Don Simpson
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- This page is about the Hollywood film producer. For the article about the comic book artist, see Don Simpson.
Donald Clarence Simpson (October 29, 1943 - January 19, 1996) was an American film producer. He is known for such hits as Flashdance, Beverly Hills Cop, Top Gun and The Rock. In 1985 and again in 1988, he and his producing partner, Jerry Bruckheimer, were named Producers of the Year by the National Association of Theater Owners.
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[edit] Early life
Simpson was born in Seattle, Washington, grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and attended West Anchorage High School. He then went on to attend the University of Oregon, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
[edit] Documented personal life
Simpson's unusual personal life has been documented in a number of sources. A chapter in the book You'll Never Make Love in This Town Again (which describes four prostitutes' stories about their sexual encounters with Hollywood celebrities) discusses his preferences for S & M and videotaping of their sessions. He is also known to have had several plastic surgeries, allegedly including a collagen injection to his penis. People magazine, in an article after his death, alleged that he was a fan of snuff films.
[edit] Death
Simpson was found dead on the toilet in his home in Los Angeles. The cause of death was a cardiac arrest from Combined Drug Intoxication (CDI). According to High Concept, a Simpson biography by reporter Charles Fleming, Simpson had a $60,000 per month drug habit at the time of his death. His job as an executive at Paramount Pictures came to an end when he allegedly passed out in the middle of a meeting.
The Rock is dedicated to the memory of Don. This fact is mentioned at the end of the movie; the beginning identifies him as co-producer with Jerry Bruckheimer. The Sopranos references Simpson's death. In the episode "He Is Risen," at the funeral of Gigi Cestone (who dies of heart failure while on the toilet), Anthony Soprano states that it's "..how Elvis went." Silvio Dante mistakenly replies, "That guy in Hollywood, too. 'Don' something. Producer of The Simpsons."
[edit] Quotes
- "We have no obligation to make history. We have no obligation to make art. We have no obligation to make a statement. Our obligation is to make money."
- "To make money, it may be important to win the Academy Award, for it might mean another ten million dollars at the box office."
[edit] References
- High Concept: Don Simpson and the Hollywood Culture of Excess by Charles Fleming ISBN 0-385-48694-4
[edit] External links
- Don Simpson at the Internet Movie Database
- New York Times article about Simpson
- The Independent article about Simpson
- Don Simpson Dead from CDI/MDI
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