Don Simpson: podcast appearances and interviews

Donald Clarence Simpson was an American film producer, screenwriter, and actor recognized for his work on popular films during the 1980s and 1990s. He began his career in the film industry in the 1970s, working at Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures. Simpson formed a professional partnership with Jerry Bruckheimer, producing numerous successful films including Flashdance, Beverly Hills Cop, Top Gun, and The Rock. These productions contributed to a combined worldwide gross exceeding three billion dollars. Simpson's career was marked by his rising stature in Hollywood as well as a reputation for an extravagant lifestyle that involved severe and longstanding substance abuse. His life was ultimately cut short by heart failure caused by an overdose of cocaine and prescription drugs, which occurred in 1996. Despite his untimely death, his collaborations with Bruckheimer left a significant impact on the film industry, with his work continuing to be influential.