Lary Simpson dead: “Bad Company” producer, showbiz lawyer and Don Simpson brother was 77

Lary Simpson, who began a career in entertainment rights at Tri-Star Pictures before leaving the law firm to join older brother Don Simpson in film production, died of cancer Jan. 25 at his home in Noank, Conn. He turned 77.

His death was announced by his family.

After earning a law degree from California Western School of Law and serving in the United States Army, Simpson began his career in the entertainment industry as an attorney in Tri-Star’s legal department. He later became an associate attorney at Bloom, Hergott, Deimer and Cook in Beverly Hills, representing producers, writers, actors and directors.

In 1995, Simpson left the legal profession to become a film producer, initially working with brother Don after the end of Don’s long and successful partnership with Jerry Bruckheimer. Simpson and Bruckheimer produced such blockbusters of the 1980s boss, the first two Beverly Hills agent photos, flash dance And days of thunder, with Crimson Tide, the rock And Dangerous attitudes.

After Don Simpson’s death in 1996, Lary Simpson started his own production company to develop projects initiated by his brother. In 2002, he served as executive producer on the feature film Bad societypublished by Touchstone Pictures. Bad society was originally developed by Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films, was directed by Joel Schumacher and stars Anthony Hopkins and Chris Rock.

Lary Simpson also received photographs and additional credits for his contributions to the documentary series Danger Zone: The Making of Top Gun in 2004.

In 2003, Simpson and his wife Sally moved to Telluride, Colorado. Simpson conceived, funded and led the Telluride Screenwriters Conference, provided financial support and served on the board of the La Jolla Playhouse.

In 2020, the couple moved to Connecticut to be closer to their children and grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Simpson is survived by son Tait Simpson and daughter Britt Simpson and their husbands; and three granddaughters, June, Olive and Penelope.