Simpsons writer Dan McGrath dies aged 61 as family reveal cause

by · Mail Online

Emmy-award winning The Simpsons writer Dan McGarth has tragically passed away aged 61 his heartbroken family have announced. 

The comedy scribe, who also worked on Saturday Night Live, King of the Hill and Gravity Falls, died following a stroke his sister Gail McGrath Garabadian told the Hollywood Reporter.

Taking to Facebook she wrote: 'We lost my incredible brother Danny yesterday. He was a special man, one of a kind. An incredible son, brother, uncle and friend. Our hearts are broken,'

After beginning his career at SNL in 1991, where he frequently collaborated with Adam Sandler, Dan went on to win an Emmy for writing 1997 Simpsons episode Homer's Phobia.

The iconic episode, which sees Homer making a friend (John Water) only to discover he was gay, was also honoured by GLAAD for its anti-homophobia message. 

The writer is survived by his wife Caroline, his mother, Eleanor and siblings as well as nieces and nephews. 

Emmy-award winning Simpsons writer Dan McGarth as tragically passed away aged 61 his devastated family have announced
The comedy scribe, who also worked on Saturday Night Live, King of the Hill and Gravity Falls, died following a stroke

Following the announcement fans were quick to send their condolences: 'So sorry for your loss! Danny was such a brilliant talent and will be sorely missed! He will always be in our hearts and prayers': 'So sorry for your loss': 'I am so sorry to hear this. I will keep you all in my prayers'. 

Earlier this year fellow The Simpsons writer Steve Pepoon  died unexpectedly at 68.

The veteran writer had been in treatment for a heart condition called cardiac amyloidosis for the past two years before passing outside of his home in Paola, Kansas on May 3. Tuesday.

Pepoon also co-created popular Nickelodeon cartoon The Wild Thornberrys which not only had success as a series but also had a 2002 feature film The Wild Thornberrys Movie.

His other credits include ALF, It's Garry Shandling's Show, and Roseanne.

However, his crowning achievement was winning a Primetime Emmy for writing an episode of The Simpsons.

Pepoon had written season 2, episode 13 - titled  Homer Vs. Lisa And The 8th Commandment - which aired on February 7, 1991.

The episode was centered around dad Homer getting an illegal cable hookup but daughter Lisa feels like the family are breaking the 8th Commandment which is 'though shall not steal.'

The iconic episode, which sees Homer making a friend (John Water, right) only to discover he was gay, was also honoured by GLAAD for its anti-homophobia message
Taking to Facebook his sister wrote: 'We lost my incredible brother Danny yesterday. He was a special man, one of a kind. An incredible son, brother, uncle and friend. Our hearts are broken,'
Following the announcement fans were quick to send their condolences

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Steve Pepoon dead at 68: Emmy Award winning The Simpsons writer dies unexpectedly

She proceeds to protest by refusing to watch television when Homer invites all of his friends over to watch a major boxing pay per view match when he finally has a change of heart.

The episode also marked the debut of the character Troy McClure who was voiced by the late Phil Hartman. 

In a 2016 interview Pepoon talked about being chosen for Emmy consideration as he said: 'For whatever reason, they chose my episode.'

Pepoon was born on May 19, 1956 in Kansas City, Missouri.

After graduating from Kansas State University in 1978, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his writing career with his first gig being the aforementioned ALF. 

Pepoon was survived by his 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.