Claim: Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer worked together to produce Top Gun.

Donald Clarence `` Don '' Simpson -LRB- October 29 , 1943 -- January 19 , 1996 -RRB- was an American film producer , screenwriter , and actor . Simpson , along with his producing partner Jerry Bruckheimer , produced such hit films as Flashdance -LRB- 1983 -RRB- , Beverly Hills Cop -LRB- 1984 -RRB- , Top Gun -LRB- 1986 -RRB- , and The Rock -LRB- 1996 -RRB- . Their films would go on to earn $ 3 billion worldwide .