In some very sad news for fans of The Simpsons, and comedy lovers everywhere, comedy icon and mega-producer Sam Simon died yesterday at the age of 59.

Simon was one of the most influential men behind the scenes in television comedy ever, having worked on shows such as Taxi, Cheers, Barney Miller and Friends. However, one achievement of his stands heads-and-shoulders above the rest – being one of the three co-creators of the iconic and long-running show, The Simpsons. He was a producer, writer and show-runner in the first season, along with fellow co-creators Matt Groening and James L. Brooks. Over the past 26 years, he had served as an executive producer on the show.

Simon was diagnosed with terminal colorectal cancer in 2012, and given between three to six months to live. He defied the prognosis, and managed to live for nearly three years, even serving as a director and producer on Anger Management on FX.

Simon left his entire estate to various charitable causes.

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