Sam Simon Was The First Pop Culture Renaissance Man

Browsing high-end car auctions is both heartbreaking and wonderful. The Lamborghini Miura Jota SVR that gave me shivers. The Carrera RS 2.7 that was pinned above my bed in middle school. This popcorn truck, which I became (inexplicably) obsessed with for several months. I can’t have any of them, because I’m poor. But I lurk on auction sites all the time. And, today, I found something incredible.

You probably know Sam Simon, even if you don’t think you know Sam Simon. He worked on Cheers and Taxi and Fat Albert. He backed George Carlin. He founded the West Coast’s largest dog shelter, played in the World Series of Poker, managed heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster. You probably know him best for launching The Simpsons alongside Matt Groening. Simon was the first pop culture Renaissance man. He passed away in March following a three-year battle with cancer.

Simon’s fortune, memorabilia amassed over a life well lived, will be auctioned on Oct. 22 to benefit charity. Have a look through some of the items here, and browse his full (and incredible) collection over at Sotheby’s—a little heartbreaking, sure, but mostly just wonderful.