(ProsperNews.net) – Morgan Spurlock, creator of the 2004 documentary Super Size Me, has died at age 53. The filmmaker’s family issued a statement saying he had succumbed to cancer and related complications and that the world had “lost a true creative genius and a special man.” Mr. Spurlock’s controversial documentary followed his journey as he ate only McDonald’s food for thirty days. His integrity regarding the project was later called into question, however, when he admitted that heavy drinking had skewed liver test results during the experiment.
Nevertheless, he said the diet caused him to suffer depression, gain 25 pounds, and lose his libido. The confession regarding liver testing came after Swedish students conducted the same experiment and found little negative impact.
Spurlock produced dozens of documentaries throughout his career, but Super Size Me brought him an Oscar nomination and worldwide fame. In the film’s follow-up, Super Size Me 2—Holy Chicken!, the documentary maker focused on fast food outlets and their attempts to persuade consumers that they offered healthy options. However, Mr. Spurlock largely presented this as a marketing scam and was credited with highlighting important aspects of the American diet.
The Super Size Me series was considered so influential that McDonald’s introduced a new menu soon after the first film’s release, even though it insisted the timing was coincidental. The movies, particularly the 2004 production, were also a financial success. Part one cost $65,000 to make but earned $22 million at the box office.
When the MeToo movement emerged, Mr. Spurlock’s integrity would again be challenged as he admitted he was once accused of rape and, separately, sexual harassment. He called himself “part of the problem” and acknowledged that his history of heavy drinking had influenced his behavior and caused him to do things he regretted, including cheating during his three marriages.
Despite this, Spurlock’s ex-wives paid tribute to him on social media after his death. Sara Bernstein, who married him in 2017, said she and her son would “miss him forever.”
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