In the documentary “Super Size Me” from 2004, Morgan Spurlock’s daily intake was 5,000 calories, frequently choosing the largest meal size available and limiting physical activity to demonstrate the impact of a fast-food diet. The filmmaker, renowned for his month-long McDonald’s diet, has died.
At 53, Spurlock succumbed to cancer in New York, as confirmed by his family.
His brother, Craig Spurlock, stated: “Through his creativity, thoughts, and kindness, Morgan contributed immensely.
“He was a genuine innovator and an extraordinary individual. Working with him was an honor that filled me with pride.”
Morgan Spurlock, born on November 7, 1970, initially pursued a career in playwriting before creating “I Bet You Will,” an online series where public participants performed stunts for money.
The webcasts from 2002 featured challenges such as eating an entire jar of mayonnaise for $235 or drinking a shot of cod liver oil, which attracted MTV’s interest and led to its acquisition. Spurlock rose to fame with his 2004 documentary “Super Size Me,” where he ate only McDonald’s meals for 30 days to examine the growing obesity problem in the US.
During this period, he consumed an average of 5,000 calories daily, always choosing the “super-size” option when available, and reduced his physical activity to mirror the typical American lifestyle at the time.
By the end of his experiment, Spurlock reported a weight gain of 25 pounds (11.3 kg), along with symptoms of depression and liver problems.
“Super Size Me” was a commercial hit, grossing $22 million worldwide and earning an Academy Award nomination.
The film prompted McDonald’s to discontinue its “super-size” meals in 2004. However, Spurlock’s refusal to share his food diaries led to some skepticism about the documentary’s accuracy.
In 2017, Spurlock revealed his struggles with alcoholism, which some documentary filmmakers suggested could explain his liver issues and mental health problems.
Spurlock’s follow-up documentary, “Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!,” was released in 2019, continuing his critique of the fast-food industry.
The documentary showcased Spurlock opening his own restaurant, thereby “joining the issue” he critiques, as he examines the claimed healthiness of meals at major restaurant chains.
Spurlock’s other works include the 2008 film “Where in the World Is Osama bin Laden?” and, unexpectedly, the 2013 concert film “One Direction: This Is Us.” In 2017, he admitted to past instances of s*xual misconduct and stepped down from Warrior Poets, the production company he founded in 2004.