Morgan Spurlock, an American documentary filmmaker, playwright, screenwriter, and television producer who received critical acclaim for directing the documentary film “Super Size Me,” passed away on Thursday.
Spurlock’s family confirmed he died at the age of 53 due to complications of cancer. His brother, Craig Spurlock, paid him the tribute, saying, “It was a day, as we said goodbye to Morgan.”
“He gave so much through his art, ideas, and generosity; today, the world has lost a true creative genius.”
Who was Morgan Spurlock?
Spurlock was born on 7 November 1970, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, to Ben and Phyllis Spurlock. Throughout his career, Spurlock produced 70 films and directed around 23 movies.
In 2004, he gained recognition for directing a documentary film, “Super Size Me.” The documentary was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film.
It grossed over $20 million at the global box office and sparked a conversation about how the fast food industry encourages poor nutrition.
Spurlock’s work addressed a wide range of controversial and topical subjects, including the US war in Afghanistan, minimum wage, immigrant labor, and consumer susceptibility to marketing.
In December 2017, the director also participated in the #MeToo movement. He wrote a lengthy note on his social media, claiming he was also part of the problem. Spurlock admitted that he had settled an allegation of sexual harassment from a former assistant.
He had also been accused of rape in college. Spurlock was married thrice: Priscilla Sommer (1996-2003), Alex Jamieson (2006-2011), and Sara Bernstein (2016-2024). He was the father of two sons, Laken and Kallen.
Morgan Spurlock’s legacy is marked by his bold, thought-provoking work and complex, sometimes controversial, personal history. His contributions to documentary filmmaking have left an indelible mark on the industry and audiences worldwide.
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