Perhaps highest among the many achievements of Sam Simon, who passed away earlier this year, was his championing of Matt Groening's work and how he helped develop, shape, and write The Simpsons. This series of very fortunate events began when Simon featured Groening's "Life in Hell" comic strip on the Tracey Ullman Show. Afterwards, Simon asked Groening if he was interested in developing his illustrations into a television show, which in retrospect, was the infamous moment when the world's longest running animated series was born.
Now, many of Simon's one-of-a-kind memorabilia from The Simpsons will be auctioned off at Sotheby's. Besides being a co-creator and creative supervisor, Simon was a talented illustrator in his own right, with his designs appearing in iconic characters like Blinky, the three-eyed fish, Mr. Burns, Chief Wiggum, Eddie, Lou, and Bleeding Gums Murphy. His work for the show would later manifest itself in collectibles such as a letterman jacket and pinball machine, both of which will be available at the auction.
After working on the show for its first four seasons, Simon would leave his signature on several other comedic television series as well including Friends, Cheers, Taxi, and The George Carlin Show. Memorabilia, such as a Drew Carey Show thermos and lunchbox (watch out Supreme), and items from his philanthropic work and boxing collection will be on the auction block as well. All sales will benefit the Sam Simon Charitable Giving Foundation.
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