‘Simpsons’ Creator Sam Simon ‘Tremendous Spirit’ in Cancer Battle Says Tilly

In an extraordinary interview conducted by Elaina Sauber of CardPlayer.com Wednesday, actress and poker player Jennifer Tilly opens up about her ex-husband’s fight with cancer.

Her ex is none other than Sam Simon, creator of the long running animated primetime Fox series “The Simpsons”.

Nearly a year ago Simon gave away his fortune after being told he only had months to live.  He continues to fight.

The nine-time Emmy award winner was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer back in May of last year and was told he only has 3 to 6 months to live.  He gave away his massive television empire to various charitable organizations that help animals and fight hunger.

"I get pleasure from it. I love it. I don't feel like it is an obligation," Simon said.

His Sam Simon Foundation in Malibu is worth $23 million.

The 55-year-old Tilly told CardPlayer.com, “The doctor gave him three to six months to live—he said, ‘Maybe longer with treatment, maybe two years.’ It’s been over a year and a half now.

“[Sam is] spending his time giving away money to animals—he’s travelling around the world. He went to Taiji [Japan] to protest the dolphin slaughters, and he went to New Brunswick in the dead of winter—even though with his reduced hemoglobin count, the cold could literally kill him—to protest the seal slaughters. He’s buying up animals in horrible roadside zoos and releasing them to sanctuaries. So he’s in really good spirits—he has an amazing attitude.”

If there is one think he would like to be doing but can’t right now it is playing in the 2014 World Series of Poker Main Event next month.

"He was disappointed that he doesn’t have the strength to sit through 10 days in the main event, and he’s gone very deep in the main event before."

- Ace King, Gambling911.com