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| Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com |
Morgan Spurlock, the documentary filmmaker renowned for capturing his own psychological and physical symptoms from eating McDonald’s every day for a month in the Oscar-nominated 2004 feature “Super Size Me,” died Thursday in upstate New York due to complications from cancer. He was 53.
Spurlock’s family confirmed his death.Spurlock’s family confirmed his death.
“It was a sad day, as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan,” said Craig Spurlock, who worked with his brother on several projects. “Morgan gave so much through his art, ideas, and generosity. Today the world has lost a true creative genius and a special man. I am so proud to have worked together with him.”
Spurlock gained prominence with “Super Size Me,” where he conducted an experiment consuming only McDonald’s food for 30 days, with the rule that he could not refuse the “super-size” option if offered. The filmmaker also reduced his physical activity to match the average American's level. By the end of the experiment, Spurlock claimed to have gained 25 pounds and experienced depression and liver dysfunction.
“Super Size Me” resonated widely upon its 2004 release, grossing $22 million at the global box office and sparking discussions about the fast food industry's role in poor nutrition. Following the documentary’s release, McDonald’s discontinued its “super-size” option. While the film remains an educational tool in some school health classes, it has faced criticism over its accuracy, particularly because Spurlock did not publicly share his diet log. Spurlock later revealed struggles with alcohol abuse, which some argue could have influenced his conclusions about liver dysfunction.
Born on November 7, 1970, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Spurlock was raised Methodist but later identified as agnostic. He graduated with a BFA in film from New York University in 1993.
After “Super Size Me,” Spurlock continued to find success with his production company, Warrior Poets, producing and directing nearly 70 documentary films and television series. His work often tackled controversial and topical subjects, including the U.S. war in Afghanistan (“Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden”), minimum wage and immigrant labor (“30 Days”), consumer susceptibility to marketing (“The Greatest Movie Ever Sold”), trophy hunting and body modification (“7 Deadly Sins”), elder care and gambling (“Morgan Spurlock Inside Man”), and corporate pressure on family farms (“Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!”).
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In December 2017, amid the #MeToo movement, Spurlock posted a candid admission on social media, stating he was “part of the problem.” He confessed to serial infidelities, settling a sexual harassment claim from a former assistant, and being accused of rape in college. This admission effectively ended his documentary career, and he stepped down from Warrior Poets shortly after.
Spurlock is survived by his two children, Laken and Kallen; his mother, Phyllis Spurlock; his father Ben (Iris); his brothers Craig (Carolyn) and Barry (Buffy); multiple nieces and nephews; and his former spouses, Alexandra Jamieson and Sara Bernstein.
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