Dan McGrath, an Emmy-award-winning writer and producer known for his work on The Simpsons and King of the Hill, died on Friday at the age of 61. His sister, Gail Garabadian, told The Hollywood Reporter he died at NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, after suffering a stroke.
The Context
McGrath was a prominent figure in American television comedy, renowned for his contributions to some of the most-influential animated programs, including The Simpsons and King of the Hill. His writing shaped a generation of viewers and influenced the direction of animated and comedy writing in the United States. His passing is significant to both the entertainment industry and the loyal audiences of the shows he helped create, leaving a legacy that continues to impact the genre.
What To Know
In a heartfelt message posted to Facebook on Saturday, Garabadian said: “We lost my incredible brother Danny yesterday. He was a special man, one of a kind. An incredible son, brother, uncle and friend. Our hearts are broken.”
Born on July 20, 1964, in Brooklyn, McGrath attended Regis High School and Harvard University, where he became vice president of The Harvard Lampoon, according to his online obituary via McLaughlin & Sons Funeral Home. His early television career included work with Saturday Night Live in 1991, earning an Emmy nomination in 1992. McGrath joined The Simpsons in 1992, writing 50 episodes and producing 24 more, per The Hollywood Reporter (THR). He received a Primetime Emmy award in 1997 for the iconic episode “Homer’s Phobia” and contributed scriptwriting to other beloved episodes such as “Time and Punishment,” “The Devil and Homer Simpson,” “Boy-Scoutz ‘n the Hood” and “Bart of Darkness.”
Beyond The Simpsons, McGrath worked as a writer and producer for King of the Hill, Muppets Tonight, Gravity Falls and Mission Hill. He also taught at the Brooklyn Comedy Collective.
What People Are Saying
McGrath’s obituary reads: “He is survived by his mother, Eleanor; his brother Michael and wife Caroline; his brother Peter; his sister, Gail; his nephew Dillon and his nieces Kylie and Emma. His prodigious talents and singular personality will be missed by many devoted friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Regis High School.”
Fan @ReelNatives wrote on X: “So sad and such a talented man.”
Another fan, @edwardistheman, added on X: “Rest in peace Dan.”
What Happens Next
A visitation for McGrath will be held at the McLaughlin & Sons Funeral Home in Brooklyn on Monday, with a service scheduled at St. Patrick’s Church on Tuesday, THR reported.
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