Filmmaker behind McDonald's documentary “Super Size Me” dies at 53

(CNN) — Morgan Spurlock, the Academy Award-nominated filmmaker and former CNN host whose McDonald's documentary “Super Size Me,” died Thursday of complications from cancer, his family said.

Spurlock, 53, died in New York surrounded by family and friends, his brother said in a statement.

“It was a sad day when we said goodbye to my brother Morgan,” said Craig Spurlock. “Morgan gave so much through his art, ideas and generosity. The world has lost a true creative genius and a special human being. I am so honored to work with him.”

Spurlock's career as a director was varied and unpredictable. He's best known for “Super Size Me,” which sparked a national conversation (and no shortage of controversy) about America's relationship with fast food. The film involved his experiment of eating only McDonald's food for 30 days, and during a sales transaction he had to “maximize” his food order.

But he also made a satirical documentary about the hunt for Osama bin Laden, a movie about the concert One Direction, and a movie about Homer Simpson and baseball.
For several years, Spurlock hosted a popular CNN original series, “Morgan Spurlock Inside Man.”

Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the future filmmaker grew up in Beckley, where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. He later graduated from New York University in 1993.

Spurlock is the founder of New York-based production studio Warrior Poets, and his first film, “Super Size Me,” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004, earning him Best Director honors.

The film won the inaugural Writers Guild of America Award for Best Documentary Screenplay, as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature.

Spurlock's willingness to examine the effects of eating fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the documentary captivated audiences. He gained 25 pounds (11 kg) and documented the negative effects it had on his body.

His 2019 release is “Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken”.

2008's “Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?” And buoyed by the success of his first project in other documentaries, including 2011's “POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold.” 30 Days” in 2005 and helped Hulu dive into original programming with the platform's first series, “A Day in the Life.”

In 2017, as the #MeToo movement gained momentum, Spurlock admitted to past sexual misconduct in a statement posted on social media.

“After months of these revelations, I understand that I am not an innocent bystander, but I am part of the problem,” he wrote at the time, referring to the recent wave of sexual misconduct allegations against prominent men.

He resigned as CEO of his production company.

Spurlock was also a prolific writer and producer. “Rats,” “7 Deadly Sins” and “No Man's Land” are some of his other credits.