Morgan Spurlock, an American filmmaker and screenwriter best known for his 2004 documentary film “Super Size Me” has died at 53 in New York City.

According to the New York Times, his brother Craig Spurlock said the filmmaker died of cancer complications.

Spurlock’s career took off with “Super Size Me” in 2004, where he famously documented his month-long experiment of eating only McDonald’s food and the impact of this diet on his physical and mental health. He also highlighted issues related to fast food consumption and the broader implications for public health.

The film earned him an Academy Award nomination and sparked widespread discussion about the fast food industry.

In 2017, he released a follow-up documentary, “Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken.”

In December 2017, Spurlock publicly admitted to past incidents of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour.

This admission led to his resignation from his production company, Warrior Poets, and a reevaluation of his career. Despite these challenges, Spurlock continued to work in the industry, albeit with a lower profile.

Spurlock continued to explore provocative themes in his subsequent documentaries, such as “Where in the World Is Osama bin Laden?” and “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold.” He also directed the popular “One Direction: This Is Us,” showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker. 

Spurlock was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, on November 7, 1970. He grew up in Beckley, West Virginia, and later attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he graduated with a degree in film in 1993.

He was married three times and had a son with his second wife, Alexandra Jamieson, a vegan chef and author who appeared in “Super Size Me.” 

In May 2016, he married Sara Bernstein, a senior vice president of HBO’s documentary division.