Sam Simon passes away aged 59
To the casual TV viewer his name might be one of the familiar ones that pop up on the TV screen when Homer, Marge and the family settle down to watch TV, but to fans of The Simpsons the influence of Sam Simon, who has passed away aged 59, stretched beyond a mere mention at the beginning of the show.
Simon died after a battle with colon cancer, having been diagnosed in 2012. His career included writing for Cheers, Taxi and The Tracy Ulman Show before he went on to co-create and develop The Simpsons with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks. His influence on the show was lead to him being described by Brad Bird as “the unsung hero of the show.”
Although he left the show in 1993 his more recognisable contributions include writing and co-writing the early episodes The Telltale Head, The Crepes of Wrath, Black Widower and The Raven segment in Treehouse of Horror amongst others. He also pitched the idea for Homers delightfully drooly dreamscape as he gambols through the “land of chocolate” arguably one of the most popular character sequences the show has ever produced.
Colleagues and associates have begun offering their own condolences on twitter.
.@thesimpsons #everysimpsonsever Just heard terrible news of death of @simonsam. A great man; I owe him everything.
— Al Jean (@AlJean) March 9, 2015
Al Jean, Simpsons showrunner
Rest in peace and thank you for The Simpsons, Sam Simon. — Hank Azaria (@HankAzaria) March 9, 2015
Hank Azaria, voice artist
RIP @simonsam – a great man. Thanks for believing in me & all the encouragement, thanks for everything. @thesimpsons #everysimpsonsever
— David Silverman (@tubatron) March 9, 2015
David Silverman, Director
Simon has donated much of his fortune to animal welfare causes, reportedly buying zoos with his fortune to free the animals before his death. He also founded the Sam Simon foundation, offering a mobile clinic for pets. He was also a supporter of Save the Children, PETA and the Sea Shepard Conservation Society.
Sam Simon
6th June 1955 – 8th March 2015