Morgan Spurlock dead: Super Size Me filmmaker, who eats McDonald's for 30 days, dies aged 53 due to cancer

Morgan Spurlock, the documentary filmmaker known for capturing his own psychological and physical symptoms from eating McDonald’s every day for a month in the 2004 Oscar-nominated film “Super Size Me,” died aged 53 on Thursday in upstate New York due to complications from cancer.

Spurlock's family confirmed his death in a statement. It said: “It was a sad day, as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan,” says Craig Spurlock, who worked with his brother on several projects. “Morgan gave so much through his art, ideas and generosity. Today the world has lost a true creative genius and a special man. I am so proud to have worked together with him.”

Spurlock gained fame for “Super Size Me,” in which he conducted an experiment by eating only McDonald’s food for 30 days in a row. The experiment required him to always accept the “super-size” option when offered and to reduce his physical activity to match that of the average American. By the end of the month, Spurlock reported a weight gain of 25 pounds and experienced depression and liver dysfunction.