Adult Animation ”The Simpsons” and ”Rick and Morty” producer, J. Michael Mendel, sadly died on Sep 24-2019 in his Los Angeles based family home. The Shocking news has many Simpsons fans all over the world, crying over their favorite comic-character producer’s untimely departure. The four-time Emmy winner was only 54 at the time of his death in late 2019.
Adult Swim’s spokesperson recently confirmed the news. A spokesperson for The channel where ”Rick and Morty” airs outed the news via his twitter handle along with a press conference:
“All of us at Adult Swim are devastated by the untimely passing of Mike Mendel. Mike was the heart of the ”Rick and Morty” production family, his fantastic talent and wit will be sorely missed.
He again went on to remind all fans that his friend and producer Mike was a universally respected Emmy-winner who worked for over 25 years in the industry. Then, he paid his homage to the man who shaped the future generation of Animation and said Mendel guided and supported a generation of artists, writers, and creators.
He expressed his deepest condolences towards J. Michael’s family, and friends in the difficult time they are going through. The spokesperson then ended the message saying his absence will be felt by the entire community.
— [adult swim] (@adultswim) September 24, 2019
What Caused Mike Mendel’s Death?
Mike’s wife Juel Bestrop after her husband’s untimely demise speaking to the Hollywood Reporter said that her beloved husband died of natural causes in their LA-based home.
As per her, Mike’s death was peaceful, and they don’t want their family matter to be a media scandal hence hasn’t outed all details about her spouse’s death. Mike is now survived by his beloved wife Juel and two of his children Jesse and Jacob.
Who Was Mike Mendel? Know His Bio & Achievements
American Producer J. Michael Mendel first worked as a studio assistant for ABC soap operas All My Children while he was a student at Syracuse University in New York. But after graduating from Syracuse University in a bachelor of science degree in TV/Film Production, he headed towards the west coast in quest of finding a place in the Hollywood industry.
Before the painting TV screen with numerous Simpson characters, he worked as a production assistant for Broadcast News in 1987. Then he went on to take the job of the associate producer at The Tracey Ullman Show. Mendel then served as a producer a successful animated sitcom The Simpsons and had won four Emmis for his work as a Simpsons producer. He is also famous as the Tom Cruise starer movie Jerry McGuire’s associate producer.
Between 1989-1999, Mendel held producer credits on 207 episodes and won three Emmys in 1995, 1997, and 1998. He earned his fourth in 2018 for his work as a line producer on ”Rick and Morty” after four years with the show.
Mendel is survived by his wife, fellow Emmy winner and casting director Juel Bestrop.
Social Media Reactions and Tribute
Here are a few heartfelt Twitter and Instagram reactions from Mike’s friends over the news of his sudden and untimely death:
First, let’s begin with Rick & Marty’s voice actor and director Justin Roiland’s Tweet:
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
After Justin, Simpsons’ Executive producer and writer Al Jean posted an old picture with the backend writers crew which featured Mike Mendel wearing Gray Shirt.
.@TheSimpsons V v sorry to learn of the passing of Mike Mendel (left) great guy. Our thoughts are with his family. pic.twitter.com/slCcW5WSSI
— Al Jean (@AlJean) September 23, 2019
Dan Harmon’s Tearful Farewell
After that another writer-director and his recent project’s co-producer Dan Harmon shared a heartbreaking Instagram post dedicated to the late producer captioning:
I can’t handle seeing his cropped photo in headlines with the word dead in them. I hate the phrase RIP it makes me picture styrofoam tombstones at a Halloween party. Rick and Morty has lost Mike Mendel, a man that deserves a better obituary and in my angry opinion, a better god. That opinion is a projection of my shame. I took Mike for granted. He was always needed and he was always there. He’s going to be needed tomorrow and he won’t be there. The wound will scar but there will be a hole through everything we do from now on. I have only angry things to say for now, that’s how valuable mike was. I can’t keep editing these words so here’s a kitten and I’m gonna take a nap.”
Surely, the producer has a huge effect on TV-Sitcoms and he will live forever with The Simpsons.