March 8, 2015: Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon passed away in Los Angeles after a long battle with colon cancer. The 59-year-old was a 9-time Emmy winner during a long television career that included work on Cheers and Taxi.

Despite departing from The Simpsons after four season, he continued to receive $20-30m per year after striking a deal that gave him part of the show's earnings. When he was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, he decided to donate much of his earning to charity. He founded the Sam Simon Foundation, a dog rescue and training program.