Matty Simmons
Matty Simmons | |
|---|---|
| Born | Martin Gerald Simmons October 3, 1926 Brooklyn, New York City, US |
| Died | (aged 93) |
| Occupation(s) | Producer, writer |
| Years active | 1978–2020 |
Martin Gerald Simmons[1] (October 3, 1926 – April 29, 2020) was an American film and television producer, newspaper reporter for the New York World-Telegram and Sun, and Executive Vice President of Diner's Club, the first credit card company.[2] Simmons gained his greatest fame while serving as the chief executive officer of Twenty First Century Communications.
Simmons was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1926, the son of Kate (Shapiro), a homemaker, and Irving Simmons, a sign painter.[1] Founded in 1967 by Simmons and fellow Diner's Club refugee Len Mogel, Twenty First Century was created to publish a "counterculture" magazine called Cheetah. While Cheetah failed, the partners had more success in the 1970s with Weight Watchers and National Lampoon magazines. Under Simmons' direction, National Lampoon's entire editorial staff was fired and replaced with his children (Michael Simmons and Andy Simmons), as well as Peter Kleinman and Larry Sloman.[citation needed] The magazine expanded into radio, theater, records and film.[3]
Simmons's film credits included acting as the producer of National Lampoon's Animal House and the National Lampoon's Vacation film series.
He wrote seven books. His last one, Fat, Drunk, and Stupid: The Making of Animal House, was published by St. Martin's Press in 2012.[4]
On April 29, 2020, Simmons died at the age of 93 in Los Angeles from a brief illness.[1][5]
References
- ^ a b c Genzlinger, Neil (May 1, 2020). "Matty Simmons, a Force Behind 'Animal House,' Is Dead at 93". The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- ^ "SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON World Premiere to Play Hayworth Theatre, 2/7-3/17". BroadwayWorld.com. January 17, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- ^ Tsosie, Claire (February 13, 2017). "The Man Who Sold the World on Credit Cards". NerdWallet. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
- ^ Simmons, Matty (May 10, 2012). "Fat, Drunk, and Stupid: The Inside Story Behind the Making of Animal House". PopMatters. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
- ^ "Matty Simmons, co-founder of "National Lampoon" has passed away at 93". The Laugh Button. April 30, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
External links
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| National | |
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- 1926 births
- 2020 deaths
- American chief executives
- Film producers from New York (state)
- American financial businesspeople
- American magazine publishers (people)
- American newspaper reporters and correspondents
- Businesspeople from Brooklyn
- Television producers from New York City
- Journalists from New York City
- National Lampoon people
- Writers from Brooklyn
- American business biography stubs