---
title: "Sam Simon Was The First Pop Culture Renaissance Man"
description: "And his collection is jaw dropping."
date: "2015-10-15"
modified: "2019-07-16"
authors:
  - name: "Max Prince"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/max-prince"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/514/sam-simon-was-the-first-pop-culture-renaissance-man"
categories:
  - "News"
---

# Sam Simon Was The First Pop Culture Renaissance Man

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_hero.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

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](<https://www.rmsothebys.com/hf15/hershey/lots/1915-cretors-model-c-popcorn-wagon/1076580>), 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.

![samsimonmemorabilia\_art.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_art.jpg>)
**Courtesy of Sotheby's**

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](<https://dog-gear.com/dog-beds/>), 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](<https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2015/creative-genius-of-sam-simon-n09364.html>)—a little heartbreaking, sure, but mostly just wonderful.

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_1.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_2.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_3.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_3.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_4.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_4.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_5.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_5.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_6.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_6.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_7.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_7.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_8.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_8.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_9.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_9.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_10.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_10.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_11.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_11.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_12.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_12.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_13.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_13.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

![samsimonmemorabilia\_ss\_14.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/samsimonmemorabilia_ss_14.jpg>)
*Courtesy of Sotheby's*

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/themaxprince>)