Film and television director Jean-Marc Vallée died unexpectedly at the age of 58, reported the specialized portal Deadline. Also a writer, editor, and producer, the talented Canadian filmmaker won Emmy awards and a DGA award for the series Big Little Lies, in addition to being nominated for an Oscar for his direction of Dallas Buyers Club, a film that won Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto an Oscar.
Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Vallée began his career making short films, but in 1995 he debuted with the feature film Black List. It wasn’t until the release of C.R.A.Z.Y. that he would gain massive recognition, winning four Genie Awards in Canada, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Director.
Dallas Buyers Club
After directing The Young Victoria and Cafe de Flore, the Canadian conquered the Hollywood industry with the direction of Dallas Buyers Club. The film was based on the real-life story of Ron Woodroof, a Texas electrician who was diagnosed with AIDS and given a month to live. The rugged Woodroof smuggled in alternative medicines and drugs, that were not approved in the U.S., to help himself and others suffering from AIDS have a chance to prolong their lives.
Released in 2013, starring McConaughey, Leto, and Jennifer Garner, the film was highly acclaimed by critics. Both McConaughey and Leto won Golden Globes, and repeated those wins at the Oscars, where the film was nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay; Vallée also received an Oscar nomination for Best Film Editing under his alias, John Mac McMurphy.
Big Little Lies
Most recently, in 2017, Vallée received the DGA Award and the Primetime Emmy Award for Best Directing for Big Little Lies, for which he also served as executive producer.
The series, which featured a notable cast including Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Reese Whitherspoon, won eight Emmy Awards and four Golden Globes. Vallée also directed and was executive producer of the HBO limited series Sharp Objects, which was nominated for eight Emmy Awards.
“Jean-Marc stood for creativity, authenticity, and trying things differently. He was a true artist and a generous, caring guy. Everyone who worked with him couldn’t help but see the talent and vision he possessed. He was a friend, a creative partner, and a big brother to me. The master will be deeply missed, but it is comforting to know that his beautiful style and impactful work that he shared with the world will live on,” said Nathan Ross, Production Partner.
Translated by María Isabel Carrasco Cara Chards
