Dan McGrath, the Emmy Award-winning writer and producer of The Simpsons, passed away on November 14th. He passed away at the age of 61.
His sister, Gail McGrath Galabadian, confirmed his death in a Facebook post early Saturday morning.
“We lost our wonderful brother Danny yesterday,” she wrote. “He was a special person, one of a kind. A wonderful son, brother, uncle and friend. Our hearts are broken.”
McGrath wrote 50 episodes of “The Simpsons” from 1992 to 1994 and produced 24 episodes from 1996 to 1998. He won an Emmy Award for his work on the series in 1997, taking home the honor for Outstanding Animated Program for “Homer Phobia.”
In this episode, director John Waters plays a gay antiques dealer who befriends Marge. When Marge takes him home to meet her family, Homer quickly breaks up and does everything he can to keep Bart away from his influence.
McGrath’s standout episodes include “The Boy Scout and the Hood,” “The Devil and Homer Simpson,” and “Time and Punishment.”
McGrath got his break writing for “Saturday Night” in 1991-1992. There, he became a frequent collaborator with “SNL” legends Chris Farley and Adam Sandler. He was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1992 for his work on the iconic late night sketch show.
His other works include “King of the Hill,” “Mission Hill,” “Sammy,” “The Pages,” and “Muppets Tonight.”
McGrath was born in Brooklyn, New York, graduated from Harvard University, and served as vice president of the Harvard Lampoon.
McGrath’s obituary said: “His extraordinary talent and unique personality will be missed by many devoted friends.”
In lieu of flowers, McGrath’s family requests that donations be made to her alma mater, Regis High School.
McGrath is survived by his mother, Eleanor; his brother Michael and wife Caroline; his brother Peter and sister Gail.
