https://thelaughbutton.com/matty-simmons-co-founder-of-the-national-lampoon-has-passed-away-at-93



Matty Simmons, co-founder of “National Lampoon” has passed away at 93

April 30, 2020 The Laugh Button Staff

Today, the world of comedy has been dealt a pretty sad blow with the news that Matty Simmons, who co-founded the National Lampoon magazine and produced National Lampoon film’s such as Animal House and Vacation, has passed away at 93.

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In April 1970, comedy was in for a rude awakening and was bound to never be the same when the very first issue of National Lampoon hit the newsstands. Behind it was Harvard Lampoon alumni Doug Kenney and Henry Beard. To help oversee the magazine, they enlisted the help of Matty Simmons, best known at that time for the Weight Watchers magazine. Together, they changed the landscape of comedy and usher in a changing of the guards.

National Lampoon helped introduce us to some of the sharpest minds of comedy, with a long roster that includes John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Christopher Guest, Richard Belzer, and Michael O’Donoghue. In addition to the magazine, they were responsible for a popular stage show, Lemmings, a radio show dubbed The National Lampoon Radio Hour, and countless records.

In 1978, the National Lampoon brand brought us Animal House, starring John Belushi and produced by Simmons. A runaway hit at the box office, it helped mold every raucous college and teen film that would come. And to follow that up with the Vacation series of films just goes to show what a lasting impact both National Lampoon as well as Simmons has had on us all.

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