Morgan Spurlock, Director of "Super Size Me," Dies at 53
Documentary Filmmaker Examined Consequences of Fast Food Diet
Premiered at 2004 Sundance Film Festival, Won Grand Jury Prize
Morgan Spurlock, the documentary filmmaker who captured his own psychological and physical transformation after eating nothing but McDonald's for 30 days, has died at the age of 53. Spurlock's most famous film, "Super Size Me," premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, where he won the Grand Jury Prize for directing.
In "Super Size Me," Spurlock ate three meals a day at McDonald's, choosing only items that were on the menu at the time. He also agreed to walk or run for at least 45 minutes each day and to not take any prescription drugs or supplements. By the end of the 30 days, Spurlock had gained 24 pounds, developed fatty liver disease, and experienced mood swings and headaches.
"Super Size Me" was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $11 million worldwide. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Spurlock's work has been credited with raising awareness of the health risks associated with fast food and influencing McDonald's to make changes to its menu.
In the years since "Super Size Me," Spurlock has directed and produced a number of other documentaries, including "Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?," "POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold," and "Rats." He also hosted the television show "30 Days" on FX, in which he spent 30 days living in different communities to experience different perspectives.
Spurlock's death is a loss to the documentary film community and to the fight against obesity. His work has helped to raise awareness of the importance of healthy eating and the dangers of fast food. He will be remembered as a passionate and innovative filmmaker who was not afraid to challenge the status quo.
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