When you buy something through one of the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Morgan Spurlock, the influential director best known for his groundbreaking documentary “Super Size Me,” passed away on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024. He was 53 years old.
Spurlock’s family confirmed his death in a statement, citing complications from cancer as the cause. “It was a sad day, as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan,” said Craig Spurlock, Morgan’s brother and collaborator. “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.”
Spurlock’s career was launched with “Super Size Me,” a 2004 documentary that took the world by storm. In the film, Spurlock embarked on a self-experiment, eating nothing but McDonald’s food for a month. He documented the physical and mental toll this fast-food diet took on him, sparking a global conversation about health, nutrition, and the fast-food industry. “Super Size Me” was a critical and commercial success, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature.
After filming of the documentary, he gained 24.5 pounds, had a 15% increase in body fat, his cholestrol shot up by 65 points, and he said he developed fatty liver…as well as a more odd side-effect he called “whooshing” in his penis.
Regardless, the movie did make a positive impact with McDonald’s playing down the Supersize option then scrapping it altogether a month later and coming out with some healthier options.
It’s important to note that Spurlock didn’t pass as a result of his participation in filming the documentary. Dr. Darryl Isaacs (Spurlock’s internist) told The Post: “I last saw him two weeks ago. He was very sick. But the cancer was not caused by his having eaten all that fast food.” Isaacs was featured in the film and had known Spurlock for the subsequent years.
Spurlock went on to direct a number of other documentaries throughout his career, tackling subjects such as product placement (“POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold”), the energy industry (“Mansome”), and the dark side of reality television (“One Nation Under God”). However, “Super Size Me” remained his most iconic work, leaving a lasting impact on documentary filmmaking and public discourse around food culture.
Tributes poured in from across the film industry following Spurlock’s passing. Many lauded his willingness to push boundaries and challenge the status quo. Spurlock’s legacy will undoubtedly be one of a bold filmmaker who used his platform for entertainment and education.
