“Simpsons” fans — and animal lovers — across the Twittersphere are bidding farewell to the show’s co-creator Sam Simon, who passed away this weekend after a hard-fought battle with colorectal cancer. He was just 59.
More from Variety:
In 1989 he developed “The Simpsons” with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks, and he subsequently co-wrote nearly a dozen “Simpsons” episodes during his tenure on the animated comedy, also serving as co-showrunner, character designer, creative consultant, creative supervisor, developer, and writer. He left the show in 1993 while retaining an exec producer title.
The animated sitcom, he said, gave him more freedom than live action. “You can draw animals and sets but the animated characters also have freedom. The Simpsons sometimes do things that real people wouldn’t do.”
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But Simon was also a devoted philanthropist. An animal lover, he funded the Sam Simon Foundation, which rescued dogs, funded a traveling animal surgery clinic assisting the ailing pets of those who otherwise could not afford medical attention for them and provided vegan food for hungry humans. He also supported PETA, which named its Norfolk, Va., HQ the Sam Simon Center; Save the Children; and global marine conservation organization the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which named one of its vessels after him.
RIP.
Rest in peace, Sam Simon. Thanks for making people so happy and keeping so many animals safe. http://t.co/Nb3JK1ziG8
— Summer Anne Burton (@summeranne) March 9, 2015
Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon Dead at 59 | Variety#RIP Sam Simon, thanks for everything! http://t.co/W1NGeoCkXS
— Daniel Elder (@djelder) March 9, 2015
@simonsam R.I.P. Sam. You're now pain free and fought like a warrior. #ripSamSimon
— Sean Milke (@SeanMilke) March 9, 2015
RIP @simonsam. A great humanitarian, animal lover, and co-creator of The Simpsons. Friend to the famous and not-so-famous. Sad day.
— 500 Words (@500words) March 9, 2015
The world just lost an amazing soul and animal rights activist. RIP @simonsam. pic.twitter.com/5iyZgdVdJi
— jenzi (@glassj3n) March 9, 2015
R.I.P. Sam Simon. You wouldn't expect someone so crazy talented and successful to be so kind. May many animals greet you in Heaven.
— Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) March 9, 2015
RIP Sam Simon, and thank you for making one of the most important shows in tv history pic.twitter.com/oUbhjwmDw4
— The Funky Diabetic (@Fn_Mat) March 9, 2015
https://twitter.com/Vito_Selvaggi/status/575006186967293953
https://twitter.com/slicklikeagato/status/575005618060312576
RIP @simonsam – what a talent. An absolute honor to know and work with you
— Jason Kaplan (@Siriusjay) March 9, 2015
@simonsam His generosity and compassion for animals is unsurpassable. Only the good die young. RIP
— Melissa Langlois (@gypsiegirlz) March 9, 2015
@Siriusjay @simonsam sad sad news..a true mentsch in every sense of the word. RIP 🙁
— ??Adam Segal?? (@aSeegz) March 9, 2015
https://twitter.com/BunburyMM/status/575005873136869376
I don't even know what to say while tears come out of my eyes. Such a huge inspiration left this earth. Rest with the angels @simonsam. ?
— Deborah Surrey (@Deborah_A_S) March 9, 2015
Sam Simon helped create a television dynasty that made life as a kid a little more tolerable. #RIPSamSimon
— Shawn Somerville (@ShawnS987) March 9, 2015
Sam Simon is gone. His work both in tv and with animals have inspired, and will continue to inspire, generations to come.
— The Sexy Vegan (@TheSexyVegan) March 9, 2015
https://twitter.com/bsmemorial45/status/575006659241705472
Sam Simon died. What a legacy – just the greatest television show of all time and making me laugh and quote it at least once a day #samsimon
— Ryan Muscat (@jryanmuscat) March 9, 2015
R.I.P. @simonsam…….He was smart, funny, generous, and taught us all a hell of alot about dignity…..go in peace friend…..
— Willie Garson (@WillieGarson) March 9, 2015
Thoughts and prayers to Simon’s loved ones.
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with additional tweets.
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