Claim: Family Guy was invented by Seth MacFarlane.

Lois Patrice Griffin -LRB- née Pewterschmidt -RRB- is one of the main characters of the American animated television series Family Guy . She is voiced by writer Alex Borstein and first appeared on television , along with the rest of the family , in the 15-minute short on December 20 , 1998 . Lois was created and designed by series creator Seth MacFarlane . MacFarlane was asked to pitch a pilot to the Fox Broadcasting Company based on Larry and Steve , a short he made which featured a middle-aged character named Larry and an intellectual dog , Steve . After the pilot was given the green light , the Griffin family appeared on the episode `` Death Has a Shadow '' .   Lois is the mother of the Griffin family . With her husband Peter , she has had three children : Meg , Chris , and Stewie , along with the family dog , Brian . Lois is often portrayed as a stereotypical television mother , despite her admitting to being a recovering methamphetamine addict and a kleptomaniac . Lois has also had several affairs , one of which allegedly resulted in the conception of Meg . She has appeared in other media relating to Family Guy -- including a video game , commercials and books -- and inspired an entire line of merchandise . Lois 's distinctive New York accent originated from a character in a stage show that Alex Borstein performed in , which was largely inspired by a relative who grew up on Long Island , New York .