Simpsons creator calls cancer an ‘amazing experience’

SAM SIMON, co-creator of popular animated TV cartoon The Simpsons, has described his battle with colon cancer as the ‘most amazing experience of my life’.

Although this may seem like an unlikely, but positive, statement from a man who has suffered from terminal colon cancer since 2012, he expressed his happiness that he was able to be surrounded by those who love him and give away his estimated £100 million fortune to causes that are dearest to him.

He told NBC:  “Somehow I ended up surrounded by people who love me and take care of me and will do anything for me.” He said: “That is called happiness. I think I may have had a problem letting it in before.

“Cancer has been a fight, a journey, an adventure and the most amazing experience of my life.”

Simon grew up in Beverley Hills and managed to land a job at an animation studio, which specialised in children’s cartoons, before submitting a script for the ABC comedy Taxi. He became a staff writer and then joined a new NBC sitcom, Cheers, where he met James L Brooks.

He became a writer and executive producer of The Tracey Ullman Show, a FOX comedy series, which he worked on with James L Brooks and Matt Groening in 1987 before they became the founders of The Simpsons, which began to air its own half-hour episodes in 1989 after previously featuring as comedy clips whilst The Ullman Show was broadcast.

He retired from The Simpsons in 1993 due to a fall-out with Groening but still receives hefty royalty payments each month, which he is using to help the less fortunate.

After being diagnosed, Simon was given only three months to live but two years later he is still fighting and funding several projects including feeding the homeless and less fortunate people who live in inner cities and rescuing animals from being killed whilst in shelters.

In a previous interview with NBC he opened up about both his love for animals and how he is dealing with colon cancer. When asked why he was so fond of dedicating his life to animals he responded: “The thing about animals that speaks to me so much is that my passion for the animals and against animal abuse is based on the knowledge that these creatures, which think and feel, can’t speak for themselves.”

“I feel it is my responsibility to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.”

The 59-year-old has shut down roadside zoos and illegal animal shows, created a dog rescue haven in Malibu and rescued bears.  He has worked with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to which he will be making a huge donation, as well as other humanitarian charities after he passes away.