The Simpsons and Thor Scribe Don Payne Has Passed Away

It's a sad day for Springfield and Hollywood alike: Award-winning writer Don Payne has passed away at the age of 48 after a battle with bone cancer.
Payne, who passed away on March 26, was best known for his work on the small screen with shows like The Simpsons (he co-wrote episodes such as "Fraudcast News," "Thursdays with Abie," "The Bart Wants What It Wants," and "Treehouse of Horror XI"), Men Behaving Badly, and Veronica's Closet, as well as having screenwriting credits for such films as Thor (and the upcoming Thor: The Dark World), Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer, and My Super Ex-Girlfriend. Payne, who was a recipient of the Writers Guild of America’s Paul Selvin Award in 2005, had most recently been working on an adaptation of James Patterson's Maximum Ride.

Payne, who is survived by his wife and three children, is remembered fondly by those who worked with him on various projects, including his longtime writing partner John Frink and close industry friend Scott Weinberg.