Emmy-Winning ‘The Simpsons’ Writer Passes Away at 61: Our Hearts Go Out

Dan McGrath, the award-winning comedy writer celebrated for his work on “The Simpsons” and “Saturday Night Live,” has died at 61. His family confirmed that he died after suffering a stroke. His sister, Gail Garabedian, shared the news on Facebook (as reported by Metro) and wrote, “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.”

Garabedian told The Hollywood Reporter that McGrath died at NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn.
McGrath launched his television career at “SNL,” where he frequently collaborated with Adam Sandler during his early years on the show.

A Defining Voice Behind Iconic ‘Simpsons’ Episodes

McGrath joined the writing staff of “The Simpsons” in 1992. He earned writing credit on 50 episodes between 1992 and 1994 and later received producing credit on 24 episodes from 1996 to 1998. He often joked that both of his stints on the show ended with him being fired.

His standout episodes included “The Devil and Homer Simpson,” “Time and Punishment,” “Bart of Darkness,” several “Treehouse of Horror” installments, “Boy-Scoutz ’n the Hood” and the Emmy-winning “Homer’s Phobia.”

The 1997 episode, which explored Homer’s friendship with an antiques dealer he later learns is gay, became a landmark for the series. It earned recognition from GLAAD for its message about acceptance.

McGrath later spent eight years on “King of the Hill,” where he wrote 11 episodes and earned producing credit on 28 more between 2002 and 2010.

A Career That Spanned ‘SNL,’ Animation Classics & Cult Favorites

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Before Hollywood, McGrath wrote for The Harvard Lampoon while studying at Harvard University. He also designed computer games for an MIT-based education software company. His early interest in humor and storytelling shaped everything he later created.

He landed his first major television job in 1991 at “Saturday Night Live,” where he worked alongside Chris Farley and Adam Sandler. During his two-season run, he earned an Emmy nomination with the writing team.

After his time on “The Simpsons,” McGrath contributed to several animated and comedy series. His credits include “Mission Hill,” “The PJs,” “Gravity Falls” and more.

He often joked that he was the founder and co-chairman of the Tamaribuchi Heavy Manufacturing Concern, a fictional company beloved by his fans.

A Life Rooted in Curiosity, Comedy & Creative Passion

Daniel Anthony McGrath was born in Brooklyn on July 20, 1964. His father, Gerard, worked as a machinist and electrician, and his mother, Eleanor, was a homemaker. McGrath attended Regis High School in Manhattan before enrolling at Harvard, where he directed unconventional plays and graduated with a degree in East Asian Studies in 1987.

He also worked in public clinics, hospitals, and emergency rooms before moving into entertainment full-time. Those experiences influenced the sensitivity and humor in his writing.

McGrath is survived by his wife, Caroline, his mother, Eleanor, his siblings, and several nieces and nephews. His family and fans continue to celebrate the legacy of a writer whose creativity shaped generations of comedy lovers.

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