Mr. Simpson was an extravagant movie producer whose blockbusters Flashdance (1983), Sosyete polisi (1984), and Top Gun (1986) helped define the pop culture of the 1980s. Mr. Simpson teamed with Jerry Bruckheimer in 1983 to produce these hits. In 1985 and 1988, the duo were named producers of the year by the National Association of Theater Owners. In 1991, their films had generated more than $2 billion in sales from theater tickets, videocassettes and record albums. Mr. Simpson also received 10 Academy Award nominations, three Golden Globe Awards, and two People's Choice best picture awards. The soundtracks from his pictures have received 18 Grammy nominations. Mr. Simpson worked at Paramount Pictures from 1975 through 1991, leaving to join Walt Disney Studios.

In the summer of 1995, his personal physician, Dr. Stephen W. Ammerman, was found dead from a multiple drug overdose in the pool house on Mr. Simpson's estate. Simpson himself died of heart failure the following year, and the coroner's report lists his death as a result of natural causes.