You probably know the drill by now. Peter walks into the room, Meg says something perfectly normal, and he just grunts, "Shut up, Meg." It’s the longest-running gag in Family Guy history. But if you’ve been watching since the late '90s, you might have noticed something weird about those early episodes. Meg sounded... different. Kind of like she was a completely different person. Well, that’s because she was.
The voice of Meg in Family Guy isn't just one person. It’s a legacy that’s passed through several hands—some famous, some almost forgotten—before landing on the Mila Kunis version we all know and (mostly) pity today.
The Meg We Almost Had: Rachael MacFarlane and Cree Summer
Most people think Lacey Chabert was the first Meg. She wasn’t. Before the show even hit the airwaves, Seth MacFarlane had to pitch the concept to Fox. In that original 1998 "pilot pitch," Meg was voiced by Rachael MacFarlane, Seth’s sister. It was a family affair back then. Rachael eventually moved on to voice Hayley Smith in American Dad!, but her Meg was essentially the blueprint.
Then things got interesting. There’s this persistent bit of industry lore—confirmed by the actress herself—that Cree Summer was actually cast as Meg after the show was greenlit. You know Cree. She was Susie Carmichael in Rugrats and Elmyra in Tiny Toon Adventures. She’s a voice acting legend. But for whatever reason, the producers let her go before she could make her mark. Cree has mentioned in interviews that she was "dismissed," which honestly feels like a massive "what if" in TV history. Imagine a version of Meg with that gravelly, cool Cree Summer energy. The character probably wouldn't have ended up as the family's punching bag.
The Lacey Chabert Era: Why She Really Left
When Family Guy finally premiered after the Super Bowl in 1999, Lacey Chabert was the voice of Meg. She was the "it girl" of the moment, thanks to Party of Five. She brought a certain earnestness to the role. Back then, Meg wasn't a social pariah; she was just a slightly whiny, insecure teenager.
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Chabert voiced Meg for the entire first season (about 15 episodes). But by the time Season 2 rolled around, she was gone. For years, rumors swirled. People thought she was fired. Some thought there was a huge contract dispute. The truth? It was way more boring.
"I actually left the show of my own accord," Chabert told GameSpy back in 2006. "And only because I was in school and doing 'Party of Five' at the time."
Basically, she was an exhausted teenager trying to balance high school with a massive live-action drama. Something had to give. She chose her education and her main gig, never dreaming that this weird cartoon about a talking dog would last 25+ years. There’s no bad blood, though. She even came back for a cameo in the episode "Yug Ylimaf," where Stewie messes with time and Meg’s voice literally reverts back to Chabert's.
How Mila Kunis Landed the Job at 15
Enter Mila Kunis. It’s 1999. She’s already a star on That '70s Show, but she’s still a kid. When she auditioned to be the new voice of Meg in Family Guy, she was only 15 years old.
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Seth MacFarlane was notoriously picky during this recast. He didn't want a "cartoon voice." He wanted a real teen. Mila had to go back multiple times. Seth kept telling her to speak slower. Then he told her to come back and enunciate more. He wanted her to sound like a natural, frustrated girl next door, not a voice actor "performing" a character.
Mila eventually nailed it, and honestly, her timing was perfect. As she grew up, Meg evolved. The character shifted from a relatable teen to the bizarre, resilient, and often terrifying scapegoat of the Griffin house. Mila has been voicing her for over two decades now, and she’s gone on record saying she "f***ing loves Meg" because the character represents everyone who’s ever felt like an outcast.
The Others: Singing Voices and "Other Megs"
If you’re a real superfan, you know the list doesn't stop with Chabert and Kunis. Voice acting is a collaborative sport.
- Tara Strong: When Meg needs to belt out a power ballad (like in "Don't Make Me Over"), the legendary Tara Strong often steps in.
- Debi Derryberry: She provided singing voices in some early alternate openings.
- Lisa Wilhoit: Remember the episode "Fifteen Minutes of Shame"? When the family gets a reality show, "Other Meg" is voiced by Lisa Wilhoit.
The Logistics of Voicing a Legend
People often wonder how Mila Kunis stays with the show despite being an A-list movie star. The secret is the "booth." Voice acting is the best gig in Hollywood. You can show up in sweatpants, record your lines in a few hours, and go home. You don't need hair and makeup. You don't need to be in the same room as your co-stars.
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Mila has mentioned that she’s basically just using her natural voice at this point. There’s no "Meg accent." It’s just Mila, slightly more exasperated. This naturalism is exactly what Seth MacFarlane wanted back in '99. It’s why the "Shut up, Meg" jokes land so well—it sounds like a real person getting their feelings hurt.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to hear the subtle shift for yourself, go back and watch Season 1, Episode 1 ("Death Has a Shadow") to hear Lacey Chabert’s uncredited performance. Then, skip to Season 2, Episode 3 ("Da Boom"), which marks the official debut of Mila Kunis. The contrast in the character's energy is a fascinating look at how a voice can completely redefine a character's DNA.