Samuel Michael Simon was born on 6 June 1955, in Los Angeles, California USA, of Estonian-Jewish ancestry through his father. He and was a television producer and director, actor, cartoonist and professional poker player, as well as a philanthropist, but best known for creating the animated sitcom TV series “The Simpsons”in the late 1980s. He passed away in March 2015 from colorectal cancer.
So just how rich was Sam Simon? Authoritative sources estimate that Sam’s net worth was over $100 million, with an approximate annual salary of $20-30 million in is later years, with the majority of his net worth coming from his career as a television producer, in particular his association with “The Simpsons”.
Sam Simon Net Worth $100 Million
Sam Simon was educated at Beverley Hills High School, and then attended Stanford University ostensibly on a football scholarship, but quickly dropped that, and graduated in 1977 having concentrated on psychology, even though he was never keen on studying. Simon began his career by working as a cartoonist for newspapers, and then moved on to work as a writer at Filmation Studio, where he created several animated shows, including the popular “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids”. He then created and wrote a sitcom called “Shaping Up”, in which the main stars were Leslie Nielsen and Jennifer Tilly. However, it wasn’t until 1989 when Fox network premiered his co-created animated show “The Simpsons” that Sam Simon received considerable critical acclaim and public exposure. An instant commercial success, the show was developed by Simon, James L. Brooks and Matt Groening, and the popularity of the series grew immensely so that currently “The Simpsons” has aired 25 seasons and a total of 552 episodes. The longest-running animated sitcom featuring some of the most beloved animated characters, “The Simpsons” has won 27 Primetime Awards, a Peabody Award, as well as 30 Annie Awards, in addition to being given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Subsequently, the film entitled “The Simpsons Movie” was released in 2007, generally to positive reviews and box office takings of $527 million.
Needless to say, it secured Sam Simon an impressive annual salary, but during the making of “The Simpsons”, Sam Simon helped co-create the sitcom entitled “The George Carlin Show” with George Carlin and Alex Rocco in the main roles. Simon then directed an episode of “Friends”, “The Michael Richards Show” and “The Norm Show”, as well as consulted and directed “The Drew Carey Show” starring Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles and Craig Ferguson. All contributed to his net worth.
When Simon left “The Simpsons”, he retired from the television as well. Simon’s only further project was a comedy series called “Anger Management” with Charlie Sheen and Selma Blair.
Simon’s contributions to the entertainment industry were rewarded with Primetime Emmy Awards, Emmy Outstanding Animated Program award, as well as Writers Guild of America Award.
In his personal life, Sam Simon was married twice, firstly to Jennifer Tilly,(1984-91) and then very briefly to actress and model Jami Ferrell in 200. For the last three years of his life he was partnered by Jenna Stewart. Sam Simon was also an noed philanthropist, founding The Sam Simon Foundation that helps hungry families in Los Angeles on a daily basis. In addition to that, he donated to PETA, as well as Sea Shepard Organization. Sam died in 2015 in Pacific Palisades, California at the age of 59.
March 8, 2015, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California, United States
Place Of Birth
California
Profession
Television producer, Screenwriter, Television Director, Storyboard Artist, Actor, Philanthropist, Professional Poker Player, Cartoonist, Manager
Education
Stanford University
Nationality
United States of America
Spouse
Jami Ferrell (m. 2000–2003), Jennifer Tilly (m. 1984–1991)
Parents
Arthur Simon, Joan Simon
Nicknames
Samuel Simon , Scarifying Sam Simon , Sort of Frightening Sam Simon , Sortirious Sam Simon , Slithering Sam Simon , simonsam@twitTERROR , Somewhat Shocking Sam Simon , Sam "Sayonara" Simon , 'Supervisin' Sam' Simon , Sam 'Sayonara' Simon
Writers Guild of America Award - Valentine Davies Award, 27 Primetime Awards, Peabody Award, 30 Annie Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, Emmy Outstanding Animated Program award, Writers Guild of America AwardHollywood Walk of Fame
Nominations
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Episodic Comedy, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
Movies
"The Simpsons", “Anger Management”, “The Simpsons Movie” (2007), “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids”
TV Shows
“Friends”, “The Michael Richards Show”, “The Norm Show”, “The Drew Carey Show”
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Fact
1
In late 2012, Sam Simon was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 colon cancer, which then metastasized to his kidneys, liver, brain and stomach.
2
He is still credited as executive producer on The Simpsons (1989), despite not having worked on the show since 1993. He estimates his severance deal earns him around $10 million a year.
3
Manages WBO world heavyweight boxing champion Lamon Brewster.
TV Series developed by - 618 episodes, 1989 - 2018 written by - 8 episodes, 1990 - 1992 story by - 1 episode, 1992
The Simpsons Take the Bowl
2014
Video creator
Sam's Game
2009
TV Series creator
The Simpsons Movie
2007
based on the television series "The Simpsons" developed by - uncredited
Rock & Roll Back to School Special
2001
TV Movie written by
The Drew Carey Show
2001
TV Series written by - 2 episodes
House of Cards
2001
TV Movie
The George Carlin Show
TV Series created by - 27 episodes, 1994 - 1995 written by - 3 episodes, 1994 story - 2 episodes, 1994 teleplay - 2 episodes, 1994 writer - 1 episode, 1994
Phenom
TV Series created by - 22 episodes, 1993 - 1994 teleplay & story - 1 episode, 1993
Virtual Bart
1994
Video Game characters - uncredited
The Super
1991
written by
Sibs
1991
TV Series
The Tracey Ullman Show
1987-1990
TV Series written by - 5 episodes
It's Garry Shandling's Show.
1987-1988
TV Series written by - 3 episodes
Cheers
1982-1985
TV Series written by - 5 episodes
Taxi
TV Series written by - 11 episodes, 1981 - 1983 teleplay by - 2 episodes, 1982 - 1983
Barney Miller
1982
TV Series written by - 1 episode
Best of the West
1981
TV Series written by - 1 episode
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
1979
TV Series written by - 1 episode
The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle and Jeckle
1979
TV Series 1979
Animation Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Simpsons
TV Series character designer - 606 episodes, 1989 - 2017 character design - 2 episodes, 1999 - 2000
The Simpsons Movie
2007
original character designer - uncredited
Do the Bartman
1990
TV Short character designer
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Anger Management
2012-2014
TV Series executive consultant - 75 episodes
The Drew Carey Show
1995-1997
TV Series creative consultant - 32 episodes
The Simpsons
TV Series creative supervisor - 83 episodes, 1989 - 1993 creative consultant - 2 episodes, 1993
It's Garry Shandling's Show.
1986
TV Series creative consultant
Taxi
1981-1982
TV Series executive story editor - 20 episodes
Best of the West
1981
TV Series story editor - 1 episode
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Anger Management
2012
TV Series 1 episode
The Drew Carey Show
1995-2003
TV Series 44 episodes
The Michael Richards Show
2000
TV Series 1 episode
Norm
1999
TV Series 4 episodes
Men Behaving Badly
1997
TV Series 1 episode
Friends
1997
TV Series 1 episode
The George Carlin Show
1994
TV Series 6 episodes
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Simpsons
1990-2010
TV Series writer - 4 episodes
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Miss Dial
2013
English Caller
Shanghai Noon
2000
Chief's Sidekick
Mental Engineering
1997
TV Series 2001
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Egg Cetera
2015
TV Series in memory of - 1 episode
Some Jerk with a Camera
2015
TV Series documentary in memory of - 1 episode
The Simpsons
TV Series in memory of - 1 episode, 2015 acknowledgement - 1 episode, 1994
Beer League
2006
the producers wish to thank
It's the Whiskey Talkin': Artie Lange
2004
Video documentary special thanks
The Drew Carey Show
1998
TV Series special thanks - 1 episode
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Flipside with Michael Loftus
2014-2015
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Unity
2015
Documentary
Narrator (voice)
Dream Camp California
2014
TV Mini-Series documentary
Howard Stern on Demand
2006-2012
TV Series
Himself
The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special: In 3-D! On Ice!
2010
TV Special documentary
Himself
All In: The Poker Movie
2009
Documentary
Himself
Sam's Game
2009
TV Series
Himself
The Write Environment
2008
TV Series
Himself
The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman
2006-2007
TV Series
Himself (fictional) / Himself
60 Minutes
2007
TV Series documentary
Himself - Producer, The Simpsons (segment "Dog Nut")
Independent Lens
2006
TV Series documentary
Howard Stern
2004
TV Series
Himself
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
2000
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The 67th Primetime Emmy Awards
2015
TV Special
Himself - In Memoriam
Some Jerk with a Camera
2015
TV Series documentary
Himself
60 Minutes
2007
TV Series documentary
Himself - Producer, The Simpsons (segment "Dog Nut")
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2014
Animation Writers Caucus Animation Award
Writers Guild of America, USA
2014
Valentine Davies Award
Writers Guild of America, USA
2001
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour)
The Simpsons (1989)
2000
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)
The Simpsons (1989)
1998
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)
The Simpsons (1989)
1997
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)
The Simpsons (1989)
1995
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)
The Simpsons (1989)
1991
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)
The Simpsons (1989)
1990
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program
The Tracey Ullman Show (1987)
1990
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)
The Simpsons (1989)
1989
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program
The Tracey Ullman Show (1987)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2002
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour)
The Simpsons (1989)
1999
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)
The Simpsons (1989)
1996
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)
The Simpsons (1989)
1992
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)
The Simpsons (1989)
1990
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)