His family has confirmed the news of his passing.
"It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to my brother Morgan," said Craig Spurlock, who collaborated with his brother on various projects. "Morgan's contributions through his art, innovative ideas, and generosity were immense. Today, the world mourns the loss of a true creative genius and a remarkable individual. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work alongside him."
Spurlock gained widespread recognition for "Super Size Me," a documentary where he documented the effects of consuming McDonald's food exclusively for 30 days. The experiment also included the condition that Spurlock had to accept the "super-size" option whenever it was offered during his transactions. Additionally, he reduced his physical activity to match the average American's exercise routine. At the end of the experiment, Spurlock reported a weight gain of 25 pounds and experienced symptoms of depression and liver dysfunction.
Upon its release in 2004, "Super Size Me" resonated with audiences worldwide, grossing $22 million at the global box office and initiating discussions about the impact of the fast-food industry on public health. Following the film's release, McDonald's discontinued its "super-size" option. While the documentary continues to be used in educational settings, it has also faced scrutiny over its accuracy, with some critics questioning Spurlock's decision not to disclose his diet log from the filming period.
Born on November 7, 1970, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Spurlock was raised in the Methodist faith but later identified as agnostic. He graduated with a BFA in film from New York University in 1993.
In the years following "Super Size Me," Spurlock achieved further success through his production company Warrior Poets, producing and directing a variety of impactful projects.
He was known for his diverse range of works that tackled controversial and relevant topics. His projects delved into issues such as the U.S. war in Afghanistan in "Where In the World Is Osama Bin Laden", minimum wage and immigrant labor in "30 Days", consumer susceptibility to marketing in "The Greatest Movie Ever Sold", trophy hunting and body modification in "7 Deadly Sins", elder care and gambling in "Morgan Spurlock Inside Man", and corporate pressure on family farms in "Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!".