Born October 29, 1945, in Anchorage, AK (one source says Seattle, WA); died of an alleged drug overdose, January 19, 1996, in Bel Air, CA. Producer, production executive, writer. Simpson gained prominence as the producer of top box-office draws, including Top Gun and Crimson Tide, which he produced in tandem with Jerry Bruckheimer. After graduating from the University of Oregon, Simpson worked as an account executive for the Jack Wodell Agency where he picked up the Warner Bros. account. He began working for Warner Bros. in 1971 andin 1975 went to Paramount Pictures. By the early 1980s he held the title of president for Paramount's worldwide operations. Meanwhile, in 1982, Simpson and Bruckheimer joined forces and created Simpson-Bruckheimer Productions. Theteam was honored by the National Association of Theater Owners in 1985 and 1988 when they were named Producers of the Year. Among his other honors were three Golden Globe awards, two People's Choice awards, and ten Oscar nominations. As a production executive, he oversaw the marketing of A Clockwork Orangeand Billy Jack, and he supervised production of American Gigolo, An Officer and a Gentleman, and 48 Hours, among others. The team of Simpson and Bruckheimer produced many films, including Beverly Hills Cop, Beverly Hills Cop II, Dangerous Minds, Days of Thunder, Flashdance, and The Ref. Simpson also produced The Rock.
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