Sam Simon

Sam Simon
Simon at the 2008 World Series of Poker
Born	Samuel Michael Simon (1955-06-06)June 6, 1955 Los Angeles, California, United States
Died	March 8, 2015(2015-03-08) (aged 59) Pacific Palisades, California, United States
Cause of death	Colorectal cancer
Occupation	Director, producer, writer, boxing manager, philanthropist
Years active	1979–2015
Known for	The Simpsons
Spouse(s)	Jennifer Tilly (1984–91; divorced) Jami Ferrell (2000; divorced)
Partner(s)	Kate Porter (2012–15)

Samuel Michael "Sam" Simon (June 6, 1955 – March 8, 2015) was an American director, producer, writer, animal rights activist, boxing manager, tournament poker player, and philanthropist, most noted as co-developer of the television series The Simpsons.

While at Stanford University, Simon worked as a newspaper cartoonist and after graduating became a storyboard artist at Filmation Studios. Simon submitted a spec script for the sitcom Taxi, which was produced, and he later became the series' showrunner. Over the next few years, Simon wrote and produced for Cheers, It's Garry Shandling's Show and other programs, as well as writing the 1991 film The Super.

In 1989, Simon developed the animated sitcom The Simpsons with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks. Simon assembled the show's first writing team, co-wrote eight episodes and has been credited with "developing [the show's] sensibility". Simon's relationship with Groening was strained and he left the show in 1993, negotiating a pay-off which saw him receive tens of millions of dollars from the show's revenue each year. The following year Simon co-created The George Carlin Show, before later working as a director on shows such as The Drew Carey Show. Simon won nine Primetime Emmy Awards for his television work.