From the writer’s room to the final table, Simon lived a multifaceted life marked by wit, competition, and compassion. In this Celebrity Poker report, we will delve into Sam Simon’s early life, poker career, personal life, and philanthropy.

Sam Simon Early Life and Introduction to Poker

Samuel Michael Simon was born on June 6, 1955 in Los Angeles, California, and raised in the affluent neighborhoods of Beverly Hills and Malibu. From an early age, Simon displayed a talent for art, appearing on local television art programs by age five and later working as a cartoonist for his high school newspaper.

His artistic flair led him to Hollywood, where he began as a storyboard artist before rising quickly through the entertainment ranks. Simon eventually became a prolific writer and executive producer for television.

His most notable contribution came as one of the creators of The Simpsons, where he served as executive producer, showrunner, and writer from 1989 to 1993. Even after stepping away from the show, he continued to receive credit and royalties as an executive producer.

A Lifelong Passion for Poker

Simon’s introduction to poker came through casual home games and casino trips with his grandfather. However, it wasn’t until his Hollywood days that he began taking the game seriously.

He joined a regular poker home game hosted by comedy writer David Steinberg. Unlike the social games of his youth, these gatherings were analytical—players discussed hands and strategy in depth. That environment sparked Simon’s competitive interest in poker.

He dove into poker literature and strategy, and eventually began competing in professional tournaments.

Sam Simon’s Poker Career and Winnings

Simon’s first recorded live cash came in 1995, when he won the Big Poker October $120 7-Card Stud event for $4,280. A decade later, he earned $13,735 for a strong podium finish in the 2005 National Championship of Poker $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em event.

His most productive year was 2007. That year, he finished second in the Poker Derby $1,000 NLH for $19,185, cashed in four WSOP events, and took 16th place in the $1,000 NLH WSOP event for $35,493. He also cashed in the prestigious $10,000 WSOP Main Event, where he pocketed $39,445.

In 2009, he earned $24,066 for a 20th place finish in the WSOP $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha World Championship. Later that year, he won the LA Poker Open $335 NLH Bounty event for $22,228.

His largest cash came in 2010, when he won the Winnin’ o’ the Green Los Angeles $200 NLH event for $57,308. Simon’s final cash came in the 2011 WSOP Main Event, where he finished 500th for $23,876.

Over the course of his poker career, Simon amassed $362,900 in lifetime earnings from 28 cashes—an impressive record for someone who was never a full-time poker professional.

Personal Life

Simon married actress Jennifer Tilly in 1984. Though the couple divorced in 1991, they remained close friends and often appeared together in poker tournaments. He later married model and actress Jami Ferrell in 2000, although their marriage was short-lived. Simon had no children.

Philanthropy and Final Years

Outside of poker and television, Simon was a dedicated philanthropist, especially for animal rights causes. He established the Sam Simon Foundation, which rescues and trains shelter dogs, runs a mobile veterinary clinic for low-income communities, and funds multiple animal welfare initiatives.

Simon also made major contributions to organizations like PETA and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. He funded the Sea Shepherd vessel MY Sam Simon, which is actively used in anti-whaling campaigns.

After being diagnosed with terminal colorectal cancer in 2012, Simon committed the remainder of his life to giving back. He arranged for the majority of his fortune to support charities after his passing.

His Legacy

Sam Simon passed away on March 8, 2015, at the age of 59. He left behind not just a legacy in television and poker, but also a blueprint for how success can be used for meaningful change.

Keep following PokerProNews for more such inspiring stories of poker pros from across the world.

<p>The post Sam Simon: The Creative Genius Who Played Poker and Saved Lives first appeared on Global Poker News Daily: PokerProNews.com.</p>

Meanwhile, Lou Garza claimed a career-defining seven-figure score in the $25K High Roller Mixed event, and Christopher Staats turned a break from warehouse work into WSOP gold by winning the 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em event. 

With dramatic heads-up comebacks, career milestones, and breakthrough performances, this trio of victories has added more excitement to an already electric summer at Las Vegas. 

Benny Glaser Ships Back-to-Back WSOP Events to Secure 7th Bracelet

Fresh off his win in the $1,500 Dealers Choice event, Glaser returned to dominate  Event #15: $1,500 Mixed: PLO HI-Lo 8 or Better, once again proving why he’s one of the best mixed-game players in the world. 

The win earned him $258,193 and marked his seventh career WSOP bracelet—further cementing his status as the most decorated British poker player in history.

The event attracted 1,239 entries and generated a prize pool of $1,644,773, with payouts awarded to the top 186 finishers. Notably, bracelet winner David Shmuel reached the podium, earning $121,736 for his third-place finish.

Heads-Up Action

Travis Pearson entered heads-up play with a commanding two-to-one chip lead and seemed poised to clinch his first WSOP title. However, Glaser battled back, seized the chip lead, and never looked back.

In the final hand, Pearson moved all-in preflop and was snap-called by Glaser, who flopped top pair with a king. That was enough to seal the deal and hand Glaser his seventh bracelet. Pearson took home $172,077 for his runner-up finish.

 WSOP 2025 Event #15: $1,500 Mixed: PLO HI-Lo 8 or Better Final Table Payouts 

Lou Garza Locks Up Second Bracelet With Career-Best Score

Lou Garza, also known as AP Louis Garza, made a major statement at the 2025 WSOP by winning Event #14: $25,000 High Roller PLO/NLH Mixed for his second gold bracelet and a career-best payday of $1,302,233.

The high-stakes event attracted 245 entries and produced a $5,757,500 prize pool, with 37 players making the money. Deep runs by elite names such as Jason Koon, John Hennigan, and Stephen Chidwick added prestige to the field, although they all fell short of the final table. China’s Chongxian Yang finished third, securing a substantial payout of $598,285.

Heads-Up Showdown

Garza faced off against two-time bracelet winner Ben Lamb in the final duel. Lamb, who entered with a big chip lead, was the crowd favorite. However, Garza wasn’t far behind and mounted several key double-ups to flip the script.

The final hand was dealt in No-Limit Hold’em, with Lamb shoving his remaining chips with king-ten of clubs. Garza snap-called with pocket aces, and the board ran out clean, crowning Garza the champion.

Lamb walked away with $868,140, while Garza celebrated his second WSOP title and first seven-figure score.

WSOP 2025 Event #14: $25,000 High Roller PLO/NLH Mixed Final Table Payouts 

Christopher Staats Wins Second Bracelet After Career Break

Christopher Staats, who took time off from his warehouse job to chase his poker dream in Las Vegas, made his trip count by winning Event #13: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em at the 2025 WSOP.  For which he earned a second gold bracelet and a top prize of $439,815.

The event drew 2,354 entries and created a prize pool of $3,124,935, with 354 players making the money.

China’s Shundan Xiao nearly made history as the first Chinese woman to win a WSOP bracelet but ultimately finished third, taking home $197,869.

Heads-Up Recap

Staats entered heads-up play at a chip disadvantage against two-time bracelet winner David Jackson but quickly doubled up and closed the match in short order.

In the final hand, Jackson shoved with king-queen, only to run into Staats’ pocket tens. The board ran clean, securing Staats’ second career bracelet and sending Jackson to the rail in second place for $271,490.

WSOP 2025 Event #13: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em Final Table Payouts 

Kenneth Kim And Cristian Gutierrez Win WSOP 2025 Deepstack Bracelets

Meanwhile, Kenneth Kim And Cristian Gutierrez claimed bracelets in Deepstack events. Kenneth Kim was the champion of the two Deepstack tournaments. The California player overcame a large field of 6,090 in Event #10: $600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack, earning $318,842 and his first WSOP gold bracelet. With the latest triumph, his career earnings now reach $800,000.

The top 918 finishers took a share from the total $3,069,360 prize pool, with top four players walking away with six-figure prizes. Alex Paredes finished runner-up for $212,275, while Daniel Muniz and Gary Blackwood took home $157,968 and $118,468, respectively.

WSOP 2025 Event #10: $600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack Final Table Results

Event #16: $600 Pot-Limit Omaha Deepstack of the World Series of Poker 2025 was won by Cristian Gutierrez who overcame  3,110 entries, claiming  his maiden bracelet and $193,780, almost three times larger than his previous top score of $85,815 that he earned for the final table finish in the $600 no-limit hold’em event at Borgata Winter Poker Open.

The top 467 finishers all earned a share of the $1,657,008 prize pool, with the top two receiving six-figure payouts. Robert Chorlian ended up as the runner-up, claiming $129,084 for his remarkable showing.

WSOP 2025 Event #16: $600 Pot-Limit Omaha Deepstack Final Table Payouts

Keep following PokerProNews for the latest updates and results from the World Series of Poker!

Sources: PGT Blog, CardPlayer, WSOP & Hendonmob

<p>The post WSOP 2025: Benny Glaser Goes Back-to-Back,Garza and Staats Win 2nd Bracelet first appeared on Global Poker News Daily: PokerProNews.com.</p>