Critically acclaimed screenwriter and filmmaker, Jean-Marc Vallée has passed away at the age of 58. The director was found in his cabin in the outskirts of Quebec City, Canada. The cause of death is still unknown. His family and people close to him are dealing with the shocking news and the sudden nature of the incident.
Best known for his work on ‘Dallas Buyers Club, Jean-Marc Vallée’s film was nominated for Oscar for Best Film, which also won Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto their respective Oscars for their roles in the movie.
Nathan Ross, Jean-Marc Vallée’s partner said in a statement regarding his demise, “Jean-Marc stood for creativity, authenticity and trying things differently. 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.”
Jean-Marc Vallée studied filmmaking professionally at the Collège Ahuntsic and the Université du Québec à Montréal. The renowned director was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. Vallée made his debut with ‘Black List’ in 1995, but his first major breakthrough came with writing and directing ‘C.R.A.Z.Y.’ in 2005, winning him four Genie Awards in Canada including Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Screenplay.
Other major projects that Jean-Marc Vallée was a part of were HBO’s ‘Sharp Objects’, the film adaption of Cheryl Strayed’s memoir ‘Wild’, HBO’s ‘Big Little Lies, ‘Demolition’ among several other notable works. Sharp Objects won eight Emmy nominations, while Big Little Lies won eight Emmys and four Golden Globes in total.
HBO released their own statement for the news, “Jean-Marc Vallée was a brilliant, fiercely dedicated filmmaker, a truly phenomenal talent who infused every scene with a deeply visceral, emotional truth. He was also a hugely caring man who invested his whole self alongside every actor he directed. We are shocked at the news of his sudden death, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to his sons, Alex and Émile, his extended family, and his longtime producing partner, Nathan Ross.”
Vallée is survived by three of his siblings and two sons Alex and Émile.
