Alex Hirsch

Animator, voice actor, writer, storyboard artist, producerTemplate:SHORTDESC:Animator, voice actor, writer, storyboard artist, producer[[Category:**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Pagetype/config' not found.**s with short description]]

Template:Pp-semi-indef
Template:Use mdy dates

* Animator
* voice actor
* writer
* producer
* storyboard Artist

**Alexander Robert Hirsch** (born June 18, 1985) is an American animator, voice actor, writer, storyboard artist, and producer. He is the creator of the Disney Channel series *Gravity Falls*, for which he provided the voices of Grunkle Stan, Soos, and Bill Cipher, among others. He also earned BAFTA and Annie Awards for the series. In 2016, Hirsch co-authored *Gravity Falls: Journal 3* which debuted as a No. 1 *New York Times* Best Seller and remained on *The New York Times* Best Seller list for forty-seven weeks. In 2018, Hirsch wrote *Gravity Falls: Lost Legends* which also appeared on *The New York Times* Best Seller list.

## Early life and education

Hirsch was born in Piedmont, California on June 18, 1985. He has a twin sister named Ariel. His father is Jewish, and he was raised agnostic, celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah. Between the ages of 9 and 13, Hirsch and his twin sister would go stay with their great-aunt (or "graunty") Lois, at her cabin in the woods during the summer. These experiences later served as Hirsch's inspiration for *Gravity Falls*. He graduated from Piedmont High School where, as a junior, he won the school's annual Bird Calling Contest in 2002 and appeared on the *Late Show with David Letterman*.

Hirsch went on to attend the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) where he created a variety of projects and short films including his senior film, *Off The Wall*, which combined animation and live action. He also spent the summer of 2006 working in Portland, Oregon on a later-scrapped animated film for Laika. He graduated from the college in 2007.

## Career

Hirsch's first job after graduating from CalArts was as a writer and storyboard artist for *The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack* on Cartoon Network where he worked alongside fellow CalArts alumni, J. G. Quintel, Pendleton Ward (who was his writing partner on the show), and Patrick McHale. He would go on to develop the pilot for the Disney Channel series, *Fish Hooks* along with Maxwell Atoms and future *Rick and Morty* creator Justin Roiland.

In 2012, Hirsch created the series *Gravity Falls* for the Disney Channel. The show, set in the fictional town of Gravity Falls, Oregon, premiered in June 2012 with a voice cast including Jason Ritter, Kristen Schaal, and Hirsch himself. Over the course of the series, he provided the voices of Grunkle Stan, Soos, Old Man McGucket, Bill Cipher, and many other minor characters. The show was moved to Disney XD in 2014. It would go on to win a BAFTA Children's Award and an Annie Award in 2015 and was nominated for several other awards (including a Peabody Award in 2016). Hirsch ended *Gravity Falls* in February 2016 to pursue other projects.

In July 2016, Hirsch threw a global treasure hunt (known as "Cipher Hunt") for *Gravity Falls* fans with clues hidden throughout the world including in the United States, Japan, and Russia. The goal of the hunt was to find a statue of the *Gravity Falls* character, Bill Cipher. After two weeks, fans of the show discovered the statue in Reedsport, Oregon. The hunt coincided with the release of Hirsch's tie-in book, *Gravity Falls: Journal 3*, which was released on July 26, 2016 and eventually became a No. 1 *New York Times* Best Seller and appeared on *The New York Times* Best Seller list for nearly a year. Due to the successful sales of *Gravity Falls: Journal 3*, a special edition of the book was released on June 13, 2017 and limited to 10,000 copies. The *Gravity Falls: Journal 3 Special Edition* contains blacklight writing, parchment pages, a monocle, removable photos and notes, and other features that were not included in the regular edition of the book.

In February 2018, Hirsch used his Twitter account to announce an official *Gravity Falls* graphic novel, through a series of puzzle pieces that he would release throughout the day. Put together the puzzle pieces revealed the cover of *Gravity Falls: Lost Legends; 4 All-New Adventures!* which was written by Hirsch was released on July 24, 2018 and also became a *New York Times* Best Seller.

Outside of *Gravity Falls*, Hirsch has done voice work for a number of projects including *Phineas and Ferb*, *Rick and Morty*, and as the announcer for the Chelsea Peretti special, *One of the Greats*. In August 2016, it was announced that Hirsch was in negotiations to co-write the live-action *Pokémon* movie, *Detective Pikachu*, alongside *Guardians of the Galaxy* and *Captain Marvel* writer Nicole Perlman. However, he left the project early into the production before writing any of the script. Hirsch was a story contributor to Sony's animated Spider-Man film, *Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse* (2018).

On August 27, 2018, Hirsch signed a deal with American streaming company Netflix for a multi-year deal, according to *Variety*, thus led to the green-light of *Inside Job*, which he co-executive produces alongside the creator and show-runner Shion Takeuchi.

He is currently the voice of King in the Disney Channel animated series *The Owl House*, created by Dana Terrace. The show premiered on January 10, 2020.

## Personal life

*Gravity Falls* was inspired by Hirsch's own childhood experiences and his relationship with his own twin sister growing up during their summer vacations. He placed many of his real-life experiences in the show, like living in Piedmont and trick-or-treating with his sister as kids. Dipper Pines, one of the lead characters of *Gravity Falls*, is based on Hirsch's memory of how it felt to be a kid. When Hirsch was around Dipper's age, he "would record [him]self and play it backwards and try to learn to speak backwards." Hirsch described himself as "that neurotic kid who would carry 16 disposable cameras everywhere I went." The character Mabel Pines was inspired by his twin sister, Ariel Hirsch. According to Hirsch, just like Mabel, his sister "really did wear wacky sweaters and have a different ridiculous crush, every week." In the series Mabel gets a pet pig, just like his sister had always wanted when she was a kid. The character of Grunkle Stan was inspired by Hirsch's grandpa Stan, who according to Hirsch "was a guy that told tall tales and would frequently mess with us to get a rise out of us. So, my family really inspired the characters on the show."

Hirsch, along with Dana Terrace, have done multiple charity live streams, in which they draw cartoons to raise money for various organizations including Planned Parenthood, The American Civil Liberties Union, The Natural Resources Defense Council, The Southern Poverty Law Center, Direct Relief (with Justin Roiland and Ethan Klein), The Trevor Project (with Rebecca Sugar and Ian Jones-Quartey), and RAICES (with Daron Nefcy and Eden Sher). All together totaling over $270,000 raised.

## References

1. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
2. ↑ According to the State of California. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. Searchable at http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/39461 Template:Webarchive
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover". 13 August 2016. https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2016/08/14/childrens-middle-grade-hardcover/. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover". 20 January 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2018/01/20/childrens-middle-grade-hardcover/. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Template:Cite tweet
6. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
7. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
8. ↑ TheMyseryofGF (July 27, 2016). "Gravity Falls - Alex Hirsch at The Grove". https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R8PoE5T7r-8&t=1119s?t=18m17s.
9. ↑ Joseph C. Lin (August 1, 2014). "Disney's Gravity Falls Creator on How to Create a Show for All Ages". https://time.com/3064362/gravity-falls-alex-hirsch-interview/?amp=true.
10. ↑ Burress, Charles (June 7, 2003). "Piedmont High atwitter over quack attack / Rookie squawkers take grand prize in birdcalling contest". Retrieved on January 4, 2018.
11. ↑ "Piedmont High School Annual Bird Calling Contest". Piedmont High School. http://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/phs/campus-life/bird-calling.php. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
12. ↑ Schwarz, John (May 21, 2015). "That time the Gravity Falls creator was on Letterman", Bubble Blabber. Retrieved on January 4, 2018.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Template:Cite magazine
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Owen, Rob (June 14, 2012). "'Gravity Falls': Inspired by Boring, Ore.? It's true". Retrieved on January 4, 2018.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Adams, Erik (September 28, 2012). "Comedy Showrunners Week: Alex Hirsch on the real in the unreal of Gravity Falls". Retrieved on January 4, 2018.
16. ↑ Kaiser, Vrai (July 14, 2017). "Interview: Gravity Falls' Alex Hirsch Talks About Disney's Censors, Pacifica's Parents, and Future Plans", The Mary Sue. Retrieved on January 5, 2018.
17. ↑ Lange, Ariane (September 15, 2014). "Inside The Marvelous Mind of Thurop Van Orman", BuzzFeed. Retrieved on January 5, 2018.
18. ↑ Gonzales, Dave (August 9, 2016). "The best Easter eggs from Rick and Morty season 2", Geek. Retrieved on December 30, 2017.
19. ↑ Barnes, Brooks (August 18, 2012). "An Undercurrent of Darkness, Even at Disney". Retrieved on January 5, 2018.
20. ↑ "11 Gravity Falls facts that will blow your kid's mind", SheKnows (February 12, 2016). Retrieved on January 5, 2018.
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Template:Cite magazine
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Template:Cite magazine
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Template:Cite magazine
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Template:Cite magazine
25. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
26. ↑ Lasan, Chan (August 16, 2016). "Gravity Falls Season 3: Alex Hirsch Hints Upcoming Series!", Movie News Guide. Retrieved on January 5, 2018.
27. ↑ Velocci, Carli (July 20, 2016). "Gravity Falls Fans Get One Last Code to Break and It's a Doozy", io9. Retrieved on January 5, 2018.
28. ↑ Velocci, Carli (August 3, 2016). "After Just Two Weeks, Gravity Falls Fans Complete Incredible Global Cipher Hunt", io9. Retrieved on January 5, 2018.
29. ↑ "Gravity Falls: Journal 3". https://books.disney.com/book/gravity-falls-journal-3/. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
30. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Template:Cite tweet
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Gravity Falls: Journal 3 Special Edition". https://www.amazon.com/Gravity-Falls-Journal-3-Special/dp/1368002501.
33. ↑ Michelle Lema (October 9, 2016). "A Black Light Limited Edition Of Gravity Falls: Journal 3 Is Coming And More From The Gravity Falls Panel At NYCC". https://ohmy.disney.com/news/2016/10/09/a-special-black-light-limited-edition-of-gravity-falls-journal-3-to-be-released/.
34. ↑ "Through Mysterious Puzzle Pieces, Alex Hirsch Revealed the Cover for the First-Ever Gravity Falls Graphic Novel" (in en-US), *Oh My Disney* (February 16, 2018).
35. ↑ "Gravity Falls: Lost Legends: 4 All-New Adventures!". https://books.disney.com/book/gravity-falls-lost-legends/. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
36. ↑ Campbell, Nakeisha (May 26, 2017). "Guess Who?: Meet the Actors Who Voice Your Favorite Disney Channel Animated Characters", M Magazine. Retrieved on January 6, 2018.
37. ↑ Vasquez, Romeo (November 7, 2015). "'Gravity Falls,' 'Rick and Morty' Share A Common Universe; Crossover Possible in 'Gravity Falls' Season 3", Franchise Herald. Retrieved on January 6, 2018.
38. ↑ "Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats (2014 TV Special) – Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3804556/fullcredits. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
39. ↑ Chitwood, Adam (August 16, 2016). "'Pokemon' Movie Lands Marvel Vet Nicole Perlman, Alex Hirsch as Writers". https://collider.com/pokemon-movie-writers-nicole-perlman-alex-hirsch/.
40. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (December 14, 2016). "Legendary Taps Herbert W. Gains As EVP Physical Production, Hires Two SVPs". *Deadline*. https://deadline.com/2016/12/legendary-hires-herbert-w-gains-evp-physical-production-svp-valerie-flueger-veras-sara-flamm-1201870723/. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
41. ↑ Hirsch, Alex (November 12, 2018). "Haha nope. I was asked to be involved in very early brainstorming conversations, but I left early on to pursue other projects. Never wrote a page of script. Hollywood baby!https://twitter.com/ExoPLeis/status/1062034582105657347 …". https://twitter.com/\_alexhirsch/status/1062037804010528768?lang=en.
42. ↑ Gonzalez, Umberto (February 28, 2017). "Sony's Animated 'Spider-Man' Movie Adds Alex Hirsch as Story Contributor (Exclusive)", The Wrap. Retrieved on January 6, 2018.
43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Oh, Sheryl (December 11, 2017). "'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' Trailer Introduces Miles Morales", Film School Rejects. Retrieved on January 6, 2018.
44. ↑ "'Gravity Falls' Creator Alex Hirsch Signs Netflix Deal", *Variety* (August 27, 2018). Retrieved on August 27, 2018.
45. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (April 23, 2019). "Netflix Orders New Adult Animated Series From 'Gravity Falls' Duo (Exclusive)". https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/netflix-orders-new-adult-animated-series-inside-job-1203958. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
46. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (September 5, 2019). "Disney Channel’s ‘The Owl House’ Sets Voice Cast, Secures New York Comic Con Berth" (in en). https://deadline.com/2019/09/the-owl-house-voice-cast-wendie-malick-alex-hirsch-sarah-nicole-robles-1202712677/. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 47.3 Radish, Christina (6 July 2012). "Creator Alex Hirsch Talks GRAVITY FALLS, How He Ended Up Making a Show for the Disney Channel, His Love for TV Animation and More". https://collider.com/alex-hirsch-gravity-falls-interview/. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
48. ↑ "Gravity Falls' Alex Hirsch previews the show's new season by recapping its first". Retrieved on November 21, 2015.
49. ↑ Template:Cite episode
50. ↑ "Disney Channel Medianet". Disney Channel Medianet. http://www.disneychannelmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program\_id=900074&type=hirsch. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
51. ↑ Larsen, Peter. "'Gravity Falls' brings quirky comedy to Disney Channel". The Orange Country Register. http://www.ocregister.com/watcher/strong-456086-says-hirsch.html. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
52. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
53. ↑ TheMysteryofGF (November 11, 2016). "Alex & Dana Charity Draw-A-Thon". https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T9lY\_rVWg\_s. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
54. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
55. ↑ TheMysteryofGF (November 28, 2016). "Alex & Dana Charity Draw-A-Thon Two!". https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kMI8zcZKOKA&t=20s. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 Template:Cite tweet
57. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
58. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
59. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
60. ↑ H3 Podcast (September 7, 2017). "H3 Podcast #26 - Justin Roiland & Alex Hirsch Charity Special". https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jnwzb6DkCLM. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
61. ↑ H3 Podcast (December 18, 2018). "H3 Podcast #99 - Justin Roiland & Alex Hirsch Charity Special 2018". https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nTaI\_mX7L2Q. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
62. ↑ Gutelle, Sam (September 6, 2017). "H3h3productions Raises Over $100,000 With Twitch Live Stream To Support Hurricane Harvey Relief", TubeFilter. Retrieved on December 30, 2017.
63. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
64. ↑ TheMysteryofGF (August 4, 2017). "The Ultimate Crossover! Charity Drawathon". https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IlkspyWDDUQ. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
65. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
66. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
67. ↑ TheMysteryofGF (June 27, 2018). "Cartoons Vs The Forces of Evil!". https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=155qaXpjFF8. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
68. ↑ "Disney Channel Medianet". http://www.disneychannelmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program\_id=900074&type=hirsch.
69. ↑ "Alex Hirsch (Gravity Falls) – Imaginary Friend". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHNRGzrEwi4.
70. ↑ Schneider, Michael (July 6, 2020). "‘Gravity Falls’ Creator Alex Hirsch Brings Back the Mystery Shack, Sort of, via Disney Channel’s ‘Amphibia’ (Exclusive)". https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/gravity-falls-amphibia-alex-hirsch-disney-channel-first-look-1234699377/.
71. ↑ Template:Cite video game
72. ↑ Template:Cite magazine

## External links

* Template:IMDb name
* Alex Hirsch on Twitter**Lua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 36: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).**Template:WikidataCheck

Template:Gravity Falls
Template:Authority control