Documentarian Morgan Spurlock, best known for the 2004 film Supersize Me, died Thursday at the age of 53.
Spurlock had been battling cancer, according to his family. He was a former smoker who quit before he embarked on his one-month binge of purely McDonald’s meals for three meals, which he turned into a movie. At the time, the fast food chain had the option to “supersize” any meal into its largest possible size, which Spurlock accepted whenever asked. His documentary eventually led to the end of the practice and an Oscar nod.
“It was a sad day, as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan,” Craig Spurlock said in a statement. “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.”
“Sad to hear my friend and filmmaker Morgan Spurlock passed away yesterday from cancer. Rest in Power buddy,” friend John Joseph wrote on X.
“RIP Morgan Spurlock. A very fine filmmaker,” film critic Stephen Gibbons wrote.
“Morgan Spurlock achieved what most artists only dream: he actually changed the world with his art,” fellow filmmaker Brett Morgen wrote. “He was an amazing father, brother, friend and one of the most important and influential filmmakers of my time. My heart breaks for his family and friends.”
Morgan Spurlock achieved what most artists only dream: he actually changed the world with his art. He was an amazing father, brother, friend and one of the most important and influential filmmakers of my time. My heart breaks for his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/1s4EF321Lx
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 24, 2024
At the end of his one-month binge, Morgan Spurlock gained 25 pounds, developed liver dysfunction, and reported that he felt depressed. Morgan Spurlock made the documentary to try and give credit to the allegations at the time that McDonald’s had affected the health of its customers.
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In 2017, Morgan Spurlock attempted a sequel documentary, this time about fast food chicken, called Supersize Me 2: Holy Chicken in an attempt to develop a healthy recipe. He helped produce other documentaries about everything from The Simpsons to voting to superheroes. The documentarian was also vocal on social media as he pursued activist issues.
Morgan Spurlock is survived by his sons Laken Spurlock and Kallen Spurlock, along with his brothers Craig Spurlock and Barry Spurlock.