Sam Simon 1955-2015
By: Connor Lenahan
Sam Simon passed away today at the far too young age of 59 after a few years spent battling colon cancer. Sam Simon is, despite the fact that I never met the man and now sadly never will, one of the most important people in my entire life. Simon was, along with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks, one of the three co-creators of The Simpsons, which is my favorite television show of all time. In fact, it’s no stretch to say that The Simpsons is my favorite piece of pop culture period. Simon now gets to rest peacefully and spend his days in permanent happiness. He deserves nothing less. Here is a guy who by all accounts was an amazing friend and family member, spent his Simpsons fortune helping others in his final days, and was largely responsible for helping turn the show he will always be remembered for into what it is today – as transcendent a piece of American culture as anything.
It’s a sad day whenever the world loses a good soul like this one. But to know that any pain and struggle has been removed from the life of someone so wonderful is a blessing in and of itself. Sam Simon will be missed and he will be remembered. He changed millions of lives for the better. At least on my behalf, I thank him for that.