Morgan Spurlock, acclaimed for his groundbreaking documentary “Super Size Me,” passed away on Thursday in upstate New York due to cancer complications. He was 53 years old.
Spurlock’s family confirmed his death in a heartfelt statement. “It was a sad day, as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan,” said Craig Spurlock, who collaborated with his brother on numerous 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.”
A Notable Career in Documentary Filmmaking
Morgan Spurlock first gained widespread recognition with the release of “Super Size Me” in 2004. In this documentary, Spurlock undertook a unique experiment by consuming only McDonald’s food for an entire month. The rules of the experiment included that he must super-size his meal if offered and limit his physical activity to that of an average American. Over the 30 days, Spurlock gained 25 pounds and experienced various health issues, including depression and liver dysfunction.
“Super Size Me” struck a chord with audiences, grossing $22 million worldwide and igniting discussions about the fast food industry’s impact on public health. The film’s influence was significant, leading to McDonald’s discontinuing their super-size option shortly after the documentary’s release. Despite its popularity, the film also faced criticism regarding the accuracy of Spurlock’s dietary log during the experiment.
Early Life and Education
Born on November 7, 1970, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Morgan Spurlock was raised in a Methodist family but later identified as agnostic. He pursued his passion for film at New York University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1993.
Expanding Horizons Through Warrior Poets
Following the success of “Super Size Me,” Spurlock continued to explore various pressing issues through his production company, Warrior Poets. Over 13 years, he produced and directed nearly 70 documentaries and television series. His works addressed diverse and controversial topics, such as the U.S. war in Afghanistan in “Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?” and consumer susceptibility to advertising in “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold.” Other notable projects included “30 Days,” which explored minimum wage and immigrant labor, and “Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!” which delved into corporate pressures on family farms.
Impact of the #MeToo Movement
In December 2017, during the height of the #MeToo movement, Spurlock made a public confession on social media, admitting to serial infidelities and revealing that he had settled a sexual harassment allegation from a former assistant. He also disclosed an accusation of rape from his college years. This admission marked the end of his career in documentary filmmaking, and he stepped down from Warrior Poets shortly thereafter.
Legacy and Family
Morgan Spurlock leaves behind a legacy of impactful documentary filmmaking. He is survived by his two children, Laken and Kallen; his mother, Phyllis Spurlock; his father, Ben Spurlock (Iris); his brothers, Craig (Carolyn) and Barry (Buffy); several nieces and nephews; and his former spouses, Alexandra Jamieson and Sara Bernstein.
