The acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée has died suddenly at the age of 58.
As reported by Deadline, the director passed away suddenly at his cabin outside Quebec City, leaving his family in shock. “Jean-Marc stood for creativity, authenticity and trying things differently,” his producing partner Nathan Ross said.
“He was a true artist and a generous, loving guy. Everyone who worked with him couldn’t help but see the talent and vision he possessed. He was a friend, creative partner and an older brother to me. The maestro will sorely be missed but it comforts knowing his beautiful style and impactful work he shared with the world will live on.”
Vallée leaves behind one of the finest filmmaking legacies of the last 20 years. His breakout project came in 2013 when he directed Dallas Buyers Club, the critical darling movie that earned Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto Academy Awards. It was nominated for several other Oscars, including for Best Film Editing (as John Mac McMurphy, Vallée’s alias), Best Picture, and Best Original Screenplay.
That movie was followed in swift succession by the Reese Witherspoon-starring Wild in 2015, which also secured three Oscar nods, and the comedy-drama Demolition the following year.
He then turned his attention to TV with excellent results. For his work on the HBO Limited Series Big Little Lies, Vallée earned the DGA Award and Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in 2017. He also directed and executive produced the similarly acclaimed HBO Limited Series Sharp Objects, which received eight Emmys.
Before his death, he was attached to direct another Limited Series for HBO, Gorilla and the Bird. Vallée is survived by his sons, Alex and Emile, and siblings Marie-Josée Vallée, Stéphane Tousignant and Gérald Vallée.
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Watch the cast of Demolition discuss Jean-Marc Vallée’s unique shooting style:
