Sam Simon

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Sam Simon bigraphy, stories - American writer, director, producer, boxing manager and philanthropist

Sam Simon : biography

June 6, 1955 –

Samuel "Sam" Simon (born June 6, 1955) is an American director, producer, writer, boxing manager and philanthropist. While at Stanford University, Simon worked as a newspaper cartoonist and after graduating became a storyboard artist at Filmation Studios. He submitted a spec script for the sitcom Taxi, which was produced, and later became the series’ showrunner. Over the next few years, Simon wrote and produced for Cheers, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show and other programs, as well as writing the 1991 film The Super.

In 1989 he developed the animated comedy series The Simpsons, along with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks. Simon assembled the show’s first writing team, co-wrote eight episodes and has been credited with "developing [the show’s] sensibility". Simon’s relationship with Groening was strained and he left the show in 1993, negotiating a pay-off which sees him receive tens of millions of dollars from the show’s revenue each year. The following year he co-created The George Carlin Show, before later working as a director on shows such as The Drew Carey Show. Simon has won nine Primetime Emmy Awards for his television work.

Simon has since turned to fields outside of television: he regularly appears on Howard Stern’s radio shows, managed boxer Lamon Brewster and helped guide him to the World Boxing Organization Heavyweight Championship in 2004 and is a regular poker player and six-time in the money finisher at the World Series of Poker. Amongst his numerous charitable efforts, Simon runs the Sam Simon Foundation, which rescues and trains stray dogs and funded the Sea Shepherd vessel the MY Sam Simon, which was named after him. He has been married twice, including to the actress Jennifer Tilly, and is currently engaged. Following a profile of Simon on 60 Minutes in 2007, CBS writer Daniel Schorn wrote in an online article that Simon was "perhaps the Renaissance man of the baffling, uncertain age we live in."

Early life

Simon was born in California, United States, and grew up in Beverly Hills, and Malibu. His family lived opposite Groucho Marx. Simon’s father was a cheap clothing manufacturer and was of Estonian heritage. Simon had a childhood which has been described as "comfortable" and "privileged". Although his parents wanted him to become a lawyer, Simon was interested in art from a young age, appearing on televised local art programs at the age of five. He attended Beverly Hills High School and later Stanford University, graduating in 1977. Simon had not wished to attend college, but Stanford persuaded him to apply due to his sufficient grades and proficiency at football; he quit the football team after one day. He served as a cartoonist for the college newspaper, but was denied admission to a drawing class for not being talented enough. He majored in psychology, but did not focus on his academics.

Personal life

Simon is engaged to chef and caterer Jenna Stewart. He was married to actress Jennifer Tilly from 1984 to 1991 and remains friends with her. He later married Playboy Playmate Jami Ferrell, and the marriage lasted three weeks. Simon has three dogs, supports the Democratic Party, and is a vegan.

He lives in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, in the restored Bailey House, built by Richard Neutra. After his home was destroyed by a fire in 2007, Simon redesigned it to be environmentally friendly; much of the interior is constructed from recycled materials while solar panels provide virtually its entire power needs. The building has a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certificate. He has an extensive art collection; he owns paintings by Thomas Hart Benton, John Singer Sargent and one of the original casts of Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker. He also has a sculpture by Robert Graham and works by Alberto Vargas, Gil Elvgren, Ed Ruscha and Richard Estes.

In late 2012, Simon was diagnosed with terminal colorectal cancer which later metastasized in his other organs, including his liver and kidneys. He had been feeling ill for some time and was frequently misdiagnosed with various viruses. He was given between three to six months to live and is being treated with chemotherapy which, after six months, reduced the size of his tumors.Simon, Sam (2013-05-16). Interview with Marc Maron. WTF with Marc Maron, located . Retrieved 2013-05-19.