J. Michael Mendel, producer of "Simpsons" and "Rick and Morty", 54 years old

J. Michael Mendel, producer of "Rick and Morty" and "The Simpsons", winner of an Emmy, has died two days before his 55th birthday.

He spent Sunday night "natural causes" at home in Studio City, Los Angeles, according to his wife, Juel Bestrop, an Emmy award-winning casting director.

Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, the television house of "Rick and Morty" since its inception in 2013, issued the following statement: "At Adult Swim, we are all devastated by Mike Mendel's untimely death. Mike was the heart of the Rick and Morty production family; his fantastic talent and spirit will be missed. "

The network then praised Mendel as a "globally recognized winners of an Emmy with over 25 years in the industry and who guided and supported a generation of artists , writers and creators. His absence will be felt by the whole community. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. "

Justin Roiland, co-creator of "Rick and Morty", also tweeted a tribute"My friend, partner and executive producer, Mike Mendel, has passed away. I am devastated. My heart is breaking for his family. I do not know what I'm going to do without you by my side, Mike. I am destroyed. "

The producer of the "Simpsons", Al Jean, also published a tribute on Twitter: "V v sorry to hear the passing of Mike Mendel, a good guy. Our thoughts are with his family.

Mendel worked as a post-production supervisor on "The Tracey Ullman Show," who first broadcast "The Simpsons," before moving on to "The Simpsons" when it became an independent series in 1989. He contributed to the production of 207 episodes of "The Simpsons". During his 10 years of service, he accumulated three Emmys in 1995, 1997 and 1998.

Mendel then worked as an associate producer on "Rick and Morty" from 2013 to 2017, earning a fourth Emmy in 2018. He has also been a production assistant for such films as "Big" and "Jerry Maguire" and enjoys Generic animation for "The Critique", "Napoleon Dynamite" and countless other productions.

Mendel is survived by his wife and two children.