bio

Mike Reiss (@MikeReissWriter) is a multiple Emmy Award-winning writer for The Simpsons who is one of two members of the staff who has been onboard since the series first aired, co-creating many of the show’s most beloved characters and running Seasons Three and Four (often hailed as the best of the series) with his longtime writing partner Al Jean. Along with Jean, Reiss is also the co-creator of the pioneering cult classic 90s animated series The Critic starring Jon Lovitz. Reiss has also written for the likes of: Johnny Carson, Joan Rivers, Garry Shandling, ALF, Charles in Charge, the Oscars ceremony and even the Pope (true story!). 

A bestselling children’s book author and creator/host of the hit comedic travel podcast What Am I Doing Here? (which was also recently adapted into a book), Reiss is additionally a screenwriter and legendary “punch-up” doctor who has worked on a variety of extremely popular film franchises, such as the Ice Age and Despicable Me films. The Minions from Despicable Me were in fact named by Reiss (hint: All after fellow Simpsons writers!). His memoir, Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for The Simpsons, is available from Harper Collins in hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats, has been translated into multiple languages and is also a popular audiobook voiced by Reiss himself.