Noted producer Don Simpson was a co-founder of the prestigious Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Productions, a company responsible for a number of highly successful features of the '80s through the early '90s, including Flashdance (1983), Top Gun (1986), and Crimson Tide (1995). Born in Seattle, WA, but raised in Anchorage, AK, Simpson began his highly successful career in San Francisco representing Warner Bros. as an account executive at the Jack Woodell Agency. He moved to Warner Bros. in 1971 and became a marketing executive. His first assignment was to promote the studio's quasi-sequel to Woodstock, Medicine Ball Caravan (1971).
It was not until Simpson became friends with producer Steve Tisch while the latter was moving from New York to L.A. that Simpson became interested in the nuts and bolts aspect of the film industry. Tisch provided much support while Simpson struggled to find a niche as a producer. He got his first real break when Tisch introduced him to Jerry Bruckheimer. Next the well-connected Tisch introduced Simpson to Paramount's vice president of production during the mid-'70s, Richard Sylbert. Simpson impressed…  » Read more