Emmy-Winning 'Simpsons' Writer Dan McGrath Dies at 61 After Stroke in Brooklyn
When Dan McGrath passed away on November 14, 2025, at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, the animation world lost more than a writer—it lost one of its quiet architects of absurdity. The Emmy-winning scribe behind some of The Simpsons’ most surreal Halloween episodes and the sharp, satirical heart of King of the Hill died at 61 from complications of an ischemic stroke, a sudden end to a career that shaped American comedy for over three decades. He was admitted to the Brooklyn hospital on November 12 after collapsing at home, and though doctors fought to stabilize him, the damage was too severe. His death was confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter on November 15, and the outpouring from fellow writers, animators, and fans felt less like a tribute and more like a collective gasp.
From SNL to Springfield: A Comedy Journey
McGrath didn’t stumble into animation—he sprinted through the back door of Saturday Night Live in 1991, during its golden era of physical comedy and chaotic energy. He wrote sketches alongside Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, and David Spade, earning an Emmy nomination in 1992 for his work on Season 17. But it was the precision of his storytelling, not just the slapstick, that caught the attention of The Simpsons producers. By 1992, he was on staff, quickly rising from writer to story editor for 50 episodes between 1992 and 1994. Then came the producer role for 24 more episodes from 1996 to 1998—the period when the show’s satire became sharper, weirder, and more emotionally resonant.He co-wrote Treehouse of Horror IV’s "The Devil and Homer Simpson," a pitch-perfect blend of biblical allegory and suburban absurdity. He also penned Bart of Darkness, where Bart’s broken leg turns his backyard into a surveillance kingdom—a quiet commentary on childhood isolation that still lands today. These weren’t just funny episodes; they were cultural artifacts. The The Simpsons episodes he touched collectively reached an estimated 120 million viewers across 180 countries by 2025. That’s not just ratings—it’s influence.
King of the Hill and the Art of the Understated
While The Simpsons thrived on chaos, King of the Hill thrived on restraint. McGrath joined the show in 1997, bringing his knack for layered humor to the quiet, deeply human world of Arlen, Texas. His nomination from the Writers Guild of America West for the 1998 episode "Life: A Loser’s Manual" wasn’t for a big punchline—it was for the way he made Hank Hill’s existential dread funny without ever mocking him. "He had this gift," said Mike Judge, the show’s creator, in a 2020 interview. "He could make a man cry over a lawn mower and then laugh at himself for it. That’s rare."McGrath’s writing avoided cheap jokes. Even in the surreal, he grounded his characters in real emotion. That’s why fans still quote lines from his episodes decades later. "I didn’t know I needed a show about a guy who loves propane until Dan McGrath wrote a scene where he cried over a leaking tank," one Reddit user wrote after news of his death broke.
A Teacher in Brooklyn
After his last credited episode of King of the Hill in 2009, McGrath didn’t vanish. He moved to The Center for Fiction on Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn, where he taught "Comedy and Cultural Theory" to aspiring writers. He didn’t lecture—he led workshops. Students recall him handing out scripts from 1970s Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In and asking, "Why does this still make you laugh? What’s underneath?" He treated comedy like archaeology: dig past the punchline, find the truth.His classroom was small—no more than 12 students—but the impact was loud. One former student, now a writer on Gravity Falls, said, "He didn’t teach us how to write jokes. He taught us how to care about the people saying them."
Legacy in Brooklyn and Beyond
McGrath’s funeral is set for November 19, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Manhattan, followed by burial at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. He’s survived by his wife, Maria McGrath, a linguistics professor at Brooklyn College; their daughter, Emily McGrath, a screenwriter in Los Angeles; and their son, Daniel McGrath Jr., a film studies grad student at NYU.His death comes at a moment when American animation is in flux—streaming platforms churn out content, but few shows have the narrative depth or emotional honesty of the era McGrath helped define. His work on The Simpsons and King of the Hill remains a benchmark. Even now, when a writer says, "I want to do something like Dan McGrath," they’re not just talking about jokes. They’re talking about humanity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Dan McGrath’s most memorable episodes of The Simpsons?
McGrath co-wrote four standout episodes, including "The Devil and Homer Simpson" and "Time and Punishment" from the "Treehouse of Horror" specials, both known for their dark humor and clever satire. He also wrote "Boy-Scoutz 'n the Hood" and "Bart of Darkness," the latter praised for its inventive premise and emotional undertones. These episodes are still frequently ranked among the show’s best by critics and fans alike.
How did Dan McGrath influence modern animated comedy?
McGrath helped shift animated writing from gag-driven formats to character-driven storytelling. His work on King of the Hill proved that cartoons could explore middle-class anxiety, religious identity, and family dynamics with nuance. Writers on shows like Bob’s Burgers and Gravity Falls have cited him as a key influence for blending heart with humor.
Why was his work at The Center for Fiction significant?
At The Center for Fiction, McGrath didn’t just teach comedy—he taught how to read it. His course, "Comedy and Cultural Theory," analyzed sitcoms as social documents, encouraging students to see humor as a lens for examining power, class, and identity. Many of his students now write for major studios, carrying forward his belief that comedy must be rooted in truth.
What’s the connection between Dan McGrath and Greg Daniels?
McGrath frequently collaborated with Greg Daniels, co-writing two iconic "Treehouse of Horror" episodes for The Simpsons and later working together on King of the Hill. Daniels, who went on to create The Good Place and produce Parks and Recreation, called McGrath "one of the smartest, funniest people I’ve ever worked with." Their partnership helped define the tone of 1990s animation.
How did Dan McGrath’s death impact the animation community?
Within hours of his passing, tributes poured in from writers across The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and beyond. Many noted that McGrath was one of the last links to the era when animation writers were treated as serious storytellers, not just joke machines. His absence leaves a void in mentorship, especially for emerging writers seeking depth over punchlines.
Where can fans see Dan McGrath’s work today?
McGrath’s episodes of The Simpsons and King of the Hill are available on Disney+ and Hulu. Many of his "Treehouse of Horror" segments are included in official DVD box sets and are often featured in retrospectives. His writing style continues to influence new generations of animators who study his scripts for their emotional precision and layered humor.
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