SAM SIMON – CANCER

Sam Simon co-created one of Hollywood’s most popular animated sitcom, The Simpsons, along with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks. He possessed a genius mind and talented hands, which also became his ticket for getting a degree at Stanford University. While there, he worked as a newspaper cartoonist. However, he didn’t focus on his academics and, at one point, wanted to drop out of his studies. Fortunately, Sam stayed on track, finished his degree, and went on to work as a storyboard artist for Filmation Studios. During his stay with the company, Sam was able to produce a couple of TV series like Cheers, Taxi, The Super, and It’s Garry Shandling’s Show.

After the idea for The Simpsons came to him in the late 80s, Sam quickly went to work assembling the team that will work on it. As hoped, the animated show became a massive hit. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with terminal colorectal cancer, which eventually affected his other vital organs, including his liver and kidneys. He died of the condition and its complications on March 8, 2015.