Sam Simon, Co-Creator of “The Simpsons” Passes Away

Sam Simon, a co-creator of Fox’s long-running hit animated series “The Simpsons” and an ardent philanthropist for animals, died after a battle with colon cancer, his agent said on Monday. He was 59. “The Simpsons” co-creator Matt Groening, who worked with Simon to develop the show for Fox’s broadcast channel, said in a statement, “We will miss Sam’s phenomenal talents, sharp intelligence, and sly sense of humour.”

Executive producer and showrunner Al Jean added, “I personally owe him more than can be repaid, but I will do my best to help every animal I can in his memory.”

Doctors first gave Simon three to six months to live when he was diagnosed with incurable colon cancer in 2012. Simon, who had founded the Sam Simon Foundation in 2002, decided to give away his fortune, estimated by media at $100 million.