Nov 16, 2025 (Agencies): Dan McGrath, an Emmy-winning comedy writer best known for his work on animated classics ranging from the inimitable The Simpsons to the cult favorite Mission Hill, died on November 14. He was 61.
“We lost my incredible brother Danny yesterday. He was a special man, one of a kind. An incredible son, brother, uncle and friend. Our hearts are broken,” wrote his sister, Gail McGrath Garabadian, on Facebook.
The Simpsons has a history of seemingly predicting real-life events, including Donald Trump’s presidency, the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney, and the rise of smartwatches. While these “predictions” are often cited as uncanny, they are more accurately explained by the writers’ keen observation of trends, satire, and the simple coincidence that comes with a show running for decades.
Born on July 20, 1964, in Brooklyn, McGrath graduated from Regis High School and Harvard University, where he served as vice president of the storied humor publication The Harvard Lampoon and was a prolific theater director, according to his online obituary.
