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IMDbPro

Don Simpson(1943-1996)

  • Producer
  • Actor
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterSee 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)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • Awards
    • 1 win total

Photos18

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Known for

Days of Thunder (1990)
Days of Thunder
6.1
  • Producer
  • 1990
Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery, and Ed Harris in The Rock (1996)
The Rock
7.4
  • Producer(produced by)
  • 1996
Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Beverly Hills Cop
7.4
  • Producer(produced by)
  • 1984
Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis in Top Gun (1986)
Top Gun
7.0
  • Producer(produced by)
  • 1986

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Producer



  • Danna García in Un gancho al corazón (2008)
    Un gancho al corazón
    5.9
    TV Series
    • producer
    • 2008–2009
  • Annie Potts in Dangerous Minds (1996)
    Dangerous Minds
    6.2
    TV Series
    • executive producer
    • 1996
  • Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery, and Ed Harris in The Rock (1996)
    The Rock
    7.4
    • producer (produced by)
    • 1996
  • Michelle Pfeiffer, Ivan Sergei, Wade Dominguez, Paula Garcés, Marisela Gonzales, Bruklin Harris, Rahman Ibraheem, Renoly Santiago, and Marcello Thedford in Dangerous Minds (1995)
    Dangerous Minds
    6.5
    • producer
    • 1995
  • Will Smith, Téa Leoni, and Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys (1995)
    Bad Boys
    6.8
    • producer (produced by)
    • 1995
  • Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman in Crimson Tide (1995)
    Crimson Tide
    7.4
    • producer (produced by)
    • 1995
  • Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Denis Leary in The Ref (1994)
    The Ref
    6.9
    • executive producer
    • 1994
  • Days of Thunder (1990)
    Days of Thunder
    6.1
    • producer
    • 1990
  • Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
    Beverly Hills Cop II
    6.6
    • producer (produced by)
    • 1987
  • Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis in Top Gun (1986)
    Top Gun
    7.0
    • producer (produced by)
    • 1986
  • Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
    Beverly Hills Cop
    7.4
    • producer (produced by)
    • 1984
  • Thief of Hearts (1984)
    Thief of Hearts
    5.8
    • producer
    • 1984
  • Michael Sembello: Maniac (1983)
    Michael Sembello: Maniac
    7.2
    Music Video
    • producer
    • 1983
  • Flashdance (1983)
    Flashdance
    6.2
    • producer
    • 1983

Actor



  • Days of Thunder (1990)
    Days of Thunder
    6.1
    • Aldo Bennedetti
    • 1990
  • Cannonball! (1976)
    Cannonball!
    5.5
    • Assistant District Attorney (as Donald C. Simpson)
    • 1976

Writer



  • Cannonball! (1976)
    Cannonball!
    5.5
    • screenplay (as Donald C. Simpson)
    • 1976
  • Dianne Hull and Paul Le Mat in Aloha Bobby and Rose (1975)
    Aloha Bobby and Rose
    6.3
    • Writer (uncredited)
    • 1975

Personal details

Edit
  • Alternative name
    • Donald C. Simpson
  • Born
    • October 29, 1943
    • Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Died
    • January 19, 1996
    • Los Angeles, California, USA(heart failure caused by a massive overdose of cocaine and prescription medications)
  • Parents
      June Hazel Clark
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Print Biography
    • 4 Articles

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    He was reportedly very well read about the history of the movie business. He could stand at a spot in Los Angeles and recite something historic that happened there.
  • 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.

FAQ11

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