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Morgan Spurlock, the sassy documentary maker known for “Super Size Me,” which exposed the public health risks posed by fast-food marketing practices, died of cancer on Thursday in upstate New York.
He was 53 years old.
variety Morgan’s passing was confirmed in a statement from his brother, Craig Spurlock, which reportedly read, “It was a sad day as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan. He gave so much through his art, his ideas and his generosity. Today the world has lost a true creative genius and a special person. I am proud to have worked alongside him.”
In 2004, Spurlock’s “Super Size Me” followed his 30-day experiment of eating only McDonald’s food. His rule was that if a waiter offered to supersize something, he could never say no.
After it was all over, Spurlock claimed he had gained 25 pounds, become depressed and suffered from liver problems.
Though the film’s authenticity was later called into question, it became a pop culture sensation, grossing $22 million at the box office worldwide (roughly $36.5 million in 2024 dollars). The film is still used in classrooms today, and McDonald’s discontinued its super-sized menu items as a result of the film.
Spurlock was born on November 7, 1970 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and studied film at New York University.
In addition to Super Size Me, he has directed a variety of films, including Where’s Osama Bin Laden? (2008), Freakonomics (2010), Biggest Movies of All Time (2011), Mansam (2012) and Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! (2017).
In 2017, Spurlock confessed to being a chronic cheater in his personal life, settled a sexual harassment lawsuit with an assistant, and admitted to being accused of rape. He subsequently left the production company. TweetIn it, he repeatedly acknowledged that he was “part of the problem.”
Spurlock is survived by his two children, his parents, two siblings and many other family members.
His family is appealing for donations American Cancer Society Hope Lodge.