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.

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 Cardiac Arrest from Multiple Drug Intake (MDI). 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. This fact is mentioned at the end of the movie; the beginning identifies him as co-producer with Jerry Bruckheimer.

[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."