The Simpsons Co-Creator Battling Terminally Ill Cancer, Donates Money, Talks Pot

In some somber news, Sam Simon, the co-creator behind the classic animated show The Simpsons, has been diagnosed with terminally ill cancer.

It’s said that he’s been diagnosed with aggressive colorectal cancer that has spread to his liver, abdomen, kidneys, and lymph system. When Simon got this dreadful diagnosis he decided to donate his fortune to charity.

Sam opened up to The Hollywood Reporter about his decision to donate all of his money to charity upon learning of his fate:

“I don’t think the spirit of Hollywood is such a spirit of generosity. I think people really begrudge giving. In New York, it’s like that. A lot of charities spend a million dollars on a fundraiser to make $15,000. It’s a social swirl. They do some great stuff and then — it’s called mission drift. It becomes more about the parties. You know, I’m not married, and I don’t have kids. It did become that much more important to me to set this stuff up for the future. And the Rockefeller Foundation has consultants [Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors] who have been amazing. We found fantastic trustees. It’s something that will be living after I’m gone.”

During a recent podcast with Marc Maron, Sam spoke about medical marijuana, having said: “I just started smoking pot. I tried it in high school but I never liked it. Pot is certainly the most innocuous drug. If I were a pot head I would be really happy I got cancer because everybody gives you pot. I used to have a whole cigar box filled with snack bags of different kinds of pot. It takes away the anxiety, the nausea but back then it used to make me paranoid, so maybe [now] I can smoke some of the hybrids.”

Since breaking away from touchstone in 1993, the executive producer earned tens of millions of dollars on an annual basis. In addition Sam directed The Drew Carey Show, was the show runner for the classic show Taxi, a writer for the TV show Cheers, and played poker for Sam’s Game for Playboy TV. He also had a hand in FX’s new Charlie Sheen success Anger Management.

Over the years Simon has contributed to various organizations, and even started his own called the Sam Simon Foundation. His foundation rescues animals. In addition he has contributed to PETA, Save the Children, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

“The truth is, I have more money than I’m interested in spending. Everyone in my family is taken care of. And I enjoy this.” When he was hospitalized in December, Sam Simon decided to buy zoos and circuses so he could shut the facilities down.

All the best of luck to Sam Simon.