Renowned American documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, who rose to fame for his documentary “Super Size Me,” which gained popularity by documenting his experience of consuming only McDonald’s meals for 30 consecutive days, has passed away at the age of 53 due to complications from cancer on the evening of May 23, as confirmed by his brother on the 24th. He was surrounded by family and friends during his final moments in New York.
Spurlock’s 2004 documentary “Super Size Me,” which garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature, showcased his journey of consuming a McDonald’s-only diet for a month. After the experiment, he gained approximately 11 kilograms, experienced a surge in cholesterol levels, and was diagnosed with depression, liver diseases, among other health issues.
Amid growing concerns over obesity rates in the United States, the film used humor and satire to shed light on the consequences of fast food consumption. It prompted fast-food companies to rethink their strategies and incorporate healthier options on their menus. Shortly after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, McDonald’s announced the removal of the “Super Size” option from its menu.
Despite the documentary’s budget of about $65,000, it grossed over $22 million at the box office. While the accuracy of the issues depicted in the film has been a subject of debate over the years, “Super Size Me” still serves as supplementary educational material on health in some American schools.
Throughout his career, Spurlock produced and directed nearly 70 documentaries and television shows through his production company “Warrior Poets.” However, in 2017 during the rise of the #MeToo movement, Spurlock admitted to sexually harassing a female assistant and faced allegations of sexual assault from a university classmate, leading him to step down from his production company.