Sam Simon, a co-creator of “The Simpsons” and animal-rights advocate who made a midlife career shift into philanthropy and channeled much of his personal fortune into social causes, has died.
Simon died Sunday at his Pacific Palisades, Calif., home, his agent, Andy Patman, said. He was 59 and had been diagnosed with advanced colon cancer in 2011.
After stints writing for “Taxi,” “Cheers” and “The Tracey Ullman Show,” Simon helped launch “The Simpsons.” During his writing and producing career, he collected nine prime-time Emmy awards.
He left “The Simpsons” after its fourth season under a deal that rewarded him with ongoing royalties from the show, which is now in its 26th season.