Los Angeles [US] – Emmy-winning comedy writer Dan McGrath, best known for his credits on classic animated series like ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘Mission Hill’, has passed away at 61, reports 24brussels. McGrath died on November 14 at the NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn after suffering a stroke, according to The Hollywood Reporter. His sister, Gail McGrath Garabadian, confirmed the news in a Facebook post, describing him as a “special man.”

“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,” she wrote.

Born on July 20, 1964, in Brooklyn, McGrath completed his studies at Regis High School and Harvard University, where he served as vice president of ‘The Harvard Lampoon’ while also directing theatre productions, as detailed in his online obituary. His early career included a stint as a writer for ‘Saturday Night Live’, where he received an Emmy nomination in 1992, frequently collaborating with Chris Farley and Adam Sandler.

McGrath’s noteworthy contributions to ‘The Simpsons’ include the 1997 episode “Homer’s Phobia,” which won him an Emmy Award. This episode featured director John Waters as a gay antiques dealer befriended by Marge, leading to Homer’s comedic attempts to shield Bart from the scenario. Other distinguished episodes written by McGrath are ‘Boy-Scoutz ‘n the Hood’, ‘The Devil and Homer Simpson’, and ‘Time and Punishment’.

His writing portfolio also extends to shows like ‘Mission Hill’, ‘King of the Hill’, ‘Sammy’, ‘The PJs’, and ‘Muppets Tonight’. McGrath is survived by his mother, Eleanor; brothers, Peter and Michael; sister, Gail; and wife, Caroline, as reported by Variety.