Don Simpson
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.
Simpson was born in
Seattle, Washington, grew up in
Anchorage, Alaska, and attended the
University of Oregon, where he was a member of the
Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
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.
Simpson was found
dead on the toilet in his home in
Los Angeles. The cause of death was a heart attack. Various websites claim that he had over twenty different drugs in his system at the time of his death, including various psychiatric drugs. 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 Studios came to an end when he allegedly passed out in the middle of a meeting.
The Rock is dedicated to the memory of Don.
Simpson was
cremated, and his ashes given to members of his family.
High Concept: Don Simpson and the Hollywood Culture of Excess by Charles Fleming ISBN 0385486944
*
Don Simpson at the
Internet Movie Database
