Simpsons Co-Creator Sam Simon Donating Fortune to Charity While Battling Terminal Cancer

"I get pleasure from it. I love it. I don't feel like it is an obligation," the writer-producer told The Hollywood Reporter

By Bruna Nessif Jul 29, 2013 1:51 AMTags
Sam SimonAraya Diaz/Getty Images for Mercy for Animals

Sam Simon is giving back in a big way.

While battling terminal colon cancer, The Simpsons co-creator is using his time to help others by donating his fortune—untold millions—to various causes.

The 58-year-old nine-time Emmy-winning writer-producer confirmed during a May 16 WTF With Marc Maron podcast he was given the prognosis of three to six months to live and that he will donate nearly all of his royalties from the series—nearly "tens of millions" annually—to charity.

"I get pleasure from it. I love it. I don't feel like it is an obligation," Simon told The Hollywood Reporter.

"There is stuff happening, really good stuff, every week," Simon, who has had surgery and is currently undergoing chemotherapy, added.

Simon co-created the hit animated Fox series more than 20 years ago alongside cartoonist Matt Groening, and tells THR that he is using his wealth to help shut down roadside zoos and abusive animal shows, fund a dog-rescue haven in Malibu and fight hunger, among other things.

His contributions over the years also include founding the Malibu-based Sam Simon Foundation (worth nearly $23 million as of 2011) that rescues the hungry and strays dogs. His other pet charities include PETA (which in February thanked him for his support by naming its Norfolk, Va., headquarters the Sam Simon Center); international nonprofit Save the Children; and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a global marine conservation organization.

FOX

"I want medical experiments on animals stopped. They don't do anything, and they don't work," Simon said of his future wishes. "Veganism is an answer for almost every problem facing the world in terms of hunger and climate change."

Simon's post-Simpsons projects include directing The Drew Carey Show, hosting the reality series Sam's Game for Playboy TV and consulting, currently on FX's Anger Management. 

The Stanford graduate and Beverly Hills native is currently not married and has no children.

"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."