Sam Simon Dead: ‘The Simpsons’ Co-Creator Dies at 59

Sam Simon, who wrote episodes of “Taxi,” “Cheers” and “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” before co-creating the animated series “The Simpsons”, died Sunday of colorectal cancer at his home in Los Angeles, his reps confirmed. He was 59.

He was diagnosed with terminal cancer in late 2012.

“Simpsons” showrunner Al Jean tweeted this:

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

— Al Jean (@AlJean) March 9, 2015

.@TheSimpsons EP Al Jean on Sam Simon: 'One of the funniest, most brilliant men I ever met': http://t.co/DXSseSN7Bv pic.twitter.com/fL52YIJMMn

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) March 9, 2015