Morgan Spurlock, director and star of the 2004 Oscar-nominated documentary “Super Size Me” wherein he purportedly ate nothing but McDonald’s 30 straight days, has died of cancer at the age of 53.
He died Thursday from complications caused by an unspecified form of cancer, his family said in a statement Friday, according to The Associated Press.
“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 so proud to have worked together with him,” Mr. Spurlock’s brother Craig Spurlock said.
“Super Size Me” was nominated for an Oscar for best documentary.
During the film, Mr. Spurlock gained around 25 pounds, saw a spike in cholesterol and lost his sex drive.
Weeks after its release, McDonald’s axed the Super Size food at its restaurants, although it has denied any connection between the film and the menu changes, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
In the years since its release, “Super Size Me” has garnered more scrutiny. Mr. Spurlock admitted to drinking during filming and never released the logs he took of the meals he ate at McDonald’s in the documentary, according to the Daily Mail.
A sequel, “Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!” in 2017, involved Mr. Spurlock opening a fast-food chicken restaurant and exploring the chicken supply chain. It was pulled from the Sundance Film Festival after he confessed to a history of sexual misconduct. The documentary finally reached theaters in 2019.
Mr. Spurlock ultimately put out almost 70 documentaries and TV series.
“Spurlock fearlessly challenged modern conventions utilizing humor and wit to shed light on societal issues. His films inspired critical thinking and encouraged viewers to question the status quo,” his family said in the statement.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.