Danny Simon Dies at 86 Influential Comedy Writer

Portland, OR – Danny Simon, a revered comedy writer and older brother of playwright Neil Simon, died July 26 in Portland, Oregon, at age 86. The cause of death was heart failure.

Although Neil Simon achieved more widespread recognition, it was older brother Danny who introduced him to a group of pioneering comedy writers that included Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Larry Gelbart and Carl Reiner. Danny Simon worked with those writers on the staff of Sid Caesar’s groundbreaking ensemble Your Show of Shows.

Danny Simon first demonstrated his gift for the craft of comedy when he and his brother wrote for a Brooklyn department store’s annual show. In addition to his work for Caesar, Simon also wrote for the TV series The Phil Silvers Show, My Three Sons, The Carol Burnett Show, The Mac Davis Show, The Kraft Music Hall and Diff’rent Strokes.

Simon, who was also a talented theater director, contributed to various Broadway productions, including New Faces of 1956 and Catch a Star. Later in life, he became a teacher whose insights into comedy writing enlightened students throughout the world.

A tidy man by nature, Simon was the inspiration for Felix Unger, the fastidious photographer in his brother’s classic play The Odd Couple. He also inspired portions of Come Blow Your Horn, Brighton Beach Memoirs and Lost in Yonkers.

He is survived by his brother, a son, a daughter and two grandchildren.