Morgan Spurlock dies at 53

"The world has lost a true creative genius," brother says

by Jennie Kermode

Morgan Spurlock (right) with Michael Moore and Jon Alpert
Morgan Spurlock (right) with Michael Moore and Jon Alpert Photo: Anne Katrin Titze

Morgan Spurlock, the documentarian behind Super Size me and Freakonomics, has died at the age of 53, his family revealed today.

"Morgan gave so much through his art, ideas, and generosity," said his brother and sometime artistic collaborator, Craig Spurlock. "The world has lost a true creative genius and a special man. I am so proud to have worked together with him."

Best known for attempting to live for a month on only Macdonalds super size meals, Spurlock went on to make films including Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden?, Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope and boy band profile One Direction: This Is Us. His career faltered after he confessed to sexual harassment at the height of the #MeToo movement, a choice which he said had been intended to emphasise the need for soul-searching and honesty in order to bring about change, but which others suggested was a strategic move intended to head off impending accusations.

Spurlock struggled with alcoholism and a variety of health problems, eventually succumbing to complications of cancer. He is survived by his two sons, Laken and Kallen.

Share this with others on...
News

Man about town Gay Talese on Watching Frank, Frank Sinatra, and his latest book, A Town Without Time

Magnificent creatures Jayro Bustamante on giving the girls of Hogar Seguro a voice in Rita

A unified vision DOC NYC highlights and cinematographer Michael Crommett on Dan Winters: Life Is Once. Forever.

Poetry and loss Géza Röhrig on Terrence Malick, Josh Safdie, and Richard Kroehling’s After: Poetry Destroys Silence

'I’m still enjoying the process of talking about Julie and advocating for her silence' Leonardo van Dijl on Belgian Oscar nominee Julie Keeps Quiet

More news and features

Interact

More competitions coming soon.