Born in Chicago, IL; son of David Simon, who was the manager of the Universal Film Exchange office in New York; cousin of actress Aline MacMahon. Educated at the University of Michigan and Columbia University Law School. A former drama instructor and radio executive, he bagan directing for the stage in 1933, and in 1935 he joined Warners as director of screen tests. From 1937 he directed numerous routine thrillers and light romances and comedies for Universal, then MGM. He ended his directing career with a strong melodrama, LUST FOR GOLD (1949), and began producing not long before his sudden death from a heart attack at the age of 41. Visit the Internet Movie Database for a listing of Simon's directing and producing credits.  Nominated for Best Picture 1950: BORN YESTERDAY - Producer at Columbia 1 nomination