Morgan Spurlock

About: Morgan Spurlock is an American documentary filmmaker, television producer, and opinion columnist known for his unique and provocative approach to storytelling. Born on November 7, 1970, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Spurlock has distinguished himself in the film industry through his bold and thought-provoking documentary work. He gained widespread recognition with his first feature-length film, "Super Size Me," which premiered in 2004. This documentary, where Spurlock ate only McDonald's food for 30 days to examine the impact of fast food on health, won numerous awards and spurred a global conversation about nutrition and corporate responsibility.

Before Fame: Spurlock's path to fame began with a strong foundation in education and a penchant for the arts. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, West Virginia, before moving on to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where he received a BFA in film in 1993. Before his breakthrough with "Super Size Me," Spurlock dabbled in various creative pursuits, including writing and producing for television. He worked as a playwright and virtually spent years honing his craft, with his early endeavors including hosting the reality TV show "I Bet You Will" on MTV.

Trivia:

1. "Super Size Me" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2005.
2. The documentary led McDonald’s to eventually phase out their super-size meals.
3. Spurlock followed up "Super Size Me" with multiple other documentaries including "Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?" and "POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold."
4. He created the TV series "30 Days," where participants were immersed in a lifestyle dramatically different from their own for a month.
5. His documentary "Rats" is based on the book by Robert Sullivan and explores the relationship between humans and rats.

Family Life: Morgan Spurlock has been married twice. He first married Alexandra Jamieson, a vegan chef who appeared in "Super Size Me"; the couple later divorced in 2011. Spurlock then married Sara Bernstein in 2016. He has a son, Laken James Spurlock, with his first wife. His personal life took a significant turn in 2017 when he published a #MeToo confession on Twitter, detailing his history of sexual misconduct, a move that led to his resignation from his production company, Warrior Poets.

Associated With: Morgan Spurlock has collaborated with a wide variety of creative professionals and public figures. In "POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold," he examined the world of advertising and product placement, featuring various industry insiders. His work has also been influenced by documentary filmmakers like Michael Moore, known for using film as a means of social critique. Spurlock’s unconventional approach and willingness to place himself at the center of his documentaries have made him a notable figure in the realm of investigative storytelling.