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Gerard Way

{{Short description|American singer (born 1977)}}

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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}

{{Infobox person

| image =Gerard Way by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg{{!}}

|alt=Way seated behind a microphone

| caption = Way in 2017

| birth_name = Gerard Arthur Way

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1977|4|9}}

| birth_place = Summit, New Jersey, U.S.

| occupation = {{flatlist|

  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • {{nowrap|comic book writer}}

}}

| spouse = {{marriage|Lindsey Ballato|2007}}

| children = 1

| relatives = {{plainlist|

}}

| years_active = 2001–present

| module = {{Infobox musical artist

| embed = yes

| instrument = Vocals

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| current_member_of = My Chemical Romance

| website = {{URL|gerardway.com}}

}}

}}

Gerard Arthur Way (born April 9, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter, and comic book writer. He{{efn|Way uses the pronouns he/him and they/them.{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2015 |title=no, was just commenting on the use of they/them as a widely accepted generic neutral pronoun. I have always preferred he/they |url=https://twitter.com/gerardway/status/607733754015006720 |website=Twitter |access-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411001831/https://twitter.com/gerardway/status/607733754015006720 |url-status=live }} This article uses he/him for consistency.|name=pronouns|group=lower-alpha}} is best known as the lead vocalist and co-founder of the rock band My Chemical Romance. He released his debut solo album, Hesitant Alien, in 2014.

Way co-created and wrote the comic series The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys and The Umbrella Academy,{{Cite magazine |last=Pastorek |first=Whitney |date=June 25, 2007 |title=Exclusive Peek: Gerard Way's 'Umbrella Academy' |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/06/25/debut-comic-my-chemical-romances-frontman/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=August 9, 2007 |archive-date=August 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809084327/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20043177,00.html?cnn=yes |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Gerard Way Bio |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gerard-way-mn0000167530/biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618230629/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gerard-way-mn0000167530/biography |url-status=live }} the latter of which was later adapted into a popular Netflix series that ran for four seasons. He is also the founder of DC Comics' Young Animal imprint, and wrote the imprint's flagship series, Doom Patrol.

Early life

Way was born in Summit, New Jersey, on April 9, 1977,{{Cite web |title=Radio 1 Presents... My Chemical Romance |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/events/mychemicalromance.shtml |publisher=BBC Radio 1 |access-date=May 4, 2007 |archive-date=November 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113203424/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/events/mychemicalromance.shtml |url-status=live }} From the radio interview. the son of Donna Lee (née Rush) and Donald Way. He is of Italian and Scottish ancestry.{{Cite magazine |title=My Chemical Romance channel Scottish roots at T In The Park |url=https://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/57912 |magazine=NME |access-date=December 11, 2013 |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213102803/http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/57912 |url-status=live }} Raised in Belleville, New Jersey, alongside brother Mikey Way, he first began singing publicly in the fourth grade, when he played the role of Peter Pan in a school musical production. His maternal grandmother, Elena Lee Rush, was a great creative influence who taught him to sing, paint, and perform from a young age; he has said that "she has taught me everything I know".{{Cite web |title=Gerard's Biography |url=http://www.imnotokay.net/my-chemical-romance/gerard-way/ |access-date=April 8, 2007 |publisher=ImNotOkay.net |archive-date=February 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225144954/http://www.imnotokay.net/my-chemical-romance/gerard-way |url-status=live }} While in elementary school, the glam metal band Bon Jovi was instrumental in forming his love of music.{{Cite web |title=Gerard Way & Jon Bon Jovi – Interview | date=January 29, 2008 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY9qgRy-mXM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/wY9qgRy-mXM |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=March 14, 2012 |publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

At the age of 15, Way was held at gunpoint. As he said in an April 2008 Rolling Stone interview, "I got held up with a .357 Magnum, had a gun pointed to my head and put on the floor, execution-style." He went on to say that "no matter how ugly the world gets or how stupid it shows me it is, I always have faith [in it]".{{Cite web |title=Future of Music: Gerard Way |date=November 16, 2007 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/future-of-music-gerard-way-20071115 |access-date=February 28, 2011 |publisher=rollingstone.com |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628203237/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/future-of-music-gerard-way-20071115 |url-status=live }} At age 16, he appeared on an episode of Sally Jesse Raphael to discuss the controversy surrounding the publicizing of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer's crimes in comic books.{{Cite web |last=Buzznet.com |date=February 27, 2008 |title=Sally Jesse Raphael with Hart D. Fisher |url=http://mikeywayturnthatoff.buzznet.com/user/video/2641181/sally-jesse-raphael-hart-d/ |access-date=February 12, 2014}}{{dead link|date=October 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Way attended Belleville High School, graduating in 1995. Deciding to pursue a career in the comic-book industry, he attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1999.Gustines, George Gene. [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/20/books/20comi.html "Superhero Stylings From Stars of Pop"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728174954/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/20/books/20comi.html |date=July 28, 2020 }}, The New York Times, October 20, 2007. Accessed November 27, 2007. "For Mr. Way, "Umbrella Academy" was another way to be productive when he wasn't recording with the band. It also used skills he developed as a student at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan."

Music career

=2001–2013: My Chemical Romance=

{{Main|My Chemical Romance}}

File:Gerard Way East Scene.jpg, Quebec, during the Honda Civic Tour in August 2011]]

As teenagers, Gerard and his brother Mikey Way, who later became the bassist of My Chemical Romance, were influenced by artists including Iron Maiden, The Misfits, Danzig, Black Flag, Queen, Pulp, Alkaline Trio, Blur, Morrissey, and The Smiths.{{Cite magazine |title=100 greatest artists of all time – Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-artists-of-all-time-19691231/queen-20110426 |magazine=Rollingstone.com |access-date=October 4, 2014 |archive-date=October 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004082828/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-artists-of-all-time-19691231/queen-20110426 |url-status=live }} Way originally wanted to be a guitarist. His grandmother bought him his first guitar at the age of eight, and he played in short-lived bands such as Ray Gun Jones and Nancy Drew with future bandmate Ray Toro. When he was not successful (one band kicked him out due to his lack of skill with the guitar), he chose to concentrate on his art career.{{Cite web |title=Gerard Way at MASS Canvas |url=http://apps.masscanvas.com/facebook/artist/14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003021850/http://apps.masscanvas.com/facebook/artist/14 |archive-date=October 3, 2011 |access-date=February 12, 2014}}

Way was working as an intern for Cartoon Network in New York City during the September 11, 2001 attacks. Seeing the effects of the attacks first-hand prompted Way to change his views on life in the following weeks. He told Spin magazine, "I literally said to myself, 'Fuck art. I've gotta get out of the basement. I've gotta see the world. I've gotta make a difference.'"{{Cite magazine |date=May 31, 2005 |title=My Chemical Romance |url=https://www.spin.com/2005/05/my-chemical-romance/ |url-status=dead |magazine=Spin Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427170340/https://www.spin.com/2005/05/my-chemical-romance/ |archive-date=April 27, 2011}} To help deal with the emotional effects the attacks had on him, Way wrote the lyrics to the song "Skylines and Turnstiles", which became the first song by My Chemical Romance.{{Cite web |last=Alex Henderson |title=My Chemical Romance Biography |url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/my-chemical-romance/biography/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812224542/http://new.music.yahoo.com/my-chemical-romance/biography/ |archive-date=August 12, 2011 |access-date=February 10, 2007 |publisher=Yahoo.com}} Retrieved from Internet Archive February 13, 2014.

Way has also contributed vocally to other bands' songs such as Every Time I Die's "Kill the Music", Head Automatica's "Graduation Day", Say Anything's "In Defense of the Genre", and The Oval Portrait's "From My Cold Dead Hands" and "Barnabus Collins Has More Skeletons in His Closet Than Vincent Price".{{Cite web |title=Gerard Way Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gerard-way-mn0000167530/credits |website=AllMusic |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017203506/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gerard-way-mn0000167530/credits |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Lions and Madsen and Every Time I Die Oh my! |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1509079/lions-and-madsen-and-every-time-i-die-oh-my/ |publisher=MTV |access-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828225148/http://www.mtv.com/news/1509079/lions-and-madsen-and-every-time-i-die-oh-my/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=Oval Portrait Life In Death |url=http://www.interpunk.com/item.cfm?Item=44516& |access-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828233447/http://www.interpunk.com/item.cfm?Item=44516& |url-status=live }}

File:My Chemical Romance @ McCallum Park (5 2 2012) (6825192746).jpg

In interviews, Way has stated that music and his artwork were effective outlets for his longtime battles against depression, alcoholism, and prescription drug abuse. Using music to resolve personal battles has also led Way to create deeply personal songs such as "Helena", which he wrote in memory of his late grandmother.{{Cite web |last=James Montgomery |title=My Chemical Romance: They're Okay (I Promise) |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/my_chemical_romance/news_feature_022805/ |access-date=February 13, 2014 |publisher=MTVNews.com |archive-date=March 3, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050303033306/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/my_chemical_romance/news_feature_022805/ |url-status=dead }}

On March 22, 2013, My Chemical Romance announced their break up.{{Cite web |date=March 22, 2013 |title=My Chemical Romance |url=http://www.mychemicalromance.com/node/2745481 |publisher=Mychemicalromance.com |access-date=July 2, 2014 |archive-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804094614/http://www.mychemicalromance.com/node/2745481 |url-status=live }}

=2014–2016: ''Hesitant Alien''=

In May 2014, Way launched his Tumblr-based website where he announced that he had signed to Warner Bros. Records as a solo artist and was nearing completion of his first solo album.[http://www.gerardway.com/post/84167917840/welcome-to-the-site/ "Gerard Way – Welcome to this site"]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513032254/http://www.gerardway.com/post/84167917840/welcome-to-the-site/ |date=May 13, 2014 }}

Further to this he announced a new song, "Action Cat", released later in June as a promotional single to his new album{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2014 |title=NME News Gerard Way unveils debut solo single 'Action Cat' - listen - NME.COM |url=https://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/77853 |access-date=October 4, 2014 |publisher=Nme.com |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006093742/http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/77853 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Gerard Way on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/gerardway/status/484923340503531520?lang=en |access-date=November 29, 2015 |website=Twitter |archive-date=January 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121174200/https://twitter.com/gerardway/status/484923340503531520?lang=en |url-status=live }} and his first solo shows at Reading and Leeds Festivals 2014.{{Cite magazine |date=March 29, 2014 |title=Gerard Way to play first solo shows at Reading and Leeds Festivals |url=https://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/77585 |magazine=NME |access-date=June 6, 2014 |archive-date=June 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601033202/http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/77585 |url-status=live }} He later announced another solo performance that took place at Portsmouth's Wedgewood Rooms on August 20.{{Cite web |last=Emily |first=Carter |date=August 18, 2014 |title=Gerard Way announces secret show |url=http://www.kerrang.com/21655/gerard-way-announces-secret-show/ |access-date=August 18, 2014 |website=Kerrang.com |publisher=Kerrang! |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819235708/http://www.kerrang.com/21655/gerard-way-announces-secret-show/ |url-status=live }} On August 19, Way released a music video for the song "No Shows", released as the first single off the new album on August 19.{{Cite web |last=Renshaw |first=David |date=2014-08-19 |title=Gerard Way reveals video for new song 'No Shows' – watch |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gerard-way-0-23-1241900 |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} The album, titled Hesitant Alien, was released on September 30, 2014.{{Cite web |title=Gerard Way |url=http://www.gerardway.com/post/93305079645/gerard-way-to-release-debut-solo-album-hesitant-alien |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730184128/http://www.gerardway.com/post/93305079645/gerard-way-to-release-debut-solo-album-hesitant-alien |archive-date=July 30, 2014 |access-date=October 4, 2014 |publisher=Gerardway.com}}

When Way was asked why he chose to implement the Britpop genre into his music he stated that he enjoyed the energy and style of the music and its scene, and was urged to revive aspects of the genre in America.{{Cite web |last=Montgomery |first=James |title=Inside Gerard Way's Crusade to Change American Music |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/gerard-way-my-chemical-romance-hesitant-alien-britpop-20140820 |access-date=August 21, 2014 |website=Rollingstone.com |date=August 20, 2014 |publisher=Rollingstone |archive-date=October 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008045909/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/gerard-way-my-chemical-romance-hesitant-alien-britpop-20140820 |url-status=live }}

In February and March 2015, Way performed as a solo artist with The Hormones on the main stage of the Australian 2015 Soundwave music festivals, and headlined an additional sideshow in Melbourne.{{Cite web |date=June 28, 2014 |title=Soundwave 2015 Will Be A Two-Day Festival |url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/soundwave-2015-will-be-a-two-day-festival/ |access-date=February 26, 2015 |publisher=MusicFeeds |archive-date=June 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630232942/http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/soundwave-2015-will-be-a-two-day-festival/ |url-status=live }}

In early 2015, it was announced that he would perform at the Boston Calling Music Festival in May 2015.{{Cite web |last=Ollman |first=Jonah |title=Boston Calling Announces May 2015 Lineup |url=http://soundofboston.com/boston-calling-announces-may-2015-lineup/ |access-date=January 15, 2015 |website=Sound of Boston |date=January 13, 2015 |archive-date=February 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206153637/http://soundofboston.com/boston-calling-announces-may-2015-lineup/ |url-status=live }}

On Record Store Day 2016, Way released two exclusive, unreleased tracks from Hesitant Alien titled "Don't Try" and "Pinkish".{{Cite magazine |title=AP staff picks for Record Store Day 2016 |url=http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/ap_staff_picks_record_store_day_2016 |magazine=Alternative Press |access-date=April 23, 2016 |archive-date=April 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418071540/http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/ap_staff_picks_record_store_day_2016 |url-status=live }}

=2018–present: Later solo singles and reunion=

File:Gerard Way, Southampton Guildhall (16208494349).jpg

On October 26, 2018, Way released his first major solo single in over two years, titled "Baby You're a Haunted House". The single features Way's brother and former bandmate, Mikey Way, on bass.{{Cite web |last=Jamieson |first=Brii |date=October 26, 2018 |title=Gerard Way Has Teamed Up With Brother Mikey Way On His New Halloween Single – News |url=https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/gerard-way-has-teamed-up-with-brother-mikey-way-on-his-new-halloween-single |access-date=August 26, 2018 |website=Rock Sound Magazine |language=en |archive-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427001542/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/gerard-way-has-teamed-up-with-brother-mikey-way-on-his-new-halloween-single |url-status=live }} The official lyric video, featuring four skeleton-masked musicians performing the song, was released on YouTube on the same day.{{Cite web |last=Biddulph |first=Andy |title=Gerard Way's New Track 'Baby You're a Haunted House' Proves He's As Skilled of a Songwriter As Ever |url=https://www.rocksound.tv/features/read/gerard-way-is-back-and-has-proven-hes-as-skilled-of-a-songwriter-as-ever |access-date=October 28, 2018 |website=Rock Sound}}{{Cite web |last=Pettigrew |first=Jason |title=Gerard Way Releases New Song, Working on First Album in Four Years |url=https://www.altpress.com/news/gerard-way-baby-youre-a-haunted-house/ |access-date=October 28, 2018 |website=AltPress |date=October 26, 2018 |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028112315/https://www.altpress.com/news/gerard-way-baby-youre-a-haunted-house/ |url-status=live }}

On November 15, Way released another single, "Getting Down the Germs", which was co-written with former bandmate Ray Toro. The single "gives a peek of where [Way] will be headed musically," according to a statement released by Way.{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=November 16, 2019 |title=Hear Gerard Way's Surprise New Song 'Getting Down the Germs' |magazine=Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-gerard-ways-surprise-new-song-getting-down-the-germs-757687/ |access-date=February 8, 2019 |archive-date=April 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424103536/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-gerard-ways-surprise-new-song-getting-down-the-germs-757687/ |url-status=live }}

On December 14, Way released a third single, "Dasher", which features additional vocals from Lydia Night of The Regrettes.{{Cite web |title=Gerard Way Drops New Song 'Dasher' & Festive Video – News |url=https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/gerard-way-drops-new-song-dasher-festive-video |access-date=December 14, 2018 |website=Rock Sound Magazine |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402030545/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/gerard-way-drops-new-song-dasher-festive-video |url-status=live }} The single is a Christmas-themed story about a girl who falls in love with a reindeer as they await to be reunited after a long absence.{{Cite magazine |last=Spanos |first=Brittany |date=December 14, 2018 |title=Hear Gerard Way's Romantic New Christmas Song 'Dasher' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gerard-way-solo-christmas-new-song-dasher-769264/ |access-date=December 18, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508161447/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gerard-way-solo-christmas-new-song-dasher-769264/ |url-status=live }}

On January 24, 2019, Way released a cover of "Hazy Shade of Winter" by Simon & Garfunkel, once again in collaboration with Toro. The song was featured in the trailer for the Netflix television series adaptation of Way's The Umbrella Academy, which was released the same day.{{Cite web |title=Listen to Gerard Way cover Simon & Garfunkel's 'Hazy Shade Of Winter' as trailer for 'The Umbrella Academy' is released |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gerard-way-cover-simon-garfunkel-hazy-shade-winter-trailer-umbrella-academy-2437930 |access-date=January 25, 2019 |website=NME |date=January 24, 2019 |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508161502/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gerard-way-cover-simon-garfunkel-hazy-shade-winter-trailer-umbrella-academy-2437930 |url-status=live }} On February 8, 2019, Way released a cover of "Happy Together" by The Turtles, again featuring Toro. The song also appears on The Umbrella Academy.{{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Rhian |title=Listen to Gerard Way's cover of The Turtles' 'Happy Together' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gerard-way-cover-turtles-happy-together-2445231 |access-date=February 8, 2019 |website=NME |date=February 8, 2019 |archive-date=February 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208202116/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gerard-way-cover-turtles-happy-together-2445231 |url-status=live }}

On October 31, 2019, My Chemical Romance announced they would be reuniting with a date in Los Angeles on December 20 and a new merchandise line.{{Cite web |title=Like Phantoms Forever... Tickets on Sale Friday 11/1/19 at 12:00 PM Pacific |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B4SyPJKBvAr/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/mychemicalromance/2167015313668239403 |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |url-access=subscription|access-date=October 31, 2019 |via=Instagram}}{{cbignore}} They later announced a 2020 North American tour, as well as dates in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. The tour was postponed to 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |title=Check Out My Chemical Romance's Rescheduled US Tour Dates for 2021 |date=June 16, 2020 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/my-chemical-romance-reschedule-us-reunion-tour-for-2021-2689583 |access-date=July 14, 2020 |via=NME |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617195617/https://www.nme.com/news/music/my-chemical-romance-reschedule-us-reunion-tour-for-2021-2689583 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Rachel|date=April 16, 2021|title=My Chemical Romance reschedule tour dates for 2022|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/my-chemical-romance-rescheduled-tour-dates-2022/|access-date=June 11, 2021|website=Alternative Press|language=en-US|archive-date=June 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611134014/https://www.altpress.com/news/my-chemical-romance-rescheduled-tour-dates-2022/|url-status=live}}

On July 8, 2020, Way released an original song titled "Here Comes the End", which features singer Judith Hill and appears on the second season of The Umbrella Academy.{{Cite web |title=My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way Drops New Song, 'Here Comes the End,' From 'Umbrella Academy' (Listen) |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/my-chemical-romance-umbrella-academy-gerard-way-here-comes-the-end-1234701490/ |access-date=July 15, 2020 |website=Variety |date=July 8, 2020 |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508161448/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/my-chemical-romance-umbrella-academy-gerard-way-here-comes-the-end-1234701490/ |url-status=live }}

On November 12, 2024, My Chemical Romance announced the Long Live The Black Parade Tour which would be touring North America in 2025. The tour is a celebration of their third album, The Black Parade. It introduces new story lines that incorporate into the world-building of the original album.{{Cite web |last=Wilson-Taylor |first=James |date=2024-11-12 |title=My Chemical Romance Announce 'Long Live The Black Parade' US Tour |url=https://rocksound.tv/news/my-chemical-romance-announce-long-live-the-black-parade-us-tour |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112201149/https://rocksound.tv/news/my-chemical-romance-announce-long-live-the-black-parade-us-tour |archive-date=2024-11-12 |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=Rock Sound |language=en-GB}}

= Other musical collaborations =

In 2008, Way and musical project Julien-K remixed a version of the song "Sleep When I'm Dead" by The Cure for their EP Hypnagogic States. All profits gained from the sales of the EP go to funding the International Red Cross.{{Cite web |title=Fob Versus the Cure |url=https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/fob-versus-the-cure |access-date=August 28, 2017 |publisher=rocksound.tv |archive-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828232913/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/fob-versus-the-cure |url-status=live }}

In early 2009, Way and Japanese singer Kyosuke Himuro co-produced the new theme song for Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete, the Blu-ray director's cut of the movie sequel to the popular video game, Final Fantasy VII. He is also credited with writing the lyrics, and singing alongside Himuro. The song, titled "Safe and Sound", was released on iTunes on April 29, 2009.{{Cite web |title=Celebrity Bios: Gerard Way |url=http://www.wattpad.com/2454591-celeberity-bios-gerard-way |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140213104159/http://www.wattpad.com/2454591-celeberity-bios-gerard-way |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 13, 2014 |access-date=February 13, 2014 |publisher=Wattpad }} "Safe and Sound" is only heard on the Japanese release of the film; the English release uses Himuro's "Calling" (the original ending theme for Advent Children) in place of it. He also contributed vocals for the vocal mix of the deadmau5 song "Professional Griefers".{{Cite magazine |date=March 22, 2012 |title=MCR's Gerard Way collaborates with Deadmau5 on 'Professional Griefers' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/my-chemical-romance-35-1269525 |magazine=NME |access-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828233414/http://www.nme.com/news/music/my-chemical-romance-35-1269525 |url-status=live }}

A longtime supporter of the British rock band LostAlone, Way is the executive producer of their second studio album I'm a UFO in This City (2012).{{Cite magazine |title=Gerard Way Turns Tipster |url=http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzfps7NAYU1qfx13eo1_1280.jpg |magazine=NME |access-date=June 22, 2012 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203044005/http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzfps7NAYU1qfx13eo1_1280.jpg |url-status=live }}

Way contributed guest vocals to "Falling in Love Will Kill You" from Wrongchilde's debut solo album Gold Blooded, a pseudonym project from Kill Hannah frontman Mat Devine.{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2013 |title=My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way joins forces with Kill Hannah vocalist Mat Devine |url=http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2013/03/kerrang_magazine_060313.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514165917/http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2013/03/kerrang_magazine_060313.html |archive-date=May 14, 2013 |access-date=February 13, 2014 |publisher=Kerrang Magazine}}

In 2015, Way co-wrote and contributed backing vocals to the song "Louder Than Your Love" on Black Veil Brides frontman Andy Black's debut solo album The Shadow Side.{{Cite magazine |title=Gerard Way His the Studio With Andy Biersack |url=http://www.kerrang.com/36052/gerard-way-hits-studio-andy-biersack/ |magazine=Kerrang! |access-date=April 23, 2016 |archive-date=May 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504204059/http://www.kerrang.com/36052/gerard-way-hits-studio-andy-biersack/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |title=Andy Biersack Welcomes Special Guest Gerard Way for Andy Black Album |url=http://loudwire.com/andy-biersack-welcomes-gerard-way-andy-black-album/ |magazine=Loudwire |access-date=April 23, 2016 |archive-date=April 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411220318/http://loudwire.com/andy-biersack-welcomes-gerard-way-andy-black-album/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |title=Andy Biersack reveals exclusive new details on new Andy Black and Black Veil Brides albums |url=http://www.altpress.com/aptv/video/andy_biersack_black_veil_brides_universe |magazine=Alternative Press |access-date=April 23, 2016 |archive-date=April 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417114812/http://www.altpress.com/aptv/video/andy_biersack_black_veil_brides_universe |url-status=live }}

Way featured in Rōnin by Ibaraki in March 2022 alongside Trivium's lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Heafy.{{Cite web|title=Trivium's Matt Heafy shares new Ibaraki single 'Rōnin' featuring Gerard Way|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/triviums-matt-heafy-shares-new-ibaraki-single-ronin-featuring-gerard-way-3191688|date=March 28, 2022|publisher=NME|access-date=April 25, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401203324/https://www.nme.com/news/music/triviums-matt-heafy-shares-new-ibaraki-single-ronin-featuring-gerard-way-3191688|url-status=live}}

Other ventures

=1993–present: Writing=

Way's first attempt at writing a comic was at the age of 16 in 1993, writing a comic book series called On Raven's Wings, published by Hart D. Fisher's Boneyard Press. The series was cancelled after the second issue, however, due to the loss of its art team. Way was credited as Garry Way.{{Cite web |title=Exclusive First Look at MCR's Gerard Way's On Raven's Wings |url=http://www.pulpsecret.com/post/5949/exclusive-first-look-at-mcrs-gerard-ways-on-ravens-wings |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204220325/http://www.pulpsecret.com/post/5949/exclusive-first-look-at-mcrs-gerard-ways-on-ravens-wings |archive-date=February 4, 2010 |publisher=pulpsecret.com}} Retrieved from Internet Archive February 13, 2014.

In 2007, Way began writing the comic-book miniseries The Umbrella Academy. Its first volume, Apocalypse Suite, was first released by Dark Horse Comics in their Free Comic Book Day issue on May 5, 2007.{{Cite web |title=Free Comic Book Day 2007 |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=14-602 |publisher=darkhorse.com |access-date=October 3, 2007 |archive-date=April 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417032313/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/14-602/Free-Comic-Book-Day-2007 |url-status=live }} Since then, an eight-page story has been published entitled "Safe & Sound", which appeared in a collection of stories entitled MySpace Dark Horse Presents Volume One.{{Cite book |title=MySpace Dark Horse Presents Volume One |date=2008 |publisher=Dark Horse |isbn=978-1593079987}} The first official issue of The Umbrella Academy was released on September 19, 2007.{{Cite web |title=Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite #1 |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=14-482 |publisher=darkhorse.com |access-date=October 3, 2007 |archive-date=July 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721045556/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/14-482/Umbrella-Academy-Apocalypse-Suite-1 |url-status=live }} The first issue sold out and consequently there was a second printing released on October 17, 2007.{{Cite web |title=Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite #1 2nd printing |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=14-482+a |publisher=darkhorse.com |access-date=October 3, 2007 |archive-date=July 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724155358/http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=14-482+a |url-status=live }} Apocalypse Suite also won the 2008 Eisner Award for Best Limited Series.{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2008 |title=Eisner Awards Celebrate the Magic of Comics |url=http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_08win.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080824165118/http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_08win.shtml |archive-date=August 24, 2008 |publisher=Comic Con International}} Retrieved from Internet Archive February 13, 2014. The next installment of the series, Dallas, was released on November 26, 2008,{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2008 |title=The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #1 (of 6) |url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/15-604/The-Umbrella-Academy-Dallas-1-of-6 |access-date=December 4, 2008 |publisher=darkhorse.com |archive-date=September 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909202439/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/15-604/The-Umbrella-Academy-Dallas-1-of-6 |url-status=live }} and, following speculation that Way had retired indefinitely from comics, a third installment entitled Hotel Oblivion was released in 2018–2019.{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2019 |title=The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1 |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/17-319/The-Umbrella-Academy-Hotel-Oblivion-1 |access-date=November 16, 2019 |publisher=darkhorse.com |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116173222/https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/17-319/The-Umbrella-Academy-Hotel-Oblivion-1 |url-status=live }}

Way and fellow artists Shaun Simon and Becky Cloonan co-created another comic-book series entitled The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, which Way announced at 2009 San Diego Comic-Con. At the 2012 New York Comic Con, the team announced that the first look at the series would be released on 2013's Free Comic Book Day. The series continued the concepts introduced in the My Chemical Romance album of a similar title.{{Cite web |title=My Chemical Romance Gerard Way Talk Comic-Con 2012 Announcement For Killjoys | date=October 15, 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTkwG26YzEw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/hTkwG26YzEw |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=October 19, 2012 |publisher=Artisan News Service}}{{cbignore}}

In 2011, My Chemical Romance stated that Mikey and Gerard were working on another comic book project which they had kept under wraps since mid-2009. As of 2015 nothing of this project has emerged.{{Cite web |title=Gerard Way Talks New DC Comics Imprint: 'I'm Here for the Long Haul' |date=April 8, 2016 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/gerard-way-talks-new-dc-comics-imprint-im-here-for-the-long-haul-20160407 |access-date=August 28, 2017 |publisher=rollingstone |archive-date=April 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410115257/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/gerard-way-talks-new-dc-comics-imprint-im-here-for-the-long-haul-20160407 |url-status=live }}

On December 21, 2013, Gerard Way stated that he and Gabriel Bá will be working on parts three and four of his comic book series Umbrella Academy beginning in the new year.{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2013 |title=Gerard Way Releasing Umbrella Academy Parts 3 and 4 |url=http://propertyofzack.com/post/70699957803/gerard-way-releasing-umbrella-academy-parts-iii-iv |access-date=February 13, 2014 |publisher=Property of Zack |archive-date=December 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131223062934/http://propertyofzack.com/post/70699957803/gerard-way-releasing-umbrella-academy-parts-iii-iv |url-status=live }}

In a podcast interview on December 31, 2013, with Chris Thompson from Pop Culture Hound, Way discussed his new Umbrella Academy series in more detail and confirmed he would do two volumes back-to-back, with a couple of flashback issues in-between. In addition, he discussed his new comic series All Ages which first appeared as a series of images on his Twitter feed. Although the project doesn't have a publisher or an artist at this stage, he is actively working on the story of cats in high school who are discovering their place in the world.{{Cite web |last=Chris Thompson |date=January 1, 2014 |title=Episode 70 – Talking All Ages & Killjoys with Gerard Way! |url=http://popculturehound.net/episode-70-talking-all-ages-killjoys-with-gerard-way/ |access-date=February 13, 2014 |publisher=Pop Culture Hound |archive-date=February 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210080003/http://popculturehound.net/episode-70-talking-all-ages-killjoys-with-gerard-way/ |url-status=dead }}

In 2014, it was announced that Way will be making his debut in the Marvel Universe by writing for the alternate universe Spider-Man series Edge of Spider-Verse.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Rich |title=Gerard Way To Write A New Spider-Man In September |date=June 6, 2014 |url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/06/06/gerard-way-to-write-a-new-spider-man-in-september/ |access-date=June 6, 2014 |archive-date=June 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606215448/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/06/06/gerard-way-to-write-a-new-spider-man-in-september/ |url-status=live }} His story introduced Peni Parker, a Japanese-American student who pilots a bio-mechanical suit named SP//dr.{{Cite magazine |last=Kaye |first=Don |date=October 14, 2014 |title=The Lead Singer and the Web-Slinger: Gerard Way Talks 'Spider-Man' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/the-lead-singer-and-the-web-slinger-gerard-way-talks-spider-man-238826/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205172721/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/the-lead-singer-and-the-web-slinger-gerard-way-talks-spider-man-238826/ |url-status=live }}

On March 21, 2024, Way announced a new comic book series Paranoid Gardens, with the first issue releasing in July.{{cite web |last1=Wiseman |first1=Andreas |title=Gerard Way, 'The Umbrella Academy' Comics Creator & My Chemical Romance Frontman, Launches New Dark Horse Horror Comic |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/gerard-way-chemical-romance-umbrella-academy-comic-series-1235865261/ |website=Deadline |date=21 March 2024 |access-date=March 30, 2024 |archive-date=March 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330033950/https://deadline.com/2024/03/gerard-way-chemical-romance-umbrella-academy-comic-series-1235865261/ |url-status=live }}

=2001–present: Television=

In 2001, Way co-created a cartoon with Joe Boyle called The Breakfast Monkey. They pitched it to Cartoon Network, but the network declined to pick up the concept on the grounds that it was too similar to the existing property Aqua Teen Hunger Force.{{Cite web |title=Gerard Way Biography |url=http://www.tv.com/gerard-way/person/441539/biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080713175349/http://www.tv.com/gerard-way/person/441539/biography.html |archive-date=July 13, 2008 |access-date=September 14, 2007 |publisher=TV.com}}

In 2013, Way made his television directorial debut on The Hub original series The Aquabats! Super Show!, co-directing and co-writing the season two finale "The AntiBats!" with series co-creators Christian Jacobs and Jason deVilliers. Additionally, Way's brother Mikey appears in the episode, playing the lead singer of a fictional death metal band called Asthma.{{Cite web |last=Wiederhorn, Jon |date=May 22, 2013 |title=My Chemical Romance Vocalist Gerard Way Co-Writes Episode for Kids' TV Series 'The Aquabats! Super Show!'; Continues to Work on New Music |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/chemical-romance-vocalist-gerard-way-co-writes-episode-190859345.html |publisher=Yahoo! Music |access-date=June 29, 2013 |archive-date=November 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113171332/https://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/chemical-romance-vocalist-gerard-way-co-writes-episode-190859345.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Frederick, Brittany |date=June 1, 2013 |title=Christian Jacobs dishes on the Gerard Way-directed episode of 'The Aquabats! Super Show!' |url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/Brittany_Frederick/2013/06/01/christian_jacobs_dishes_on_the_gerard_ |publisher=Starpulse |access-date=June 29, 2013 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201428/http://www.starpulse.com/news/Brittany_Frederick/2013/06/01/christian_jacobs_dishes_on_the_gerard_ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=Nordyke, Kimberly |date=May 30, 2013 |title=My Chemical Romance Alums Join Forces With 'Aquabats!' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/my-chemical-romance-alums-aquabats-560018 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017203214/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/my-chemical-romance-alums-aquabats-560018 |url-status=live }} The following year, Way, as part of the show's writing team, was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Writing in a Children's Series".{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2014 |title=24 Daytime Emmy Award Nominations for Hub Network |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/05/01/24-daytime-emmy-award-nominations-for-hub-network/259634/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502065141/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/05/01/24-daytime-emmy-award-nominations-for-hub-network/259634/ |archive-date=May 2, 2014 |publisher=TV by the Numbers}}

In 2018, the character Peni Parker who he co-created appeared in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.{{Cite web |last=Dietsch |first=TJ |date=December 18, 2018 |title=Spider-Verse: Everything You Need to Know About Peni Parker and SP{{//}}dr |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/spider-verse-everything-you-need-to-know-about-peni-parker-and-sp-dr |website=Marvel |access-date=January 13, 2020 |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812102549/https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/spider-verse-everything-you-need-to-know-about-peni-parker-and-sp-dr |url-status=live}}

Way served as co-executive producer on the television series adaptation of The Umbrella Academy for its entire run from 2019 to 2024.{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2007553/ |title=Gerard Way|website=IMDb |access-date=January 13, 2020 |archive-date=August 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823223326/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2007553/ |url-status=live}}

Artistry

Some have suggested Way's name to be synonymous with the emo genre. According to Alternative Press Magazine, "When people think of emo, the My Chemical Romance frontman usually comes to the front of mind. [...] Way’s vocals ripple with emotional intensity and passion, leaning into darkness as much as hope." Vocally, Way was influenced by Queen and britpop music. Way's lyrics incorporate a narrative format. His live performances have been described as "theatrical [and] soul-baring."{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Alternative Press |title=Fan poll: 5 best emo vocalists of all time |url=https://www.altpress.com/fan-poll-best-emo-vocalists/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Alternative Press Magazine |language=en-US}} Andrew Sacher of BrooklynVegan said "My Chem were really just more suited for arenas than basements in the first place. Gerard Way’s theatrical star power is undeniable; he was meant to share it with the world."{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |title=15 Best Emo & Post-Hardcore Albums of 2004 |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/15-best-emo-post-hardcore-albums-of-2004/ |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}

Personal life

File:Gerard Way 2012 cropped.jpg

Way struggled with alcoholism and prescription drug addiction for many years but as of 2007 was maintaining sobriety. In a November 2010 issue of Spin magazine, he said that having become a happier person and feeling more in control, he had been able to enjoy the occasional recreational drink.{{Cite web |last=Eells |first=Josh |date=November 16, 2010 |title=My Chemical Romance Bounce Back From The Brink |url=https://www.spin.com/2005/05/my-chemical-romance/-bounce-back-brink |access-date=November 7, 2012 |publisher=Spin.com}}

On September 3, 2007, after a concert in Colorado, Way married Lyn-Z, bassist of Mindless Self Indulgence, backstage on the final date of the Projekt Revolution tour. A member of Live Nation's touring staff who was also an ordained minister performed the low-key ceremony.{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2007 |title=MCR: Gerard ties the knot |url=http://www2.kerrang.com/2007/09/mcr_gerard_ties_the_knot.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070909100026/http://www2.kerrang.com/2007/09/mcr_gerard_ties_the_knot.html |archive-date=September 9, 2007 |access-date=September 5, 2007 |publisher=Kerrang Magazine}} Their daughter was born on May 27, 2009. They live in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2008 |title=Interview with Kevin & Bean |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOQfcVf8iUQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/DOQfcVf8iUQ |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=February 13, 2014 |publisher=KROQ}}{{cbignore}}

Way was raised Catholic, stating in 2006 that he was "not Catholic anymore",{{Cite news |last=Di Perna |first=Alan |date=2006 |title=Black Ambition |pages=61 |work=Guitar World Magazine (Holiday 2006) |asin=B002G73RNC}} and in 2013 that he was a theist who "had always acknowledged [he] received [...] artistic gifts from God".{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2013 |title=@gerardway on TwitLonger |url=http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1rk8kju |access-date=June 27, 2022 |website=www.twitlonger.com |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008162759/https://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1rk8kju |url-status=live }}

In 2014, Way began openly discussing his gender identity struggles online and in interviews. In a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) hosted by Way in October 2014, he stated: "I have always been extremely sensitive to those that have gender identity issues as I feel like I have gone through it as well, if even on a smaller scale. I have always identified a fair amount with the female gender, and began at a certain point in MCR to express this through my look and performance style. So it's no surprise that all of my inspirations and style influences were pushing gender boundaries. Freddy [sic] Mercury, Bowie, Iggy, early glam, T-Rex. Masculinity to me has always made me feel like it wasn't right for me."{{Cite web |title=15 Things We Learned From Gerard Way's Reddit AMA |url=http://www.kerrang.com/23452/15-things-learned-gerard-ways-reddit-ama/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704211824/http://www.kerrang.com/23452/15-things-learned-gerard-ways-reddit-ama/ |archive-date=2015-07-04 |access-date=2015-06-03 |website=Kerrang.com}}{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Maria |title=My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way Opens Up About Gender Identity |url=https://fuse.tv/2014/10/my-chemical-romance-gerard-way-gender-identity |access-date=2019-12-02 |website=Fuse.TV |archive-date=February 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222152011/https://fuse.tv/2014/10/my-chemical-romance-gerard-way-gender-identity |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=r/IAmA – I am Gerard Way, musician, artist, creator, and cousin of Joe Rogan- Ask me anything! PS my album Hesitant Alien just came out. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2i1840/i_am_gerard_way_musician_artist_creator_and/ |website=reddit |date=October 2014 |access-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-date=September 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902202634/https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2i1840/i_am_gerard_way_musician_artist_creator_and/ |url-status=live }}

In January 2015, Way was featured in The Boyzine, an independent zine published by SWMRS frontman Cole Becker. Way again discussed his gender identity, commenting: "I never really subscribed to the archetype masculinity growing up, I had no interest in sports or anything like that. There was a time where I was called a girl so often that when I discovered the idea of transgenderism I considered myself to be more of a girl. So I identify with trans people and women a lot because I was a girl to a lot of people growing up."{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2015 |title=I Considered Myself To Be More Of A Girl" A Conversation With Gerard… |url=http://theboyzine.com/2015/01/i-considered-myself-to-be-more-of-a-girl-a-conversation-with-gerard-way/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150119081928/http://theboyzine.com/2015/01/i-considered-myself-to-be-more-of-a-girl-a-conversation-with-gerard-way/ |archive-date=January 19, 2015 |access-date=June 3, 2015 |df=mdy-all}} In June 2015, Way said on Twitter that he uses he and they pronouns.

In 2015, Way revealed on Reddit that he is a first cousin once removed of comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan. In October 2019, Rogan confirmed it on his podcast. He also said that, despite this, the two have never met.{{Cite web |last=Reilly |first=Nick |date=October 31, 2019 |title=Joe Rogan and My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way are cousins |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/joe-rogan-is-cousins-with-my-chemical-romances-gerard-way-2562971 |access-date=December 2, 2019 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031215950/https://www.nme.com/news/music/joe-rogan-is-cousins-with-my-chemical-romances-gerard-way-2562971 |url-status=live }}

Discography

{{Main|Gerard Way discography}}

{{See also|My Chemical Romance discography|List of songs recorded by My Chemical Romance}}

=Studio albums=

== Other recordings ==

  • "O Waly, Waly" (2014){{Cite news |last=Stubbs |first=Dan |date=October 25, 2018 |title=MCR's Gerard Way records 'achingly beautiful' track for new Kevin Smith film 'Tusk' |work=NME |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nme-608-1234399 |access-date=April 10, 2014 |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026104534/https://www.nme.com/news/music/nme-608-1234399 |url-status=live }}
  • "Pinkish" / "Don't Try" (2016){{Cite news |last=Zaleski |first=Annie |date=April 14, 2016 |title=Here are our AP staff picks for Record Store Day 2016 |work=Alternative Press |url=https://www.altpress.com/features/ap_staff_picks_record_store_day_2016/ |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017203052/https://www.altpress.com/features/ap_staff_picks_record_store_day_2016/ |url-status=live }}
  • "Into the Cave We Wander" (with Ray Toro, 2016){{Cite news |last=Lu |first=Alexander |date=October 10, 2016 |title=If you got Gerard Way's and Ray Toro's Cassette at NYCC, consider yourself rich |publisher=The Beat |url=http://www.comicsbeat.com/if-you-got-gerard-ways-and-ray-toros-cassette-at-nycc-consider-yourself-rich/ |access-date=October 12, 2016 |archive-date=October 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011164709/http://www.comicsbeat.com/if-you-got-gerard-ways-and-ray-toros-cassette-at-nycc-consider-yourself-rich/ |url-status=live }}
  • "Baby You're a Haunted House" (2018){{Cite news |last=Blais-Billie |first=Braudie |date=October 25, 2018 |title=My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way Shares New Solo Song: Listen |work=Pitchfork |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/my-chemical-romances-gerard-way-shares-new-solo-song-listen/ |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026081924/https://pitchfork.com/news/my-chemical-romances-gerard-way-shares-new-solo-song-listen/ |url-status=live }}
  • "Getting Down the Germs" (2018)
  • "Dasher" (featuring Lydia Night, 2018){{Cite news |last=Wilson-Taylor |first=James |date=December 14, 2018 |title=Gerard Way Drops New Song 'Dasher' & Festive Video |work=Rock Sound |url=https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/gerard-way-drops-new-song-dasher-festive-video |access-date=February 8, 2019 |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402030545/https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/gerard-way-drops-new-song-dasher-festive-video |url-status=live }}
  • "Hazy Shade of Winter" (featuring Ray Toro, 2019){{Cite news |last=Romain |first=Lindsey |date=January 24, 2019 |title=Listen to Gerard Way's New Umbrella Academy Song, 'Hazy Shade of Winter' |publisher=Nerdist Industries |url=https://nerdist.com/article/umbrella-academy-song-hazy-shade-of-winter-gerard-way/ |access-date=February 8, 2019 |archive-date=February 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124742/https://nerdist.com/article/umbrella-academy-song-hazy-shade-of-winter-gerard-way/ |url-status=live }}
  • "Happy Together" (featuring Ray Toro, 2019){{Cite news |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=February 8, 2019 |title=Listen to Gerard Way's cover of The Turtles' 'Happy Together' |work=NME |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gerard-way-cover-turtles-happy-together-2445231 |access-date=February 8, 2019 |archive-date=February 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208202116/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gerard-way-cover-turtles-happy-together-2445231 |url-status=live }}
  • "Here Comes the End" (featuring Judith Hill, 2020){{Cite magazine |last=Exposito |first=Suzy |author-link=Suzy Exposito |date=July 8, 2020 |title=Gerard Way Drops Glam Rock Song 'Here Comes the End' |magazine=Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/gerard-way-here-comes-the-end-umbrella-academy-1023706/ |access-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709113746/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/gerard-way-here-comes-the-end-umbrella-academy-1023706/ |url-status=live }}

== Guest performances ==

  • "Jet Black New Year" (by Thursday, backing vocals, 2002)
  • "Devil in Mexico" (by Murder by Death, backing vocals, 2003)
  • "Barnabus Collins Has More Skeletons in His Closet than Vincent Price" (by The Oval Portrait, backing vocals, 2003)
  • "From My Cold Dead Hands" (by The Oval Portrait, backing vocals, 2003)
  • "Kill the Music" (by Every Time I Die, backing vocals, 2005)
  • "Graduation Day" (by Head Automatica, backing vocals, 2006)
  • "In Defense of the Genre" (by Say Anything, backing vocals, 2007)
  • "Safe and Sound" (by Kyosuke Himuro, vocals, 2009)
  • "My Space" (by Evelyn Evelyn, backing vocals, 2010)
  • "Professional Griefers" (by Deadmau5, vocals, 2012)
  • "Falling in Love (Will Kill You)" (by Wrongchilde, vocals, 2014)
  • "Louder Than Your Love" (by Andy Black, backing vocals, 2016){{Cite web |date=May 5, 2016 |title=Louder Than Your Love |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF280_R6WJM |access-date=October 26, 2016 |publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}
  • "Sailor in a Life Boat" (by Euringer, backing vocals, 2018){{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Rachel |date=October 10, 2018 |title=Hear Gerard Way sing on Jimmy Urine's new track, 'Sailor In A Life Boat' |work=Alternative Press |url=https://www.altpress.com/features/jimmy-urine-gerard-way-sailor-in-a-life-boat/ |access-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211193505/https://www.altpress.com/features/jimmy-urine-gerard-way-sailor-in-a-life-boat/ |url-status=live }}
  • "Rōnin" (by Ibaraki, unclean vocals, 2022){{Cite news |first=Emily |last=Carter |url=https://www.kerrang.com/ibaraki-triviums-matthew-kiichi-heafy-announces-new-album-featuring-nergal-gerard-way |title=Ibaraki (Trivium's Matthew Kiichi Heafy) announces album featuring Nergal, Gerard Way |work=Kerrang! |access-date=December 31, 2022 |date=February 18, 2022 |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222215554/https://www.kerrang.com/ibaraki-triviums-matthew-kiichi-heafy-announces-new-album-featuring-nergal-gerard-way |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Sacher |first1=Andrew |title=Here's Gerard Way's black metal song with members of Trivium and Emperor |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/heres-gerard-ways-black-metal-song-with-members-of-trivium-and-emperor/ |website=BrooklynVegan |date=March 25, 2022 |access-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102230248/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/heres-gerard-ways-black-metal-song-with-members-of-trivium-and-emperor/ |url-status=live }}

== Remixes ==

Bibliography

= Story credits =

== Series ==

  • On Raven's Wings #1–2 (penciller Jose Santos, inker Dana Greene, letterer T. Warren Montgomery, cover artist Rob Nemeth, Boneyard Press, 1994)
  • The Umbrella Academy
  • The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite #1–6 (artist Gabriel Bá, colorist Dave Stewart, letterer Nate Piekos, cover artist James Jean, Dark Horse Comics, 2007–2008)
  • The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #1–6 (artist Gabriel Bá, colorist Dave Stewart, letterer Nate Piekos, Dark Horse, 2008–2009)
  • The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1–7 (artist Gabriel Bá, colorist Nick Filardi, letterer Nate Piekos, Dark Horse, 2018–2019)
  • You Look Like Death: Tales from the Umbrella Academy #1–6 (co-writer Shaun Simon, artist Ian Culbard, letterer Nate Piekos, cover artist Gabriel Bá, Dark Horse, 2020–2021)
  • The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys
  • The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #1–6 (co-writer Shaun Simon, artist Becky Cloonan, colorist Dan Jackson, letterer Nate Piekos, Dark Horse, 2013–2014)
  • The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: National Anthem #1–6 (co-writer Shaun Simon, artist Leonardo Romero, colorist Jordie Bellaire, letterer Nate Piekos, Dark Horse, 2020–2021)
  • Doom Patrol
  • Doom Patrol (vol. 6) #1–12 (artist Nick Derington, colorist Tamra Bonvillain, letterer Todd Klein, guest artist Mike Allred, guest colorist Laura Allred, additional inker Tom Fowler, DC's Young Animal, 2016–2018)
  • Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds #1–4, 6–7 (co-writers Jeremy Lambert and Steve Orlando; artists James Harvey, Evan "Doc" Shaner, Nick Pitarra, and Nick Derington; inker Mike Allred; colorists James Harvey, Sahan Rai, and Tamara Bonvillain; letterers James Harvey and Simon Bowland; DC's Young Animal; 2019–2020)
  • Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #1–12 (co-writer Jon Rivera, artist Michael Avon Oeming, colorist Nick Filardi, letterer Clem Robins, DC's Young Animal, 2016–2017)
  • Paranoid Gardens #1–6 (co-writer Shaun Simon, artist Chris Weston, colorist Dave Stewart, letterer Nate Piekos, Dark Horse, 2024)

== Short stories and single issues ==

  • The Umbrella Academy
  • "Mon Dieu!" (artist Gabriel Bá, colorist Dan Jackson, letterer Jason Hvam, appeared on darkhorse.com, 2006)
  • "...But the Past Ain't Through with You." (artist Gabriel Bá, colorist Dan Jackson, letterer Nate Piekos, appeared in Free Comic Book Day 2007, Dark Horse, 2007)
  • "Safe & Sound" (artist Gabriel Bá, colorist Dave Stewart, letterer Nate Piekos, appeared in MySpace Dark Horse Presents #1, Dark Horse, 2007)
  • "Anywhere but Here" (artist Gabriel Bá, colorist Dave Stewart, letterer Nate Piekos, appeared in MySpace Dark Horse Presents #12, Dark Horse, 2008)
  • "Hazel and Cha Cha Save Christmas" (co-writer Scott Allie, artist Tommy Lee Edwards, letterer John Workman, appeared in Hazel and Cha Cha Save Christmas: Tales from the Umbrella Academy, Dark Horse, 2019)
  • "The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: Dead Satellites" (co-writer Shaun Simon, artist Becky Cloonan, colorist Dan Jackson, letterer Nate Piekos, appeared in Free Comic Book Day 2013, Dark Horse, 2013)
  • "One Thing's for Sure: SP//dr Is Still Intact" (artist Jack Wyatt, colorist Ian Herring, letterer Clayton Cowles, appeared in Edge of Spider-Verse #5, Marvel Comics, 2014)
  • "Untitled" (artist Philip Bond, colorist Hi-Fi, letterer Sal Cipriano, appeared in Vertigo Quarterly CMYK #3: Yellow, Vertigo, 2014)
  • "DC's Young Animal Mixtape" (artist Mike Allred, colorist Laura Allred, letterer Carlos M. Mangual, appeared in DC's Young Animal Mixtape Sampler #1, DC's Young Animal, 2017)
  • "Joan of Arc" (artist Marley Zarcone, colorist Hi-Fi, letterer Aditya Bidikar, appeared in Femme Magnifique, {{ISBN|978-0985712044}}, Hi-Fi Academy Press, 2017)
  • "Milk Wars" Part One (co-writer Steve Orlando, artists Aco, colorists Tamra Bonvillain and Marissa Louise, letterer Clem Robins, additional artist Hugo Petrus, appeared in JLA/Doom Patrol Special #1, DC Comics / DC's Young Animal, 2018)
  • "Untitled" (artist Robert Wilson IV, colorist Kelly Fitzpatrick, letterer Ryan Ferrier, appeared in The Secret Loves of Geeks, {{ISBN|978-1506704739}}, Dark Horse, 2018)
  • "Milk Wars" Part Four (co-writer Steve Orlando; artists Dale Eaglesham and Nick Derington; colorists Tamra Bonvillain and Marissa Louise; letterer Clem Robins; additional artists Sonny Liew, Ibrahim Moustafa, Michael Avon Oeming, and Marley Zarcone; appeared in Doom Patrol/JLA Special #1; DC / DC's Young Animal; 2018)
  • "Edge of Spider-Geddon" Part Two (co-writer Lonnie Nadler and Zac Thompson, artist Alberto Alburquerque, colorist Tríona Farrell, letterer Cory Petit, additional artist Jack Wyatt, additional colorist Ian Herring, appeared in Edge of Spider-Geddon #2, Marvel, 2018)
  • "Caught in a Mosh" (co-writer Mikey Way, artists Darick Robertson and Phillip Sevy, colorist Aladdin Collar, letterer AndWorld Design, appeared in Anthrax: Among the Living, {{ISBN|978-1940878591}}, Z2 Comics, 2021)

= Interior art credits =

  • "Even Gunfighters Get the Willies" (writer Deb Picker, appeared in The Big Book of the Weird Wild West, {{ISBN|978-1563893612}}, Paradox Press, 1998)

= Cover art credits =

  • The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite #1 (variant) (Dark Horse, 2007)
  • Rex Mundi (vol. 2) #15 (cover colorist Dave Stewart, Dark Horse, 2008)
  • The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #1 (1:50 variant) (Dark Horse, 2013)
  • The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #1 (Ghost variant) (Dark Horse, 2013)
  • Neverboy #1 (variant) (Dark Horse, 2015)

Filmography

class="wikitable sortable"

!Year

!Title

!Credit

!Notes

2011

|Yo Gabba Gabba!

|Himself

|Episode: "A Very Awesome Christmas"{{Cite web |last=Schiller |first=Rebecca |date=December 7, 2011 |title=My Chemical Romance Perform On 'Yo Gabba Gabba!' |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/my-chemical-romance-perform-on-yo-gabba-gabba-31830 |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120015930/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/my-chemical-romance-perform-on-yo-gabba-gabba-31830 |url-status=live }}

2013

|The Aquabats! Super Show!

|Co-writer, co-director

|Episode: "Anti-bats!"{{Cite web |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=May 30, 2013 |title=My Chemical Romance Alums Join Forces With 'Aquabats!' (Exclusive Video) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/my-chemical-romance-alums-aquabats-560018/ |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508161540/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/my-chemical-romance-alums-aquabats-2-560018/ |url-status=live }}

2015{{Cite web |last=Whitt |first=Cassie |date=January 30, 2015 |title=Gerard Way gives the Weekend Pancake Report, Jimmy Urine & Chantal Claret rap on punk-rock kids show |url=https://www.altpress.com/gerard_way_gives_the_weekend_pancake_report_jimmy_urine_chantal_claret_rap/ |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=Alternative Press |language=en |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120015936/https://www.altpress.com/gerard_way_gives_the_weekend_pancake_report_jimmy_urine_chantal_claret_rap/ |url-status=live }}

|Pancake Mountain

|Himself

|

2019–2024

|The Umbrella Academy

|Co-executive producer

|

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{wikiquote}}

{{Commons category}}

  • {{Official website}}
  • {{iMDb name|2007553}}
  • {{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=8521|title=Gerard Way}}
  • {{gcdb|type=credit|search=Gerard+Way|title=Gerard Way}}

{{Gerard Way|state=expanded}}

{{My Chemical Romance}}

{{The Umbrella Academy}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Way, Gerard}}

Category:1977 births

Category:21st-century American male singers

Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters

Category:21st-century American writers

Category:American comics writers

Category:Marvel Comics writers

Category:DC Comics people

Category:American male singer-songwriters

Category:American people of Scottish descent

Category:American rock songwriters

Category:American rock singers

Category:American writers of Italian descent

Category:American tenors

Category:Kerrang! Awards winners

Category:Living people

Category:My Chemical Romance members

Category:People from Belleville, New Jersey

Category:People from West New York, New Jersey

Category:School of Visual Arts alumni

Category:Singer-songwriters from New Jersey

Category:Writers from Essex County, New Jersey

Category:Writers from Hudson County, New Jersey

Category:Belleville High School (New Jersey) alumni