Don Simpson as head of production at Paramount/ Later with his makeover for his role in Days of Thunder

Don Simpson: The Broken King

The producer of the original Top Gun

David Paul Kirkpatrick
11 min readJun 6, 2022

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Trigger Warning: abusive behavior, aggressive language

It was 1983. A blizzard had seized Anchorage, Alaska. Through the glass of the theater, I watched a limousine pull up into the night. In hurtling snow, the driver opened the door. Stepping out of the limo, in a knee-length camel hair coat, in mirrored shades, was the president of production of Paramount Pictures and, one day, the producer of Top Gun, the biggest movie of 1986.

This was Don Simpson. He looked like a Hollywood star arriving at the red carpet. But this was not a premier. This was a preview of a work in progress. Don looked to his right, then his left, searching for the fans. He was confused and high. Anchorage had closed down and there wasn’t a car in sight, let alone a human being.

This cold, god-forsaken city where the sun comes up only six months a year was Don’s hometown. Paramount has spent $137,000. to lug double system projectors so the unfinished film could be viewed for a recruited audience. The prodigal son returned in triumph as Paramount’s head of production. But there were only eight people in the audience to witness his triumph.

Fathers, be good to your sons. When they misbehave, don’t throw them against walls. Don’t beat them with your fists. You…

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David Paul Kirkpatrick

Founder of Story Summit & MIT Center for Future Storytelling, Pres of Paramount Film Group, Production Chief of Disney Studios, optimist, author and teacher.