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Drug use[edit]
As Simpson and Bruckheimer's success grew, so did Simpson's reputation for being a brash "party animal". He had been using cocaine since the 1980s, but increased his usage over the years. His excessive spending (in both films and his personal life) and erratic mood swings caused by his drug use were well known within the Hollywood industry by the 1990s. According to screenwriter James Toback, both David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg had attempted to get Simpson to go to rehab for his drug use.[6]
Simpson refused to admit himself into a traditional rehab facility and, in 1995, employed Dr. Stephen Ammerman to help him with his addiction. Ammerman, who had a history of drug abuse himself, believed that in order for Simpson to quit drugs, he had to use other drugs to combat the effects of painful withdrawal symptoms. Ammerman designed what has been described as a "dangerously unorthodox" detox program, which included the use of several medications (including morphine) for Simpson to take at home to kick his drug habit.[8] On August 15, 1995, Ammerman was found dead in the pool house on Simpson's estate. It was later determined that Ammerman died of an accidental overdose of cocaine, Valium, venlafaxine and morphine.[9]
Frustrated with Simpson's escalating drug use and declining work, Jerry Bruckheimer terminated their partnership in December 1995. The two agreed to finish work on The Rock, which was already in production.[10] The Rock was released after Simpson's death and is dedicated to his memory.[11]
Personal life[edit]
His personal life has been documented in a number of sources. A chapter in the book You'll Never Make Love in This Town Again (which describes four prostitutes' stories about their sexual encounters with Hollywood celebrities) discusses his preference for S & M.[12] Hollywood madam Alexandra D. Datig said that her time with Don was "the most wicked, depraved, and exciting time" of her life, mentioning that he frequently hired "spank monsters" to discipline her, as well dunked her head into a clogged toilet while having sex.[13] Simpson was never married.
Death[edit]
On January 19, 1996, Simpson was found dead in the bathroom of his Bel Air, Los Angeles home.[14] His death was initially attributed to "natural causes". An autopsy and toxicology report later determined that Simpson had died of heart failure caused by combined drug intoxication (cocaine and prescription medications) while going to the bathroom.[15] At the time of his death, there were 21 different drugs in his system including antidepressants, stimulants, sedatives, and tranquilizers. In August 1996, investigative reporter Chuck Philips of The Los Angeles Times revealed that Simpson had been obtaining large quantities of prescription drugs from 15 different doctors and that police found 2,200 prescription pills in his home.[8][16][17]
1983 Flashdance – Producer
1984 Beverly Hills Cop – Producer
Thief of Hearts – Producer
1986 Top Gun – Producer
1987 Beverly Hills Cop II – Producer
1990 Days of Thunder Aldo Bennedetti Producer
1994 The Ref – Executive producer
1995 Bad Boys – Producer
Crimson Tide – Producer
Dangerous Minds – Producer
1996 The Rock – Producer
As Simpson and Bruckheimer's success grew, so did Simpson's reputation for being a brash "party animal". He had been using cocaine since the 1980s, but increased his usage over the years. His excessive spending (in both films and his personal life) and erratic mood swings caused by his drug use were well known within the Hollywood industry by the 1990s. According to screenwriter James Toback, both David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg had attempted to get Simpson to go to rehab for his drug use.[6]
Simpson refused to admit himself into a traditional rehab facility and, in 1995, employed Dr. Stephen Ammerman to help him with his addiction. Ammerman, who had a history of drug abuse himself, believed that in order for Simpson to quit drugs, he had to use other drugs to combat the effects of painful withdrawal symptoms. Ammerman designed what has been described as a "dangerously unorthodox" detox program, which included the use of several medications (including morphine) for Simpson to take at home to kick his drug habit.[8] On August 15, 1995, Ammerman was found dead in the pool house on Simpson's estate. It was later determined that Ammerman died of an accidental overdose of cocaine, Valium, venlafaxine and morphine.[9]
Frustrated with Simpson's escalating drug use and declining work, Jerry Bruckheimer terminated their partnership in December 1995. The two agreed to finish work on The Rock, which was already in production.[10] The Rock was released after Simpson's death and is dedicated to his memory.[11]
Personal life[edit]
His personal life has been documented in a number of sources. A chapter in the book You'll Never Make Love in This Town Again (which describes four prostitutes' stories about their sexual encounters with Hollywood celebrities) discusses his preference for S & M.[12] Hollywood madam Alexandra D. Datig said that her time with Don was "the most wicked, depraved, and exciting time" of her life, mentioning that he frequently hired "spank monsters" to discipline her, as well dunked her head into a clogged toilet while having sex.[13] Simpson was never married.
Death[edit]
On January 19, 1996, Simpson was found dead in the bathroom of his Bel Air, Los Angeles home.[14] His death was initially attributed to "natural causes". An autopsy and toxicology report later determined that Simpson had died of heart failure caused by combined drug intoxication (cocaine and prescription medications) while going to the bathroom.[15] At the time of his death, there were 21 different drugs in his system including antidepressants, stimulants, sedatives, and tranquilizers. In August 1996, investigative reporter Chuck Philips of The Los Angeles Times revealed that Simpson had been obtaining large quantities of prescription drugs from 15 different doctors and that police found 2,200 prescription pills in his home.[8][16][17]
1983 Flashdance – Producer
1984 Beverly Hills Cop – Producer
Thief of Hearts – Producer
1986 Top Gun – Producer
1987 Beverly Hills Cop II – Producer
1990 Days of Thunder Aldo Bennedetti Producer
1994 The Ref – Executive producer
1995 Bad Boys – Producer
Crimson Tide – Producer
Dangerous Minds – Producer
1996 The Rock – Producer
