Brooklyn, New York – November 16, 2025
The entertainment world is mourning Dan McGrath, an Emmy award-winning writer and producer best known for his work on The Simpsons, who died on November 14, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 61. His family confirmed that Dan McGrath’s cause of death was a stroke, leaving colleagues, fans, and fellow creatives grieving the loss of one of television’s most influential comedy voices.
Born in 1964, Dan McGrath built a remarkable career that spanned sketch comedy, animation, and groundbreaking storytelling, cementing his legacy as a beloved and respected figure in American television.
What Happened
According to his family, Dan McGrath died on November 14, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York, after suffering a stroke. Reports indicate that he passed away at a local hospital, where he had been receiving treatment.
The news of Dan McGrath’s death quickly spread through the entertainment industry and across social media, where fellow writers, animators, and fans shared an outpouring of grief and gratitude. While the stroke has been confirmed as the cause, there is no indication of any ongoing investigation or additional medical complications at this time.
For many, the breaking news felt deeply personal. McGrath’s writing shaped some of the most iconic moments in modern animated comedy, and his passing marks the end of a singular creative voice whose humor and heart touched millions.
Who Was Dan McGrath? Background of the Case
Dan McGrath was born in 1964 in New York City and raised in Brooklyn, where his early love for humor, satire, and storytelling began to take shape. He later attended Harvard University, where he became vice president of the famed humor publication The Harvard Lampoon, a launching pad for many of television’s most successful comedy writers.
From the beginning, McGrath had a knack for combining sharp, clever jokes with emotional depth. That gift led him to Saturday Night Live (SNL) in the early 1990s, where he wrote sketches alongside comedy legends such as Chris Farley and Adam Sandler. His work on SNL helped refine his distinctive style—smart, sarcastic, and yet surprisingly heartfelt—a style that would define his later projects.
Over time, he became recognized as one of the most adaptable and influential TV writers of his generation, moving seamlessly between sketch shows, network animation, and more experimental series while maintaining a consistent standard of excellence.
Career, Legacy, and Comedy Contributions
Dan McGrath’s legacy is most closely associated with his time on The Simpsons, where he helped shape what many fans consider the show’s “golden era.” He wrote or co-wrote numerous episodes, including classics such as “Boy-Scoutz ’n the Hood,” “Bart of Darkness,” and segments of “Treehouse of Horror” that are still widely celebrated.
One of his most important achievements was his work on the Emmy-winning episode “Homer’s Phobia,” which tackled LGBTQ+ themes with both sensitivity and biting humor. The episode not only won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program but was also honored by GLAAD for its thoughtful and progressive approach to representation.
Beyond The Simpsons, Dan McGrath contributed to several beloved animated and comedy series, including:
- King of the Hill – as both writer and producer over multiple seasons
- Mission Hill – where he helped craft its cult-favorite tone and characters
- Gravity Falls, Muppets Tonight, and other projects that blended sharp wit with emotional storytelling
His episodes are often praised for their layered jokes, memorable character moments, and subtle social commentary. Critics and fans alike credit McGrath with helping to prove that animated comedy could be both hilarious and deeply human.
Even late in his career, McGrath continued to mentor others and teach about comedy and culture, including offering courses on “comedy and cultural theory” at institutions in New York.
Public and Social Media Reactions
Following the announcement of Dan McGrath’s death, tributes poured in from colleagues, friends, and fans around the world. His sister, Gail McGrath Garabadian, shared a heartfelt message on social media, writing that the family had “lost [their] incredible brother Danny,” describing him as “one of a kind” and an “incredible son, brother, uncle and friend,” and expressing that their hearts are broken.
Fellow writers and showrunners who worked with McGrath on The Simpsons and other series have praised his creativity, generosity, and kindness. Some have called him an “unsung hero” of modern animated comedy, highlighting how often his work elevated episodes that became fan favorites and critical standouts.
On social media platforms, fans have been sharing their favorite Dan McGrath episodes, quotes, and scenes, using phrases like “Homer’s Phobia,” “Boy-Scoutz ’n the Hood,” and “Bart of Darkness” as informal hashtags and touchstones of his career. Many posts read like mini-obituaries and personal tributes, with people reflecting on how his writing shaped their childhoods, inspired their own creativity, or helped them feel seen through satire and storytelling.
The overall reaction is one of gratitude and sadness: gratitude for the laughter and insight his work brought, and sadness that such a singular voice has been silenced too soon.
Official Statements or What Happens Next
At this time, Dan McGrath’s family has confirmed that he died from a stroke on November 14, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York, but has not released detailed information regarding funeral or memorial arrangements.
Industry outlets and colleagues expect that there may be future public tributes, retrospectives, or special acknowledgments of Dan McGrath’s legacy on the shows he helped shape, particularly The Simpsons and King of the Hill. Fans and peers are already calling for dedicated marathons and commemorative programming to honor his impact on television comedy.
In place of flowers, some reports indicate that the family has requested donations to causes and institutions linked to McGrath’s life and education, including his alma mater and organizations that support the arts and creative education.
As the entertainment world continues to process this loss, Dan McGrath will be remembered as:
- A gifted writer with a unique comedic voice
- A collaborator who uplifted others
- A storyteller whose work blended sharp satire with emotional truth
His death is a major loss for the comedy and television community, but his legacy lives on in the episodes, characters, and jokes that continue to resonate with audiences of all ages.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
