NEW YORK, NY – Morgan Spurlock, the Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker known for his exploration of American eating habits, has passed away at the age of 53. Spurlock gained fame for his daring project in which he consumed only McDonald’s meals for a month, highlighting the health risks of a fast-food diet.

Spurlock succumbed to cancer on Thursday in New York, as confirmed by a statement from his family released on Friday.

“It was a sad day as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan,” shared Craig Spurlock, who collaborated with him on several projects. “Morgan contributed immensely through his art, ideas, and generosity. The world has lost a true creative genius and a remarkable man. I am incredibly proud to have worked alongside him.”

Spurlock made waves in 2004 with his revolutionary documentary “Super Size Me.” He followed it up in 2019 with “Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!” which offered a critical look at the poultry industry in America, processing 9 billion animals annually.

Spurlock was known for his gonzo-style filmmaking, embracing the eccentric and the absurd. His films featured lively graphics and humorous music, blending a Michael Moore-esque confrontational style with his unique brand of humor and empathy.

Following his exposés on the fast-food and chicken industries, there was a surge in restaurants emphasizing fresh, artisanal, farm-to-table, and ethically sourced food. Despite this shift, Spurlock noted that the nutritional landscape hadn’t improved significantly.

“There has been this massive shift and people say to me, ‘So has the food gotten healthier?’ And I say, ‘Well, the marketing sure has,’” he remarked in an AP interview in 2019.