The family of filmmaker Morgan Spurlock has confirmed his death at the age of 53 following a private battle with cancer.

Speaking to the media, his family revealed Spurlock passed away on Thursday.

He was apparently surrounded by family and friends in New York when his passing took place, a moment that was described as “peaceful.”

“It was a sad day, as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan,” his brother, Craig Spurlock said. “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.”

Spurlock’s ‘Super Size Me’ Became A Cultural Icon

As an acclaimed documentary filmmaker, Morgan, rose to fame with his ground-breaking 2004 film Super Size Me. The film, which Spurlock both directed and starred in, explores the impact of fast food on health by documenting his 30-day experiment of eating only McDonald’s food.

The documentary’s stark revelations about the fast-food industry’s effects on health and corporate practices earned it critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature.

Following Super Size Me, Spurlock continued to tackle provocative and diverse subjects through his work. In 2008, he released Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden? where he humorously and critically examined U.S. foreign policy and the war on terror. Spurlock’s 2011 documentary The Greatest Movie Ever Sold delves into the world of advertising and product placement in films, funded entirely by the brands featured in the movie, thereby offering a meta-commentary on the subject.

His also had his own television series titled 30 Days, which aired from 2005 to 2008, which further cemented his reputation. Each episode placed participants in environments contrary to their usual lifestyle for 30 days, exploring themes such as immigration, religion, and minimum wage.

Morgan Faced Controversy In His Personal Life

Beyond his professional achievements, Spurlock’s personal life has also garnered public interest. He married Alexandra Jamieson in 2006, and they had a son named Laken James. The couple later divorced in 2011. In 2016, he married Sara Bernstein, and they have two children together.

However, Spurlock has been candid about his struggles with alcohol and sexual misconduct, addressing these issues publicly in 2017. He admitted to past behaviors (including accusations of sexual assault and infidelity) and stepped down from his production company, Warrior Poets.

“As I sit around watching hero after hero, man after man, fall at the realization of their past indiscretions, I don’t sit by and wonder ‘Who will be next?’” he said in a blog post addressing the allegations. “I wonder, ‘When will they come for me?’”

Nonetheless, Spurlock’s contributions to documentary filmmaking have left an indelible mark on the genre, characterized by his willingness to immerse himself in his subjects and confront controversial issues head-on. Despite personal challenges and controversies, his work continued to provoke thought and discussion, and will likely do so posthumously.