Don Simpson had been a cocaine freak for years, without apparent problems

He had it under control. The blow just kept him firing and moving. But years of cocaine can often lead to paranoia, delusions and depression.

More to the point by 1990, Don was 45. For 20 years he had worked very hard, which in Hollywood is often a matter of keeping up the show of work, of meetings, taking calls, making deals, when lesser people are dropping.

Don didn’t drop. He was always there, still grinning, still high. He ate – ice cream, peanut butter, junk food – and he did cocaine. He screwed hookers. A lot of hookers. He was never married, not even close.

He had a well-earned reputation for funding orgies, and word got out – it’s a word-of-mouth town – that the orgies were sadomasochistic. He liked to impose pain, indignity and humiliation on women. But always wanted them to leave as friends.