Beckley, West Virginia – Filmmaker and former CNN series host Morgan Spurlock passed away Thursday due to complications from cancer, according to his family. Spurlock, best known for his documentary “Super Size Me,” which was nominated for an Academy Award, was 53 years old at the time of his death in New York. His brother, Craig Spurlock, described it as a sad day, praising Morgan for his art, ideas, and kindness.
Spurlock’s career as a director was diverse and unexpected. While “Super Size Me” sparked a national dialogue on America’s fast-food culture, he also tackled subjects like the search for Osama bin Laden and even created a film centering on Homer Simpson and baseball. Additionally, he hosted the popular CNN Original series “Morgan Spurlock Inside Man.”
Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Spurlock was raised in Beckley and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School before attending New York University. He founded the New York-based production studio Warrior Poets and gained recognition at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 for “Super Size Me.”
The success of his first film led Spurlock to explore other documentaries, including “Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?” and “POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold.” He also ventured into reality television with “30 Days” and helped launch Hulu’s original programming with “A Day in the Life.”
In 2017, amidst the #MeToo movement, Spurlock admitted to past sexual misconduct in a social media post. He acknowledged his role in the problem, prompting him to step down as CEO of his production company.
Throughout his career, Spurlock demonstrated a willingness to experiment and explore different facets of storytelling. His impact on the documentary genre and popular culture will be remembered in the years to come.