Dan McGrath: Emmy-award winning writer of The Simpsons dies aged 61 - what was his cause of death?
The Emmy-award winning writer behind The Simpsons, Dan McGarth, has died aged 61.
The comedy storyteller, who also worked on Saturday Night Live, King of the Hill and Gravity Falls, died on Friday (November 14), his family have announced.
Taking to Facebook she wrote a tribute on Saturday, (November 15): “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.”
Many people have left comments on condolence on the post. One said: “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.” Another person penned: “No words for this heartache and loss; sending you comfort and strength.” A third said: “I’m so sorry to hear of this tremendous loss. Sending you so much love and strength.”
Dan won an Emmy for writing the 1997 Simpsons episode called Homer's Phobia. In the episode, which was honoured by GLAAD for its anti-homophobia message, Homer makes a friend called John who is gay.
His other notable episodes included The Devil and Homer Simpson, Time and Punishment, Bart of Darkness, Treehouse of Horror installments and Boy-Scoutz ’n the Hood.
McGarth died NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn after suffering a stroke, his sister Gail McGrath Garabadian told the Hollywood Reporter while confirming his cause of death. The writer is survived by his wife Caroline, his mother, Eleanor and siblings as well as nieces and nephews.
A visitation for McGarth will take place at McLaughlin & Sons Funeral Home in Brooklyn starting at 5pm tomorrow (Monday November 17), followed by a service at St. Patrick’s Church in Brooklyn at 10.30am on Tuesday (November 18).
His death comes six months after the death of fellow The Simpsons writer Steve Pepoon, who died unexpectedly at 68 in May.
The award-winning writer - who had been receiving treatment for a heart condition called cardiac amyloidosis for two years - died unexpectedly outside his home in Paola, Kansas, on May 3.
Mary Stephenson, Pepoon's wife, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter at the time. The writer enjoyed a hugely successful career in the TV industry, working on a host of well-known shows, such as 'The Simpsons', 'Roseanne' and 'The Wild Thornberrys'.
In the early 1990s, Pepoon also won an Emmy award an episode of The Simpsons he had written: 'Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment'. He admitted in 2016 to being surprised by his Emmy success. The writer - who worked at a shoe store before making the move to Los Angeles - said: "For whatever reason, they chose my episode [for Emmy consideration].”
The award-winning episode - which aired on February 7 1991 - centred on Homer watching TV using an illegal cable hook-up. However, Lisa took umbrage with her dad, accusing him of breaking the 8th Commandment. Homer initially dismisses Lisa's concerns, before having a change of mind and deciding to follow the law instead.