Authorities sought the public’s help Wednesday in locating two paintings valued at $400,000 that were stolen from the Malibu foundation of Sam Simon, the late philanthropist and co-creator of “The Simpsons.”
One of the stolen pieces is a Roy Lichtenstein painting valued at $200,000, said Sgt. Matthew Dunn of the sheriff’s Lost Hill/Malibu station.
Lichtenstein, who died in 1997, was an American pop artist, and like Andy Warhol, was a prominent player in the new art movement during the 1960s. Dunn said he did not know the artist of the second stolen painting.
The sheriff’s sergeant said someone from the Sam Simon Foundation — which is located on the property in the 6000 block of Ramirez Canyon — called the sheriff’s Malibu station at midnight Friday to report the burglary.
Dunn said the residence was unlocked.
The paintings were owned by the foundation, a philanthropic organization created by Simon — who died March 8 of colorectal cancer at 59.
Simon, a former newspaper sports cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Francisco Examiner, was an Emmy-winning co-creator of the long-running animated comedy “The Simpsons,” along with James L. Brooks and Matt Groening.
Simon’s foundation feeds hungry families with vegan food and rescues stray and abused dogs, according to its website.
Anyone with any information regarding the theft was asked to call the sheriff’s Malibu/Lost Hills station at (818) 878-1808.
