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IMDbPro

Don Simpson(1943-1996)

  • Producer
  • Actor
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeter
See rank
Don Simpson
Mr. Simpson was an extravagant movie producer whose blockbusters Flashdance (1983), Beverly Hills Cop (1984), and Top Gun (1986) helped define the pop culture of the 1980s. Mr. Simpson teamed with Jerry Bruckheimer in 1983 to produce these hits. In 1985 and 1988, the duo were named producers of the year by the National Association of Theater Owners. In 1991, their films had generated more than $2 billion in sales from theater tickets, videocassettes and record albums. Mr. Simpson also received 10 Academy Award nominations, three Golden Globe Awards, and two People's Choice best picture awards. The soundtracks from his pictures have received 18 Grammy nominations. Mr. Simpson worked at Paramount Pictures from 1975 through 1991, leaving to join Walt Disney Studios.

In the summer of 1995, his personal physician, Dr. Stephen W. Ammerman, was found dead from a multiple drug overdose in the pool house on Mr. Simpson's estate. Simpson himself died of heart failure the following year, and the coroner's report lists his death as a result of natural causes.
BornOctober 29, 1943
DiedJanuary 19, 1996(52)
BornOctober 29, 1943
DiedJanuary 19, 1996(52)
IMDbProStarmeter
See rank
  • Awards

Photos18

Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson in Days of Thunder (1990)
Tom Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Don Simpson in Days of Thunder (1990)
Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson in Dangerous Minds (1995)
Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson in Crimson Tide (1995)
Eddie Murphy and Don Simpson with Ferrari from "Beverly Hills Cop".
Brigitte Nielsen, Jerry Bruckheimer, Eddie Murphy and Don Simpson.  ("Beverly Hills Cop II")
Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer by racecar from "Days of Thunder".
Don Simpson and Tom Cruise on the set of "Days of Thunder".
Tom Cruise, Don Simpson and Michael Rooker on the set of "Days of Thunder".
Tony Scott and Don Simpson working on "Days of Thunder".
Don Simpson, director Adrian Lyne, and Jennifer Beals on the set of "Flashdance".
Jerry Bruckheimer, Tom Cruise and Don Simpson celebrate the success of "Top Gun".

Known for

Days of Thunder (1990)
Days of Thunder
6.1
  • Producer
  • 1990
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Beverly Hills Cop
7.3
  • Producer(produced by)
  • 1984
Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery, and Ed Harris in The Rock (1996)
The Rock
7.4
  • Producer(produced by)
  • 1996
Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman in Crimson Tide (1995)
Crimson Tide
7.3
  • Producer(produced by)
  • 1995

Credits

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IMDbPro

Producer

  • Danna García in Un gancho al corazón (2008)
    Un gancho al corazón
  • Annie Potts in Dangerous Minds (1996)
    Dangerous Minds
  • Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery, and Ed Harris in The Rock (1996)
    The Rock
    • (produced by)
  • Michelle Pfeiffer, Ivan Sergei, Wade Dominguez, Paula Garcés, Marisela Gonzales, Bruklin Harris, Renoly Santiago, and Marcello Thedford in Dangerous Minds (1995)
    Dangerous Minds
  • Will Smith, Téa Leoni, and Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys (1995)
    Bad Boys
    • (produced by)
  • Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman in Crimson Tide (1995)
    Crimson Tide
    • (produced by)
  • Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Denis Leary in The Ref (1994)
    The Ref
  • Days of Thunder (1990)
    Days of Thunder
  • Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
    Beverly Hills Cop II
    • (produced by)
  • Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis in Top Gun (1986)
    Top Gun
    • (produced by)
  • Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
    Beverly Hills Cop
    • (produced by)
  • Thief of Hearts (1984)
    Thief of Hearts
  • Jennifer Beals in Flashdance (1983)
    Flashdance

Actor

  • Days of Thunder (1990)
    Days of Thunder
  • Cannonball (1976)
    Cannonball
    • (as Donald C. Simpson)

Writer

  • Cannonball (1976)
    Cannonball
    • (as Donald C. Simpson)
  • Dianne Hull and Paul Le Mat in Aloha Bobby and Rose (1975)
    Aloha Bobby and Rose
    • (uncredited)

Personal details

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    • October 29, 1943
    • Seattle, Washington, USA
    • January 19, 1996
    • Los Angeles, California, USA(heart failure caused by a massive overdose of cocaine and prescription medications)
  • Publicity listings
    • 4 Articles

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    One of the reasons he went from being a Paramount executive to a producer is because of his drug use. Once, he reportedly passed out during a meeting.
  • Quotes
    To make money, it may be important to win the Academy Award, for it might mean another ten million dollars at the box office.

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