Don Simpson

About

Co-producer with Jerry Bruckheimer of Flashdance, Beverly Hills Cop, Top Gun, and other popular films.

Before Fame

He started out in Los Angeles making a living with small acting parts and teaching tennis on local courts.

Trivia

He was responsible for the comedy Bad Boys, the submarine drama Crimson Tide, and the Oscar-winning Dangerous Minds, all for Disney. His films with Jerry Bruckheimer earned more than $3 billion and 15 Academy Award nominations.

Family Life

He was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, in a working-class family.

Associated With

His drug use eventually killed him, although friends like Jeffrey Katzenberg tried to intervene and get him help.