Documentary video on Seth MacFarlane features local residents

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KENT – A video that features several Kent residents talking about one of the town’s favorite sons, Seth MacFarlane, has been making the rounds on social media recently.

The documentary video was created and published in April 2023 by Braeden McCabe, who was a Kent School student, to honor MacFarlane’s induction into the Sill Society in 2022. The society recognizes Kent School alumni “whose personal achievement and distinguished service bring honor and distinction to themselves and Kent School,” according to the school’s website.

The school’s Alumni Office asked McCabe to create the video.

MacFarlane is a well-known actor, animator, writer, producer, director, comedian and singer. He got his start in his artistic career in Kent where he grew up. His parents, Ron and Perry, worked at Kent School and he graduated from the independent school in 1991. MacFarlane created and starred in the television series, “Family Guy.” He’s also created many other TV series and movies, including “Ted.”

In the video on YouTube, local residents Marty Holcombe and George-Ann Gowan, talk with Ron MacFarlane about their experiences with Seth.

“I knew him through music and drama and it was a pleasure every minute of the time,” said Holcombe.

Gowan spoke about how her late son, Donny, and Seth grew up together.

“They played together from the time they could sit up. They went to nursery school, elementary school and Kent School together,” she said. “He’s been a friend of our family for many years.”

Gowan said during an interview Wednesday that she was contacted by the Alumni Office and asked to assist McCabe with his project. She helped connect him with Holcombe and took him to the nursery school.

“Braeden did a marvelous job with the video,” Gowan said.

Everyone interviewed in the video said they could see Seth’s talent very early on.

Holcombe explained how KCS was trying to do a Gilbert and Sullivan production and Seth wanted to try out, but he was only in fourth grade.

“We were expecting the eighth graders to be the stars of the show,” Holcombe said. After his audition, the director knew Seth had to be given the lead role. “He was the star and he was incredible.”

In the video, his former teacher at Kent Center School, Bruce Adams, also shares several stories about Seth’s time as a student, as well as his financial support that created the Don Gowan outdoor basketball court behind the school. His Kent School teacher, Robert DesMarais, also shared his memories of MacFarlane as a cartoonist for the school newspaper and on stage in several productions.

Everyone in the video offers their congratulations on his accomplishments and being inducted into the society.