“The Simpsons” is the longest-running American sitcom, the longest-running American animated program, and in 2009 it surpassed Gunsmoke as the longest-running American primetime, scripted television series. And with it’s twenty-third season in full swing, the show is preparing to air it’s milestone 500th episode.
Not only are fans and creators of the show celebrating, so is UCLA.
The show’s creator and 12-time Emmy winner, Matt Groening, has donated $500,000 to UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television to mark the milestone, the university announced Monday.
The money will create the Matt Groening Chair in Animation, which will fund visiting artists, the Los Angeles Times reports. This is also the second year that Groening has given $50,000 to the school to support student-made animated shorts with social responsibility themes.
“Matt Groening is recognized globally as a preeminent and pioneering animator, storyteller, cartoonist, writer and producer,” Dean Teri Schwartz said in a statement. “His groundbreaking animated series have truly changed the landscape of television and have become a gold standard for animation and great storytelling throughout the entertainment industry.”
A Reuters video shows fans gathered in Los Angeles last week for a viewing marathon, with the goal of watching all 500 episodes.
Groening, who also created the comic strip Life in Hell and Comedy Central’s Futurama, will receive his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Tuesday to celebrate the show’s 500th episode, which airs Sunday, Feb. 19 at 8p.m. on Fox.
