Morgan Spurlock, the acclaimed documentary filmmaker known for his groundbreaking work in the genre, tragically passed away at the age of 53. Spurlock rose to fame with his controversial film "Supersize Me," which explored the impact of fast food consumption on health.
Throughout his career, Spurlock continued to push boundaries and challenge societal norms through his thought-provoking documentaries. His unique storytelling style and commitment to shedding light on important issues made him a pioneer in the field of documentary filmmaking.
Spurlock died Thursday in New York from complications of cancer, according to a statement issued Friday by his family and obtained by CBS News.
"It was a sad day, as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan," Craig Spurlock, who worked with him on several projects, in the statement. "Morgan gave so much through his art, ideas, and generosity. The world has lost a true creative genius and a special man. I am so proud to have worked together with him."
The documentary helped boost public consciousness about the nutritional content of fast food and America's obesity epidemic, inspiring a backlash against McDonald's and other big-name restaurant chains. "Super Size Me" was nominated for best documentary feature at the 77th Academy Awards in 2005.
"Super Size Me" provoked a national debate and grossed more than $22 million on a modest $65,000 budget. But it came under the microscope over the accuracy of some of its claims about health and science. Spurlock's disclosure in 2017 that he was drinking heavily through much of his life put his purported symptoms in a new light.
The filmmaker also starred in and created the 2011 metacinema documentary “POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold,” which was paid for entirely by sponsors as he dove head first into the world of product placement, marketing and advertising.
He is survived by two sons, Laken and Kallen; mom Phyllis Spurlock; dad Ben; brothers Craig and Barry; and ex-wives Alexandra Jamieson and Sara Bernstein, the mothers of his two children.
In December 2017, as the #MeToo movement continued to gain traction, Spurlock wrote a lengthy social media post saying he was “part of the problem.” In the post, he admitted to serial infidelities and said he had settled an allegation of sexual harassment from a former assistant. He also said he had been accused of rape in college. The post effectively ended Spurlock’s documentary career, as Spurlock stepped down from Warrior Poets shortly after.
Spurlock is survived by his two children, Laken and Kallen; mother, Phyllis Spurlock; father Ben (Iris); brothers Craig (Carolyn) and Barry (Buffy); multiple nieces and nephews; and former spouses, Alexandra Jamieson and Sara Bernstein.
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