A Simpsons icon has sadly passed away, aged 68.
Steve Pepoon, who had been undergoing treatment for cardiac amyloidosis, died unexpectedly outside his home in Paola, Kansas on May 3.
His wife, Mary Stephenson, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday.
Best known for penning the Simpsons classic “Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment,” Pepoon left a major mark on the world of television — from ‘90s sitcoms to animated powerhouses.
Pepoon’s standout episode — season 2, episode 13 — aired on February 7, 1991.
It tackled big moral questions, centering on Homer getting an illegal cable hookup while Lisa protests the theft, reminding the family of the biblical rule: “Thou shalt not steal.”
The episode climaxes when Homer, after inviting friends over to watch a major pay-per-view boxing match, has a last-minute change of heart thanks to his daughter’s powerful stance.
The episode also marked the debut of fan-favorite character Troy McClure, voiced by the late Phil Hartman.
Reflecting on the recognition the episode received, Pepoon once humbly said in a 2016 interview: “For whatever reason, they chose my episode.”
But that one episode won him a Primetime Emmy — and the love of Simpsons fans worldwide, per the Daily Mail.
Before The Simpsons, Pepoon kicked off his writing career with ALF after moving to Los Angeles following his graduation from Kansas State University in 1978. He also wrote for It’s Garry Shandling’s Show and Roseanne.
He later co-created Nickelodeon’s beloved animated series The Wild Thornberrys, which not only ran for years but was adapted into The Wild Thornberrys Movie in 2002.
Pepoon was born on May 19, 1956, in Kansas City, Missouri. He’s survived by his brothers, Michael and Bill; sisters-in-law, Sonja and Francesca; stepchildren, Katie and Nick; and grandchildren, Micah, McKenzie, Lily, Audrey, and Dean.
A celebration of life will take place Saturday at the Paola Community Center. In his memory, the family is gathering donations to establish a scholarship fund for Paola High School students pursuing careers in writing, theater, or film.
His death comes just as The Simpsons celebrates an incredible new chapter. Last month, Fox confirmed that the iconic series — which began in 1989 and has already aired 783 episodes over 36 seasons — is far from finished.
As part of what Fox calls a “meganimation deal” with Disney TV Studios, The Simpsons has been renewed for four more seasons, taking the total episode count to a staggering 40 seasons — with 15 new episodes per season.