Rabat – The producer of the famous animated TV series “The Simpsons” and “Rick and Morty,” J. Michael Mendel, died last Sunday, September 22, at the age of 54. The news was first shared by Adult Swim, the US television network that broadcasts “Rick and Morty,” on their Twitter account.
— [adult swim] (@adultswim) September 24, 2019
Mendel worked on “The Simpsons” since the animated series launch in 1989. He produced 207 episodes for the show between 1989 and 1999. He won three Emmy Awards for his work on “The Simpsons.” The producer collected the award for best animated program, in 1995, 1997, and 1998.
The late producer worked on many other series after quitting “The Simpsons” production team, notably “Rick and Morty.” Mendele co-created the animated series with Justin Roiland in 2013. The third episode of the third season of this show, “Pickle Rick,” earned Mendel a fourth Emmy Award, in 2018.
Roiland paid tribute to his friend and partner Mendel on Twitter.
My friend, partner, and line producer Mike Mendel passed away. I am devastated. My heart breaks for his family. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you by my side Mike. I’m destroyed.
— Justin Roiland (@JustinRoiland) September 23, 2019
Mendel’s wife, Emmy-winning casting director Juel Bestrop, told the Hollywood Reporter that her husband died of natural causes at their home in Los Angeles. Mendel and his wife had two children, a son, Jacob, and a daughter, Jesse.