Morgan Spurlock, the documentary filmmaker renowned for his groundbreaking and controversial work, particularly the Oscar-nominated 2004 feature “Super Size Me,” died Thursday in upstate New York due to complications of cancer. He was 53.
Spurlock’s family confirmed his death in a statement. “It was a sad day, as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan,” says 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.”
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Spurlock rose to fame with “Super Size Me,” an experiment in which he consumed only food from McDonald’s for 30 days. The rules of the experiment included accepting the “super-size” option whenever offered and reducing his physical activity to match that of an average American. By the end of the month, Spurlock claimed he had gained 25 pounds and experienced depression and liver dysfunction.
The documentary struck a chord upon its release in 2004, grossing $22 million worldwide and igniting a discussion about the fast food industry’s role in promoting poor nutrition. Following the documentary’s impact, McDonald’s discontinued its “super-size” option. While the film remains a staple in educational health classes, it has faced scrutiny over its accuracy, particularly due to Spurlock’s refusal to release his diet log from the experiment.
n every frame of his work, Morgan Spurlock challenged us to see the world differently, to question the status quo, and to embrace the power of storytelling as a force for change.
Born on November 7, 1970, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Spurlock was raised in a Methodist household, though he identified as agnostic later in life. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in film from New York University in 1993.
In the years following “Super Size Me,” Spurlock achieved further success through his production company, Warrior Poets, producing and directing nearly 70 documentary films and television series. His works often tackled contentious and current issues, ranging from the U.S. war in Afghanistan (“Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?”) to 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 pressures on family farms (“Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!”).
Spurlock’s career came to an abrupt halt in December 2017 during the #MeToo movement when he admitted in a social media post to being “part of the problem.” He confessed to serial infidelities, a settled sexual harassment allegation, and a college rape accusation. This revelation led to his resignation from Warrior Poets and effectively ended his documentary career.
Morgan Spurlock is survived by his two children, Laken and Kallen; mother, Phyllis Spurlock; father, Ben (Iris); brothers, Craig (Carolyn) and Barry (Buffy); multiple nieces and nephews; and former spouses, Alexandra Jamieson and Sara Bernstein.
