‘Simpsons’ Co-Creator Sam Simon to Give $100M Fortune to Charity

As if 26 years of The Simpsons (and counting!) isn’t enough of a gift to the world, co-creator Sam Simon has announced that he will give away his $100 million fortune to charity.

Simon, 59, was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago and given only months to live. However, he has bravely fought on longer than doctors anticipated, and is valiantly choosing to donate his wealth, all while referring to his post-diagnosis life as “the most amazing experience of my life.”

“Somehow I ended up surrounded by people that love me and care for me and will do anything for me. It’s a good feeling. That’s called happiness,” he said in an interview with NBC.

The charities Simon chose are People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Save the Children, and Feeding Families. However, the award-winning producer and director doesn’t think of himself as the hero that others do.

“A lot of it is selfish,” he said, laughing. “I get to watch these animals that have been in concrete bunkers their whole life, I get to watch them take their first steps on grass, I get to fly my friends out.”

Simon said he is specifically motivated to help animals and children because they are less capable of helping themselves.

“I feel that it’s my responsibility to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves,” he said.

Past accomplishments of Simon include the unveiling of a PETA campaign to cure animal homelessness, the purchase of a chinchilla farm in California to shut it down and rescue over 400 animals, the delivery of a letter and a million-dollar check to end the Canadian Sealers Association’s annual commercial seal hunt, and a protest against NBC’s Animal Practice series.

In addition to his donations to these worthy causes, the animation legend has his own nonprofit, The Sam Simon Foundation, which he privately funds and uses for helpful activities like providing free vegan food to those in need in Los Angeles County, and creating a free mobile spay/neuter clinic for pet owners.

Another of his programs, Assistance Dogs, helps train & provide service dogs and pet visitations for the needy.

Although the disease has weakened him physically, Simon manages to keep a positive and humorous mindset.

“Cancer is a horrible disease. I’m struggling with it. It’s a journey, it’s a fight, it’s tough,” he said. “But if you want publicity and if you want to pick up girls, cancer is the greatest thing in the world.”

[via NBC News]