The Simpsons writer Steve Pepoon dies unexpectedly outside his home aged 68
He also co-created The Wild Thornberrys.
The Simpsons writer Steve Pepoon has died unexpectedly outside his home aged 68.
Pepoon received an Emmy for his work on the cartoon’s 1991 episode Homer vs Lisa and the 8th Commandment.
He also co-created Nickelodeon’s show The Wild Thornberrys and wrote for NBC spin-off Ferris Bueller, which starred Jennifer Aniston.
Pepoon died unexpectedly on May 3 outside his home in Paola, Kansas, his wife Mary Stephenson told The Hollywood Reporter.
He had been in treatment for a heart condition called cardiac amyloidosis for the past two years.
According to the NHS, amyloidosis is a group of rare conditions where a protein called amyloid builds up in your body, affecting function.
Pepoon also co-created The Wild Thornberrys (Picture: Paramount/Nickelodeon/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock) The writer worked on the Jennifer Aniston show Ferris Bueller (Picture: Everett/REX/Shutterstock)It cannot be cured, but there are treatments that can help symptoms.
After graduating from his local university, Kansas State, Pepoon moved to LA where he sold his first script, which became an episode of the Jason Bateman-starring sitcom Silver Spoons.
In 1987, he was hired as a staff writer on family sitcom ALF and wrote three seasons.
Pepoon went on to write episodes of It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, Get A Life and Ferris Bueller.
Pepoon’s work on The Simpsons earned him an Emmy (Picture: 20thCentFox/Everett/Shutterstock)In 1991, he won, alongside other Simpsons staff, the Emmy for outstanding animated programme.
The award-winning episode followed Homer getting illegal cable, which upsets daughter Lisa, who feels the family are breaking the 8th Commandment, ‘thou shall not steal.’
In a 2016 YouTube interview with MCTVLIVE Gaming, he discussed securing the Emmy, saying: ‘For whatever reason, they chose my episode.’
Alongside Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, David Silverman, and Stephen Sustarsic, Pepoon co-created animated series The Wild Thornberrys.
There were five seasons of Pepoon’s show The Wild Thornberrys (Picture: Paramount/Nickelodeon/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)The show follows the adventures of a family of wildlife documentary filmmakers, known as the Thornberrys.
Pepoon’s other credits include The Jackie Thomas Show, Roseanne, You Wish and Cleghorne.
Pepoon reunited with Stephenson, whom he met at kindergarten, at his 35th high school reunion in 2009, and they settled in Paola.
His survivors also include brothers, Michael and Bill; his sisters-in-law, Sonja and Francesca; his stepchildren, Katie and Nick; and his grandchildren, Micah, McKenzie, Lily, Audrey and Dean.
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