[Jake.]

The Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon has died, aged 59.

The landmark animated sitcom's executive producer Al Jean announced on Twitter that Simon had succumbed after a long battle with cancer on Sunday (March 8).

"@thesimpsons #everysimpsonsever Just heard terrible news of death of @simonsam. A great man; I owe him everything," Jean tweeted.

Representatives for Simon also confirmed his passing to multiple media outlets on Monday.

The writer announced that he'd been diagnosed with terminal colorectal cancer in early 2013, and subsequently documented his final years for a docu-series.

Simon also made headlines last autumn when he announced that he would give away his $100m fortune to a variety of charities, including animal rights groups.


The writer got his start on early 1980s sitcoms Taxi and Cheers, before going on to develop The Simpsons as animated shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show.

Simon was a key member of The Simpsons' staff until 1993, and remained as an executive producer.

He won nine Primetime Emmy Awards over the course of his career.


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