Animal Activist and Simpsons Co-Creator Dies

Sam Simon—co-creator of The Simpsons and dedicated animal-rights advocate—passed away yesterday after a long battle with colon cancer. Following a lucrative career in television, he made it his life’s mission to give money to animal causes and organizations like Mercy For Animals, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (whose headquarters in Norfolk, VA was named the Sam Simon Center in 2013). In 2011, the nine-time Emmy winner launched a program to provide vegan meals to low-income families, and, since his 2012 diagnosis, has purchased zoos and circuses in order to free animals. In one interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he said “Veganism is an answer for almost every problem facing the world.” Simon was 59 years old.