The Simpsons writer Steve Pepoon has died following a two-year battle with a rare heart condition called cardiac amyloidosis, and a woman whose husband shares the same diagnosis has now spoken out
Steve Pepoon, the Emmy Award-winning writer famed for his work on The Simpsons, has passed away at 68 outside his home in Paola, Kansas. The talented writer was celebrated for the much-loved episode ‘Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment’, which first appeared on television screens back in 1991.
Pepoon’s creative genius extended beyond Springfield, however, as he co-created the Nickelodeon hit The Wild Thornberrys and contributed to other beloved series such as Rugrats, ALF, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, and Roseanne. Pepoon’s family have now shared a heartfelt statement on Facebook, revealing that he had been battling a rare heart condition known as cardiac amyloidosis for two years prior to his death on May 3.
“It is with deep sadness that the family of Steve Pepoon announces his passing on Saturday, May 3, 2025,” the statement read.
“Steve was a beloved member of our family and was cherished by many friends. He will be greatly missed. A celebration of life event is being planned, and details will be shared soon.”
Tributes have since flooded social media, with fans and colleagues expressing their sorrow following the news and admiration for Pepoon’s work.
One person wrote: “This is the worst news. How can it be? He fought injustice until the end. A good human and great writer,” while another shared their shock: “OMG! What terrible news. He was an inspiration to me. Sending love and light.”
Cardiac amyloidosis is just one type of amyloidosis, a group of rare diseases characterised by the accumulation of amyloid protein in the body, potentially impacting the heart, kidneys, liver, nerves, or digestive system, according to the NHS.
Myeloma UK estimates that between 4,000 and 6,000 individuals in the UK are living with amyloidosis, with a significant number of cases likely undiagnosed. While there’s no cure for the condition, treatments exist to help patients manage their symptoms.
To raise awareness about living with amyloidosis, Tara Jay turned to social media after her husband was diagnosed with the disease.
“Amyloidosis – my husband’s diagnosis. Every time I talk about it, people are like, ‘What is amyloidosis?'” she expressed at the beginning of her video.
Tara mentioned that she had joined an amyloidosis support group on Facebook to find out what others wanted to know about the condition ‘since no one seems to know anything about it’.
“And there were quite a few takeaways and I’m just gonna go over all of them, things they say people should look for that they don’t realise is a sign that amyloidosis may exist in their body, treatment options, how to find treatment, how to get tested and all that good stuff,” Tara divulged.
“But the bottom line is that they want everyone to know is almost no one knows anything about it, even doctors! The treatment for it is a cancer treatment, yet some doctors define it as cancer and some doctors don’t, meaning that even the people who do understand this disease don’t necessarily understand the disease.”
Amyloidosis may not be classified as cancer, but it’s often linked to, and in some instances caused by, multiple myeloma, as noted by Myeloma UK.
“And while this is a rare disease, it is becoming less and less rare because I think we’re becoming more and more aware of the signs and finding it sooner and faster and earlier,” commented Tara.
The NHS outlines several common signs of amyloidosis, including severe fatigue, unintentional weight loss, breathlessness, swelling of the feet or legs, and distinctive bruising around the eyes.
Other symptoms vary depending on which areas of your body are affected. For example, chest pains can accompany an irregular heartbeat if your heart is involved; digestive issues might be present if the gastrointestinal system is affected; frothy urine may appear if the kidneys are impacted; pain or unusual sensations in the hands and feet can point to the brain being affected.
It’s vital to remember that these symptoms can also be indicative of numerous other conditions, and having them does not mean you have amyloidosis. If you have any concerns, it’s best to speak to your GP.