(DailyDig.com) – The filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock, responsible for “Super Size Me,” a 2004 documentary of him eating only McDonald’s food for one month, has died at age 53.
He died on May 23 from cancer, according to a family statement. Spurlock’s brother, Craig, said that his brother gave generously to the world of his ideas and art. He was a special creative genius, and he was proud to have had the opportunity to work with him.
He was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1970. In 1993, he attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and became a playwright, where he received an award for 1999’s “The Phoenix.”
Spurlock’s first foray into the public as a filmmaker was the groundbreaking documentary that featured his psychological and physical degradation as he only consumed McDonald’s fare for one month. His physical results included gaining 25 pounds and increasing cholesterol.
In the movie, he asserted that America is known for its big cars, houses, companies, food, and, increasingly, its bigger people. Spurlock followed up his 2004 movie with a 2019 documentary about the food industry, “Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!,” which dealt with how the industry processes their animals. He aimed his criticism at the fast food industry’s attempts to delude the public into believing their food is healthy.
Spurlock’s movies have had an impact on the fast food industry, causing chains to claim farm-to-table and ethically sourced foods, but Spurlock stated in a 2019 interview that the actual nutrition of the food has not changed.
As his style of filmmaking gained traction, he ventured into other documentaries, including those of geeks drawn to events like Comic-Con. Spurlock embarked on a worldwide search to locate the leader of al-Qaeda in “Where in the World is Osama bin Laden?” in 2008. In “POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold,” he also tackled movies that used advertising and marketing when they included product placements.
His two sons, Kallen and Laken; mother, Phyllis; father, Ben; and brothers Barry and Craig survive Spurlock.
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