Costly art stolen from property connected to late ‘Simpsons’ producer

Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives are investigating the theft of $400,000 worth of art taken from a Malibu property associated with deceased philanthropist Sam Simon, a former producer of “The Simpsons.”

Two paintings were reported missing on April 10 from a property in the 6000 block of Ramirez Canyon Road in Malibu, Sgt. Matthew Dunn of the Lost Hills sheriff’s station said. The works are believed to have been taken sometime the day before, he said.

Each of the paintings is worth an estimated $200,000, he said. The works are the property of the Sam Simon Foundation, a philanthropic organization created by Simon, who died March 8 of cancer at age 59.

One of the paintings is by Roy Lichtenstein, an American pop artist who was among an influential group of New York artists who produced “new art” during the 1960s. Lichtenstein is noted for bright canvases and comic strip imagery.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Sam Taylor at the Lost Hills station at (818) 878-1808.

Simon was an Emmy-winning co-creator of the long-running animated comedy “The Simpsons” along with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in late 2012 and later announced he would donate the bulk of his fortune to charity.

The Sam Simon Foundation feeds vegan fare to hungry families and rescues stray and abused dogs.

The theft occurred at a property where the foundation trains service dogs.

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