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