Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, known for his works that criticized America’s food industry, has passed away at the age of 53 due to complications from cancer.
Spurlock’s death was announced by his family in a statement on Friday.
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Driving the news: Spurlock gained recognition in 2004 with his documentary film “Super Size Me,” which was nominated for an Academy Award.
- In the film, he documented the physical and psychological effects of consuming only McDonald’s food for 30 days. The film exposed the detrimental impact of fast-food diets on health, including weight gain, high cholesterol, and loss of libido.
- “Super Size Me” grossed over $22 million on a budget of only $65,000. It was released before the influential book “Fast Food Nation” by Eric Schlosser, which also criticized the fast food industry for its environmental impact and labor issues.
- In 2017, Spurlock released a sequel to “Super Size Me” called “Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!” in which he examined the poultry industry and the deceptive marketing practices of fast-food chains. He highlighted issues faced by chicken farmers and emphasized the importance of consumer empowerment.
- While his most notable works focused on the food industry, Spurlock also made films on various other topics, including the boy band One Direction, the Comic-Con convention, and the search for Osama bin Laden.
- Spurlock grew up in Beckley, West Virginia, and graduated from New York University with a degree in film in 1993. He is survived by his two sons, Laken and Kallen, his mother Phyllis Spurlock, his father Ben, and his brothers Craig and Barry. He also had two former spouses, Alexandra Jamieson and Sara Bernstein.
