Samuel Michael Simon

Samuel Michael Simon (1955-2015) also known as “Sam”, was an American poker player, animal advocate, philanthropist, screenwriter, and co-creator of The Simpsons. Born on June 6th, 1955, in Los Angeles, California, Simon accumulated over $362.9K in live tournament earnings, with his most notable cash being $57,308 from winning the 2010 Winnin’ o’ The Green event in Bell Gardens.

Simon was married to professional poker player Jennifer Tilly from 1984 until their divorce in 1991. Additionally, he founded the Sam Simon Foundation. After a prolonged battle with colorectal cancer, he passed away on March 8th, 2015, at the age of 59. He has also appeared on High Stakes Poker.

Sam Simon: Early Life

Sam Simon was born on June 6th, 1955, in Los Angeles, California. He learned poker through weekly family games and developed a deeper interest while visiting casinos with his grandfather. Raised in Beverly Hills, Simon attended Beverly Hills High School, where he was active in football, wrestling, and cartooning. He later attended Stanford University, where he briefly played football and drew sports cartoons for the college paper, eventually graduating with a degree in psychology.

Simon’s career in entertainment began with scriptwriting, leading to roles as a writer, story coordinator, and producer for Taxi. He was married to Jennifer Tilly from 1984 to 1991 and to Playboy Playmate Jami Ferrell from 2000 to 2005.

Sam Simon: Poker Journey on High Stakes Poker

Sam Simon debuted on April 15th, 2009, in HSP Season 5 Episode 7. He dropped a staggering $57,800 after sitting down with Daniel Negreanu, Phil Laak, Antonio Esfandiari, and others. They played a $400/800 +$200 ANTE ($1.6K) No Limit Hold ’em game.

He returned to the tables on April 22nd, 2009, for HSP Season 5 Episode 8. Sam played in another $400/800 +$200 ANTE ($1.6K) No Limit Hold ’em game alongside Joe Hachem, Patrik Antonius, and others. He incurred a $5,200 loss.

His most recent appearance was on April 29th, 2009, during HSP Season 5 Episode 9. Sam competed in a $400/800 +$200 ANTE ($1.6K) No Limit Hold ’em game against Tom Dwan, Howard Lederer, Nick Cassavetes, and others. He lost an astounding $45,700.

Sam Simon: Live Tournament Participation

Sam Simon recorded his first live cash in October 1995. He participated in a $100 + $20 Seven Card Stud event at the Big Poker Oktober held in Bell Gardens, Los Angeles. Simon finished in 1st place and won $4,280.

In March 2010, he achieved his best live cash at the 2010 Winnin’ o’ the Green in Bell Gardens, Los Angeles. He took part in a $200 + $25 No Limit Hold’em event, where Simon finished in 1st place and won an impressive $57,308.

His most recent live tournament participation was in July 2011. He competed in a $10,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event at the 42nd WSOP in Las Vegas. Simon finished in 500th place and took home $23,876 in prize money.

Conclusion

Sam Simon, born June 6th, 1955, in Los Angeles, left a lasting legacy in poker, entertainment, and philanthropy. As co-creator of The Simpsons and founder of the Sam Simon Foundation, he made significant contributions beyond the poker table. When Simon passed away on March 8th, 2015, he was remembered not just for his impressive achievements but also for his generous spirit and the enduring impact he had on so many lives.