Sam Simon

Sam Simon, a co-creator of “The Simpsons” and animal-rights advocate who made a midlife career shift into philanthropy and channeled much of his personal fortune into social causes, has died.

Simon died Sunday at his home in Pacific Palisades, Calif., his agent, Andy Patman said. He was 59.

He was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer in 2011.

After stints writing for “Taxi,” “Cheers” and “The Tracey Ullman Show,” Simon helped launch “The Simpsons.” During his writing and producing career, he collected nine prime-time Emmy awards.

He left “The Simpsons” after its fourth season under a deal that rewarded him with ongoing royalties from the show, which is now in its 26th season.

He then established the Sam Simon Foundation, which rescues dogs from animal shelters and trains them to assist the disabled. He also donated to Mercy for Animals and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, among other groups. In 2013, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ Norfolk, Va., headquarters were christened the Sam Simon Center in recognition of his support for that organization.

Simon also funded a Los Angeles food bank.

In an interview with The Associated Press in 2013, Simon voiced a desire to spend all of his money on charitable causes.

“I’m supporting the charities that I supported during my lifetime,” he said, “and I want to continue to do that.”

Simon had grown up in Beverly Hills across the street from Groucho Marx, though his father was in the garment industry, not show business.

After turning his drawing talent into a job at an animation studio that made cartoons for kids, Simon submitted a script to the ABC comedy “Taxi.” It was bought and produced, and Simon, in his 20s, was hired as a staff writer and soon rose to be the showrunner.