Co-creator of The Simpsons, Sam Simon, has lost a long-running battle with cancer, passing away aged 59.
A nine-time Emmy award winner for his role as a writer, director and executive producer on The Simpsons, Simon was diagnosed with terminal colorectal cancer in late 2012. News of his passing was confirmed by Simpsons showrunner Al Jean on Monday.
A writer and producer on shows such as Cheers and The Drew Carey Show, Simon would later develop The Simpsons with co-creators Matt Groening and James L Brooks in the late 80s.
“We will miss Sam’s phenomenal talents, sharp intelligence, and sly sense of humor.” Groening said in a statement.
He left the show in 1993, while retaining an executive producer title, before devoting himself as a philanthropist for animals with his own Sam Simon Foundation while also funding the 96-year-old Save The Children organisation.
“I think Sam died with a smile on his face, knowing that elephants were on their way out of the circus, something that … he dreamt of and talked about all the time,” PETA president, Ingrid Newkirk, said in a statement. “I hope everyone who knew Sam or hears about his great kindness to veterans, to animals, and to all will do something kind themselves in his honor.”
“I have a desire to help animals,” Simon said in an interview with Reuters last year. “The question of whether it makes financial sense, it’s my money and I get to do what I want with it. It’s an expensive hobby I picked up at the end of my life.”
Simon kick started his successful career on animated comedies Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids and Mighty Mouse before working on Taxi, Garry Shandling’s Show and The Tracy Ullman Show.
Simon is passing on his $100 million fortune to charity.
Photo: Araya Diaz/Getty Images.
