William Donald "Don" Payne (May 5, 1964 – March 26, 2013) was an American television and film writer and producer. He is best known for contributing scripts to the animated series The Simpsons in the early 2000s, frequently collaborating with fellow writer John Frink, whom he met while studying at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Film work
In addition to his television work, Payne wrote several films for major studios. His screen credits include:
- My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006)
- Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
- Thor (2011)
- Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Personal life and death
Payne was born in Wilmington, North Carolina. He lived and worked in Los Angeles for much of his career.
He died of bone cancer on March 26, 2013, at his home in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 48. He was survived by his wife and their children.