Rise to Success: Career Highlights of David Simon

How David Simon built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

David Simon is an American author, journalist, screenwriter, and producer. He is most recognized for creating and producing the critically acclaimed television series *The Wire* (2002–2008), which offered a complex and realistic portrayal of urban life, crime, and the failures of institutions. His work often explores themes of social inequality, systemic corruption, and the human cost of political and economic forces. He is also known for other television projects such as *Generation Kill*, *Treme*, *Show Me a Hero*, *The Deuce*, and *We Own This City*.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1982: Starts at The Baltimore Sun

In 1982, David Simon began working as a police reporter at The Baltimore Sun, prior to this he was hired for a piece he wrote about Lefty Driesell.

1987: Writing Staff Strike

In 1987, David Simon was a union captain when the writing staff at The Baltimore Sun went on strike over benefit cuts, leaving him feeling disillusioned.

1988: Shadows Homicide Unit

In 1988, David Simon shadowed the Baltimore Police Department homicide unit for a year, an experience that served as the basis for his book.

1988: Takes Leave to Write Book

In 1988, David Simon, feeling disillusioned, took a year's leave from The Baltimore Sun to write a book about the Baltimore Police Department Homicide Unit.

1991: Publishes Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets

In 1991, David Simon published "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets", based on his experiences shadowing the Baltimore Police Department homicide unit.

Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets

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1993: Leaves Baltimore Sun to Research The Corner

In 1993, David Simon took a second leave of absence from the Baltimore Sun to research "The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood".

1993: Homicide: Life on the Street TV Series

In 1993, Homicide: Life on the Street, the award-winning TV series based on Simon's book, began airing. Simon worked as a writer and producer on the show, which ran until 1999.

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1995: Leaves Baltimore Sun

David Simon worked as a police reporter at The Baltimore Sun from 1982 to 1995.

1995: Leaves Baltimore Sun for Homicide

In 1995, David Simon left his job with the Baltimore Sun to work full-time on Homicide: Life on the Street during the show's fourth season.

1997: Co-Authors The Corner

In 1997, David Simon co-authored "The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood" with Ed Burns, documenting a West Baltimore community.

1999: Homicide: Life on the Street Series Ends

In 1999, Homicide: Life on the Street, the award-winning TV series based on Simon's book, ended. Simon worked as a writer and producer on the show.

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2000: The Corner Mini-Series Airs

In 2000, David Simon adapted "The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood" into the HBO mini-series, The Corner.

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November 2001: The Wire Pilot Given to HBO

In November 2001, the completed pilot episode of "The Wire" was given to HBO.

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2002: Premiere of The Wire

In 2002, David Simon's television show, The Wire, premiered. He served as the creator, executive producer, head writer, and showrunner of the HBO television series, The Wire.

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2003: Invasion of Iraq

In 2003, the First 40 days of the Invasion of Iraq inspired David Simon, along with Ed Burns and Evan Wright, to produce and write Generation Kill for HBO

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2004: Simon's Cynicism About Journalism

In 2004, David Simon expressed in an interview with Reason his increasing cynicism about the power of journalism since leaving the newspaper business.

2008: The Wire Concludes

In 2008, David Simon's television show, The Wire, concluded. He served as the creator, executive producer, head writer, and showrunner of the HBO television series, The Wire.

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May 2009: Senate Hearing Testimony

In May 2009, David Simon testified at a Senate hearing regarding the future of journalism in America, expressing his negative views on online journalism and the concept of the 'citizen journalist'.

April 11, 2010: Treme Premieres on HBO

On April 11, 2010, the HBO series Treme, created by David Simon and Eric Overmyer, premiered, focusing on musicians in post-Katrina New Orleans.

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2012: Commencement Speaker

In 2012, David Simon was the commencement speaker for the Georgetown University College of Arts and Sciences and the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School graduation.

November 2013: Speech on Inequality

In November 2013, during a speech at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas in Sydney, David Simon stated that America has become "a horror show" of savage inequality due to capitalism run amok and called for a reevaluation of socialism.

2014: HBO Greenlights Show Me a Hero

In 2014, HBO greenlit production for David Simon's next project, "Show Me a Hero", a six-hour miniseries co-written with William F. Zorzi.

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August 16, 2015: Show Me a Hero Premieres

On August 16, 2015, the miniseries "Show Me a Hero", co-written by David Simon and William F. Zorzi, premiered, starring Oscar Isaac.

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October 2015: The Deuce Pilot Shooting

In October 2015, shooting began for the pilot of The Deuce, a television series created by David Simon and George Pelecanos.

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January 2016: The Deuce Picked Up

In January 2016, The Deuce, a television series created by David Simon and George Pelecanos, was picked up to series.

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September 10, 2017: The Deuce Premiere

On September 10, 2017, The Deuce, a television series created by David Simon along with George Pelecanos, premiered on HBO in the United States. The show is set in Times Square, New York, and focuses on the rise of the porn industry in the 1970s-80s.

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2017: The Deuce Airs

In 2017, "The Deuce", a drama about the New York porn industry in the 1970s and 1980s created by David Simon and George Pelecanos, first aired.

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2019: Firing of Agents

In 2019, David Simon joined other writers in firing their agents as part of the Writers Guild of America's stand against the Association of Talent Agents. Simon had previously criticized the practice of packaging by major talent agencies.

2019: The Deuce Concludes

In 2019, the drama series about the New York porn industry in the 1970s and 1980s called "The Deuce" created by David Simon and George Pelecanos concluded.

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March 16, 2020: The Plot Against America Premiere

On March 16, 2020, The Plot Against America, a six-part miniseries adapted from Philip Roth's novel, premiered on HBO. The show tells an alternate history through the eyes of a Jewish family in Newark, New Jersey.

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2020: The Plot Against America Debuts

In 2020, David Simon's series, "The Plot Against America", debuted.

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April 25, 2022: We Own This City Premieres on HBO

On April 25, 2022, the six-episode limited series "We Own This City", developed and written by George Pelecanos and David Simon, and directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, premiered on HBO.