Sam Simon, "The Simpsons" co-creator died at 59, Fox confirmed.
The animal rights advocate who, after successfully traversing midlife issues, became a philanthropist and channeled his fortune to social causes succumbed to advanced colon cancer on Sunday at his Pacific Palisades, California residence.
After writing for "The Tracey Ullman Show," Cheers," and "Taxi," Simon launched the hit show "The Simpsons" in 1989. He bid the series goodbye in its fourth season, but continued to receive royalties from the production.
He put up the Sam Simon Foundation to rescue dogs from shelters and train each one to accompany the physically challenged. He has also shed some fortune to Mercy for Animals, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, among many other organizations. The Los Angeles' food bank also benefited from him.
During an interview in 2013, Simon spoke about his desire to spend every single penny that he has for charitable purposes.
Simon said, "I'm not sad. I'm happy. I don't feel angry and bitter. I want to do whatever I can survive," after being diagnosed with cancer, the Telegraph reported.
Simon co-wrote dozens of "The Simpsons" episodes and took some of the production's much needed roles like creative supervisor and co-show runner. He left the series in 1993, although he chose to remain as its executive producer.
Ken Levine, also a writer for "The Simpsons," wrote "I'm here to tell you, the real creative force behind 'The Simpsons' was Sam Simon. The tone, the storytelling, the level of humor - that was all developed on Sam's watch."