Variety is reporting that nine-time Emmy winner and co-creator of The Simpsons Sam Simon passed away Sunday of colorectal cancer at his home in L.A.
In addition to developing The Simpsons with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks and writing nearly a dozen episodes during his time on the series, Simon also worked on Taxi, Cheers, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, and The Tracey Ullman Show. Simon left The Simpsons in 1993 but kept his executive producer credit; according to series writer Ken Levine “the real creative force behind The Simpsons was Sam Simon. The tone, the storytelling, the level of humor—that was all developed on Sam’s watch.”
A devoted philanthropist and life-long animal lover, in 2012 Simon began buying zoos and circuses to free animals after receiving his terminal cancer diagnosis. In his work with the Sam Simon Foundation he also funded a mobile veterinary clinic, created service and therapy dog programs, and distributed groceries to struggling families.
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