in the animated film Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night.
  4. 2001: Portrayed Sgt. Donald Malarkey in the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers.
  5. 2003–2009: Played Dr. Archie Morris on the medical drama ER, working alongside Anthony Edwards.
  6. 2005: Began voicing Steve Smith on American Dad!, a role he continues to hold.
  7. 2017–2022: Starred as pilot Gordon Malloy on the sci-fi series The Orville, created by Matt Groening‘s collaborator Seth MacFarlane.
  8. 2023: Appeared as Counsel to the Atomic Energy Commission in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.

What is confirmed and what remains unclear?

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
Scott Grimes was born on July 9, 1971 in Lowell, Massachusetts. His exact net worth; no reliable source has confirmed a figure.
He voices Steve Smith on American Dad! and Kevin Swanson on Family Guy. Whether he appears in future seasons of The Orville (the series is on hiatus).
He appeared in Oppenheimer as Counsel to the Atomic Energy Commission. Details of his divorce from Adrianne Palicki; neither party has disclosed reasons.
His debut album was produced by Richard Carpenter and Herb Alpert. Whether his middle name is Christopher or Richard (different databases list different names).

What is the context of Scott Grimes’ career?

Scott Grimes represents a rare type of performer who has sustained a career across acting and music for over four decades. Starting as a child actor on Broadway, he transitioned to television and film roles in the 1990s and 2000s, eventually finding his longest-running success in voiceover work for adult animation. His recurring collaborations with Russell Crowe and his membership in Band from TV show a performer who values creative partnerships and charitable work.

His appearance in Oppenheimer was a small but notable dramatic turn, signaling that he remains open to live-action roles even as his voice work continues. Compared to colleagues like Seth MacFarlane, Grimes maintains a relatively low-key public persona, with limited social media activity and few public statements about his personal life.

What do sources say about Scott Grimes?

“He is perhaps most recognized for voicing Steve Smith on American Dad!, a role he has held for nearly two decades, for which he also writes and performs original songs.”

— Shore-Leave Guest Profile

“Grimes is known for his ‘heartfelt’ and ‘versatile’ roles.”

— Various biographical sources

What is next for Scott Grimes?

Grimes continues to voice Steve Smith on American Dad!, which remains in production. He also voiced the adult version of the titular character in the Ted prequel series, which aired from 2024 through early 2026. The future of The Orville is uncertain, with the series currently on hiatus. New film or television roles, as well as potential music releases or live performances, may be announced as his schedule permits. For more on his co-stars, see the biography of Anthony Edwards.

Frequently asked questions about Scott Grimes

What movies and TV shows has Scott Grimes been in?

He has appeared in American Dad!, Family Guy, The Orville, Ted (TV series), Oppenheimer, ER, Band of Brothers, Mystery, Alaska, Robin Hood, and Critters.

Who does Scott Grimes play on Family Guy?

He voices Kevin Swanson, a recurring character who is a member of the Swanson family and a friend of Peter Griffin.

What role did Scott Grimes have in Ted?

He voiced the adult version of the teddy bear Ted in the prequel TV series Ted, which aired from 2024 to 2026.

Was Scott Grimes in Oppenheimer?

Yes, he played an un-named Counsel to the Atomic Energy Commission in Christopher Nolan’s 2023 film Oppenheimer.

Did Scott Grimes sing on American Dad?

Yes, he has written and performed original songs for the show, both as his character Steve Smith and in musical episodes.

How tall is Scott Grimes?

He is 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters) tall.

Who did Scott Grimes play on ER?

He played Dr. Archie Morris, a resident physician on the medical drama ER, from 2003 to 2009.

Is Scott Grimes related to Matt Groening?

No, but he works in the same animation ecosystem as creator Matt Groening, having voiced characters on both American Dad! (Fox) and Family Guy.

Does Scott Grimes have children?

Yes, he has two children, including a daughter named Madison Grimes. He has not publicly named his other child.

What is the name of Scott Grimes’ debut album?

His debut album was simply titled Scott Grimes, released in 1989 on A&M Records.


Additional sources

wiadomoscipunkt.pl

Oliver Jack Thompson Howard

About the author

Oliver Jack Thompson Howard

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.