It is with a heavy heart that I bring the news that writer, producer, and director Sam Simon has passed away at the age of 59. While Simon did work on a number of legendary television shows, including Taxi and Cheers, he is best remembered for his role in developing The Simpsons with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks for television. Though he left the show in 1993, Simon was instrumental in shaping the sense of humor that would come to define the show during its best years. After leaving The Simpsons, Simon created The George Carlin Show, featuring, of course, legendary stand-up George Carlin. After that show was cancelled, Simon moved on to directing various television episodes for series like Friends to The Drew Carey Show.
In 2012, Simon was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Having earned a sizable fortune from his work on The Simpsons, Simon arranged for a majority of his estate to be left to various charities that are focused on animal rights. As Simon told The Hollywood Reporter in 2013, “The truth is, I have more money than I’m interested in spending. Everyone in my family is taken care of. And I enjoy this.”
Within the realm of pop culture and far removed as well, Sam Simon left behind a robust legacy that will endure the test of time. When faced with the worst possible news, Simon ensured that his time left would be spent doing what he believed was right. If only we all could be so brave when it matters most.
Below we have collected some remembrances from people who worked with Sam Simon and other who have been touched by his work.
.@thesimpsons #everysimpsonsever Just heard terrible news of death of @simonsam. A great man; I owe him everything.
— Al Jean (@AlJean) March 9, 2015
.@thesimpsons #everysimpsonsever If you would like to honor Sam’s memory, do something nice for the next animal you meet. An enormous loss.
— Al Jean (@AlJean) March 9, 2015
RIP @simonsam – a great man. Thanks for believing in me & all the encouragement, thanks for everything. @thesimpsons #everysimpsonsever
— David Silverman (@tubatron) March 9, 2015
Essential advice to writers from the late Sam Simon: “Love your characters.”
— Matt Selman (@mattselman) March 9, 2015
Sam Simon, you gave the world something amazing & wonderful. Sounds corny, but thank you for the gift of laughter. You are so missed.
— Josh Weinstein (@Joshstrangehill) March 9, 2015
Sorry to hear about the passing of Sam Simon, he was a complex and interesting friend who hired me for projects when no one else would. RIP
— Joel Hodgson (@JoelGHodgson) March 9, 2015
The Simpsons raised me more than my family, so Sam Simon's death is like the passing of a relative who has improved your life immeasurably.
— Nathan Rabin (@nathanrabin) March 9, 2015
Rest in Peace Sam Simon, absolutely unparalleled creative and comic genius
— Bill Oakley (@thatbilloakley) March 9, 2015
thank you sam simon. you shaped my generation. we'll always be in your debt. sorry this was the best pic i could find pic.twitter.com/05BMnm5SBd
— josh BENGHAZsky (@ShutUpAndrosky) March 9, 2015
Just heard about Sam Simon. So sorry to hear of his passing. Extraordinary talent, extraordinary human being.
— Brian Lynch (@BrianLynch) March 9, 2015
I had the great honor of knowing Sam Simon and working with him. A great comedy writer and a great guy. Rest in Peace.
— Frank Conniff (@FrankConniff) March 9, 2015
Aside from making a ton of great TV, Sam Simon always struck me as one of the great "Life as Art" artists ever. RIP.
— J. Elvis Weinstein (@JElvisWeinstein) March 9, 2015
){kind=link}