Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

AP/Press Association Images

Co-creator of The Simpsons Sam Simon who saved Benjy the bull has died aged 59

Simon had previously stated that he would be leaving his nearly $100 million fortune to his various charities.

ONE OF THE co-creators of The Simpsons Sam Simon has passed away at the age of 59.

The nine time Emmy winner passed away in Los Angeles on Sunday after a long battle with colon cancer. He was diagnosed in late 2012.

Simon was an animal rights advocate and it’s reported that he died surrounded by his family and his dog.

He largely retired from the entertainment business in his 30s and set up the Sam Simon Foundation, which rescues dogs and helps prolong the lives of pets in medical need.

The foundation confirmed the news on Facebook today saying, “It is with much sadness that we must let you know that Sam Simon has passed over.”

The Irish bull Benjy was saved by Sam when he stepped in before Benjy was sent to be slaughtered.

Benjy faced execution after failing to impregnate any heifers at a Mayo farm. He was known as the gay bull of Ireland.

Ireland Gay Bull Benjy the bull was saved following a worldwide appeal backed by “The Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon. Simon payed for Benjy's transportation to an animal sanctuary in England. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Animal Rights Action Network, ARAN, released a statement saying they are hurt and saddened at the news. ARAN’s John Carmody said:

The lives of many rescued and abused animals are alive and well thanks to Mr. Simon’s goodwill.

“We are sorry that the animals have lost a true living angel, who has done nothing but good during his time in this world — may he look down on all the animals he’s helped save and the ones that need saving, from where he is right now.”

Simon had previously stated that he would be leaving his nearly $100 million fortune to his various charities.

People are also responding to the sad news on Twitter:

According to The Hollywood Reporter- Simon left The Simpsons in 1993 but remained in the credits as an executive producer and still earned money from the show thanks to a home video sales deal.

Simon also worked as a producer for shows including The Tracey Ullman Show, The George Carlin Show, Cheers, Taxi and The George Carlin Show.

First posted at 8.30pm

 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
18 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Whatever
    Favourite Whatever
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 3:34 PM

    My first time getting it from tomorrow and I’m so thankful it’s available, the workplace were originally going to pay us only 50% of our contracted hours which was just not something some staff on 8 hour contracts could live on, especially when they work a lot more than 8 hours a week. Retail, even as management, is precarious!

    136
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rory Devlin
    Favourite Rory Devlin
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 5:04 PM

    @Whatever: I was on it from the middle of March last year until the end of December as my job is still closed but thankfully got a college placement co-op position for the next 8 months so I am off it now. Was very grateful to receive the PUP, glad it’s there for ye now being laid off again

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Somers
    Favourite Paul Somers
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 5:07 PM

    @Whatever: As self employed I applied last year and was told NO. Now I eat beans, no heat, food or help. No one cares.

    62
    See 11 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Laura Clayton
    Favourite Laura Clayton
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 5:17 PM

    @Paul Somers: why was that? I know a few self employed people that got it. My brother and husband included

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derdaly
    Favourite Derdaly
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 5:29 PM

    @Paul Somers: had you a tax return completed and paid for the previous financial year? If you completed a return in October/November 2019 for the 2018 tax year you should have got it. If you only started your business in 2019 you should qualify once you submitted a return for that year.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Somers
    Favourite Paul Somers
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 5:32 PM

    @Laura Clayton: I honestly don’t know, I pay tax and the vat. Got scared, and now sitting in the house with thermals and a wooly hat. I would love a cuppa

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Somers
    Favourite Paul Somers
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 5:33 PM

    @Derdaly: yes I did

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Byrne
    Favourite Brian Byrne
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 5:39 PM

    @Paul Somers: you should be entitled to it keep contacting your local social welfare office they will get it sorted for you. I was waiting 5 weeks for mine to come through but I got it eventually with persistence

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Somers
    Favourite Paul Somers
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 5:50 PM

    @Brian Byrne: gave up but thank you

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Byrne
    Favourite Brian Byrne
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 5:54 PM

    @Paul Somers: honestly don’t give up Paul keep at them daily until they sort it for you. I sent in the postal application and applied online through the social services portal. It was all sorted eventually.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán O'Loughlin
    Favourite Seán O'Loughlin
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 5:55 PM

    @Paul Somers: That might be why you never got it. If you want it it’s there for you as long as you provide what’s required of you.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Somers
    Favourite Paul Somers
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 6:56 PM

    @Seán O’Loughlin: it’s embarrassing

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JustMeHere
    Favourite JustMeHere
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 9:38 PM

    @Paul Somers: You were told lies. I’m self employed and on the full PUP.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Mc Carthy
    Favourite David Mc Carthy
    Report
    Jan 26th 2021, 12:33 PM

    @Paul Somers: paul I’m self employed and I’m on it since March last year. I had to apply 3 times because it never went through online. The last time I posted it in and was eventually back dated to the 1st time I applied. You are 100% entitled to it. Hope thing get better for you soon.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Dunne
    Favourite Brian Dunne
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 3:59 PM

    Heard of some people being denied loans because they claimed pup. Thought it wasn’t meant to affect your credit rating?

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Jackson
    Favourite Eoin Jackson
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 4:28 PM

    @Brian Dunne: yeah that is true. Iv heard of people having their mortgage application rejected because one of the joint applicants were on PUP. Even with employer letters saying their job is secure and available for the person to return to. I don’t know if it effects your actual credit rating, but banks will not lend to people on social welfare and PUP is social welfare no matter what way you break it down. Its a joke

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Jackson
    Favourite Eoin Jackson
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 4:33 PM

    @Eoin Jackson: and before people start blasting the banks as the big bad wolves for that strategy, that is mandated by the CBI, which in other words, is basically mandated by the government.

    18
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lynn
    Favourite Lynn
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 10:02 PM

    @Eoin Jackson: yup – that was the case for me and my husband last April. We were both on Pup and both had letters confirming future employment and BoI pulled our approval. They’d issued it in February and we were sale agreed on a house and everything. That all fell through.
    Ended up going to the credit union. Their deal isn’t great and you’ve to have a 30% down payment (Christ) but they signed off on it for us while both on Pup. In our own house now since November and I’m still on pup. Husband back at work but laid off on the wage subsidy scheme. We are well able to afford the mortgage repayments but there’s not a chance we could have afforded to rent a place

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark
    Favourite Mark
    Report
    Jan 26th 2021, 8:46 AM

    @Brian Dunne: it affects affordability not credit rating, so no surprises that people were refused a loan due to a lower income

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MickN
    Favourite MickN
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 3:36 PM

    Cash nixer bonanza

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán Óg
    Favourite Seán Óg
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 3:39 PM

    @MickN: Mor on. It’s keeping the wolf from the door for so many people.

    146
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike
    Favourite Mike
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 4:45 PM

    @Seán Óg: Aye right…

    12
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán Óg
    Favourite Seán Óg
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 9:22 PM

    @Mike: Dead on

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute LFCMAD_94
    Favourite LFCMAD_94
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 3:31 PM

    Where do I sign up?

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Kelly
    Favourite Tom Kelly
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 7:32 PM

    Went on the PUP in November because of redundancy.. started a new job today. Happy days!

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rocky Jones
    Favourite Rocky Jones
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 5:50 PM

    Banks are very hard to deal with this lockdown. I tried to get a 2 month freeze on the mortgage as it’s going to be 2 months until I’m back up and running. Spent an hour filling in the online form. Looking now for last years earnings. Accountant letters etc. etc. What’s last years accounts got to do with being out of work this year due to a pandemic. I think the government should be doing more with the banks like last lockdown.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Connell
    Favourite David Connell
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 3:33 PM

    Serious question: Do people living in Northern Ireland, if working in the south, get paid PUP from the Irish Government?

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry O Reilly
    Favourite Larry O Reilly
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 3:55 PM

    @David Connell: only available to people with pps /prsi no. You have to supply details in order to qualify

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute billy bound
    Favourite billy bound
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 5:03 PM

    And the reports of the country bouncing back later this year and the housing market being strong.

    What a load of bs

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute family guy
    Favourite family guy
    Report
    Jan 26th 2021, 1:22 AM

    @billy bound: I’m in construction and I’m up the walls. That includes every construction friend I know. Covid has made things busier not quieter.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Margaret Deacon
    Favourite Margaret Deacon
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 4:00 PM

    If you get OAP and out of work you don’t qualify, even if you pay taxes

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Rock
    Favourite John Rock
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 4:14 PM

    @Margaret Deacon: why should you get pup if you weren’t working in the first place.

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Merlin Lancelot
    Favourite Merlin Lancelot
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 5:23 PM

    When do they transfer to jobseekers (aka regular dole)?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute rolyat ecnal
    Favourite rolyat ecnal
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 6:01 PM

    And still you’ll get another tax demand at the end of this year like most people did in the last 2 weeks

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute plug
    Favourite plug
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 9:06 PM

    when the chickens come home to roost this place will be worse than 2008.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bernadette Ryan
    Favourite Bernadette Ryan
    Report
    Jan 26th 2021, 1:12 AM

    If you are getting OAP but still working before Covid hit and were paid on PAYE basis, as far as I know, you are entitled to PUP. However if OAP and self employed and NOT on PAYE system, (just taxed at end of year when returns are made)then no PUP. Anyway this is what happened 2 of my friends who were in each situation as described

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds