Oscar-nominated filmmaker Morgan Spurlockdirector of the groundbreaking documentary “Super Engórdame”passed away after a private battle with cancer at age 53.
According to a family statement, Spurlock “passed away peacefully in New York surrounded by family and friends” on Thursday due to complications related to cancer. It is known that he had been receiving chemotherapy treatment at the beginning of the year.
Craig Spurlock, the filmmaker’s brother, said: “It was a sad day as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan. Morgan gave so much through his art, ideas and generosity. The world has lost a true creative genius and a special man. “I am very proud to have worked alongside him.”
Spurlock rose to fame with his documentary “Super Size Me,” which premiered 20 years ago at the Sundance Film Festival. In the film, Spurlock underwent an experiment where she only consumed McDonald’s food for 30 days, documenting how her weight increased dramatically and her liver suffered near-catastrophic damage from subsisting on fast food.
The documentary raised more than USD 20 million dollars worldwide, establishing Spurlock as one of the most successful figures in nonfiction cinema. However, his career was derailed in 2017, when he publicly confessed to a history of sexual misconduct, leading him to resign from Warrior Poets, the production company he had founded in 2004.
Other of his notable works were “Mansome,” “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold” and “Where In the World Is Osama Bin Laden?” Spurlock frequently appeared in his documentaries, displaying an affable presence and a distinctive mustache. Despite his often humorous style, he explored profound themes such as consumerism, advertising, masculinity and the war on terrorism. In 2013, she directed “One Direction: This Is Us,” a documentary about the popular British band.
The family highlighted in their statement: “Spurlock bravely challenged modern conventions, using humor and intelligence to shed light on social problems. His films inspired critical thinking and encouraged viewers to question the status quo. Over thirteen years, his production company Warrior Poets produced and directed nearly 70 documentaries and television series.
At the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival, Spurlock presented “Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!”, focused on opening his own fast food restaurant. Although the film was not released to theaters until two years later, his career had already been affected by his self-incrimination during the #MeToo movement.
In a lengthy post published on December 14, 2017, Spurlock recounted incidents from her past, including accusations of sexual harassment and a rape in college. He admitted to being unfaithful to all of her partners and concluded by pointing out: “I’m going to do better. I will be better. I think we all can.”
Before his personal scandal came to light, Spurlock had acquired the rights to the book “Can I Go Now: The Life of Sue Mengers, Hollywood’s Superagent” for a documentary that was never made. This episode marked a contrast to her previous public profile that rivaled prominent documentary filmmakers.
Spurlock is survived by two children, Laken and Kallen; his mother, Phyllis; his father, Ben; his brothers Craig and Barry, and his ex-wives Alexandra Jamieson and Sara Bernstein.
The family said details of the memorial service will be announced soon and invited donations to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in New York in Morgan’s honor.
