Melvin Simon, founder of mega-mall operator Simon Property Group, died today at 82. While Simon is best known for running the largest mall operator in the U.S., with hundreds of properties nationwide, he made other — far more significant — contributions to America’s cultural landscape. And, no, we’re not talking about the Indiana Pacers, which he also owned. Simon was also a movie producer, and helped reinvent the teen sex comedy with “Porky’s,” the 1982 classic that introduced the world to the unique talents of Kim Cattrall and educated millions of young men about what not to do in the shower. We’ll remember you for that, Mel — not for flooding the nation with Hot Topics, Piercing Pagodas and A&Fs.
