‘Deep sadness’: Simpsons writer Steve Pepoon dies aged 68
The Emmy award-winning writer had been undergoing treatment for a heart condition.
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The Simpsons writer Steve Pepoon has died unexpectedly aged 68.
The Emmy award-winning writer had been undergoing treatment for a heart condition for the last two years before passing outside of his home in Paola, Kansas, The Sun reports.
His wife Mary Stephenson confirmed his tragic passing on May 3.
His devastated family said on Facebook: “It is with deep sadness that the family of Steve Pepoon announces his passing on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
“Steve was a beloved member of our family and was cherished by many friends.
“He will be greatly missed. A celebration of life event is being planned, and details will be shared soon.”
The veteran writer co-created popular Nickelodeon cartoon The Wild Thornberrys.
The animated show was co-created alongside Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, David Silverman, and Stephen Sustarsic.
The show follows a family of wildlife documentary filmmakers known as The Thornberrys who adventure all over the world.
Pepoon also worked on the hugely-popular Rugrats franchise, ALF, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, and Roseanne.
His most notable achievement came as a Primetime Emmy he received for writing an episode of The Simpsons.
He wrote season 2, episode 13 of The Simpsons titled Homer Vs. Lisa And The 8th Commandment, which aired on February 7, 1991.
In the episode, Homer gets an illegal cable hook-up while his daughter Lisa feels like the family are breaking the 8th Commandment which is “though shall not steal”.
In a 2016 interview, Mr Pepoon spoke about being chosen for Emmy consideration.
The experienced writer said: “For whatever reason, they chose my episode.”
Mr Pepoon was born on May 19, 1956 in Kansas City, Missouri.
He graduated from Kansas State University in 1978, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue his writing career.
His first gig saw him working on ALF in 1987 as a staff writer.
He then went on to write episodes of It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, Get A Life and the Ferris Bueller TV spin-off.
He also had an acting role in the 1994 comedy Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult starring Leslie Nielson.
Mr Pepoon had been suffering from the heart condition cardiac amyloidosis, which happens when a protein called amyloid builds up in your body.
He is 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.
Mourning fans poured out on social media, with one user on X dubbing him the “pride of Paola, Kansas”. This article appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.
Originally published as ‘Deep sadness’: Simpsons writer Steve Pepoon dies aged 68
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