Jean-Marc Vallée, the director of the award-winning film “Dallas Buyers Club” and the popular HBO series “Big Little Lies,” passed away Sunday in Quebec, Canada.
Vallée’s publicist Bumble Ward confirmed Vallée’s sudden death in his cabin on Sunday, the Associated Press (AP) reported. “Still in shock over the news that Jean-Marc Vallée has died. What you may not know is that he was sweet and kind, full of gratitude, remembered birthdays and sent awesome mixtapes, while still being a creative genius. Rest In Peace,” Ward wrote Monday.
Still in shock over the news that Jean-Marc Vallée has died. What you may not know is that he was sweet and kind, full of gratitude, remembered birthdays and sent awesome mixtapes, while still being a creative genius. Rest In Peace. https://t.co/bArUdskM0i
— Bumble Ward (@BumbleWard) December 27, 2021
The Canadian filmmaker received praise and recognition in the film industry for his naturalistic style of filmmaking, the news wire reported. Vallée often eschewed artificial lighting in favor of natural light, and would sometimes record scenes using hand-held cameras. He would even give actors the opportunity to improvise dialogue in the works he helmed, the AP noted.
Vallée directed multiple movies and television shows featuring strong female characters in lead roles, according to the New York Times. During his time directing movies, he had worked with several award-winning actors such as Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Actor Rupert Friend, actress Emily Blunt, director Jean-Marc Vallee, producer Sarah Ferguson, Dutchess of York and producer Graham King arrive at the U.S. premiere of Apparition’s “The Young Victoria” held at the Pacific Grove Theaters on December 3, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Before his 1995 debut feature film “Liste Noir,” Vallée began his career by working on multiple short films and Canadian music videos, according to the AP. He directed the 2009 Queen Victoria biopic “The Young Victoria,” which garnered three Academy Award nominations.
The 2013 movie “Dallas Buyers Club,” featuring Matthew McConaughey, won him the most acclaim. The movie was based on actual events in the life of Ron Woodruff, an AIDS patient, rodeo rider, and electrician from Texas, who in the 1980s had smuggled unauthorized drugs into the U.S. to help treat HIV. (RELATED: Dating Apps Could Be Driving Cause Of Skyrocketing HIV Cases In Philippines, Health Advocates Say)
The film received six Academy Award nominations, winning three, including Best Actor for Matthew McConaughey and Best Supporting Actor for Jared Leto.
Director Jean-Marc Vallee, winner of the award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series for ‘Big Little Lies’, poses in the press room during the 70th Annual Directors Guild Of America Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 3, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 08: Actor Matthew McConaughey, director Jean-Marc Vallée and actor Jared Leto attend Variety Studio Presented by Moroccanoil at Holt Renfrew during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Variety)
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 08: Actor Matthew McConaughey and director Jean-Marc Vallée attend Variety Studio Presented by Moroccanoil at Holt Renfrew during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Variety)
“He was a friend, creative partner and an older brother to me,” American film producer Nathan Ross, who co-founded film production company Crazyrose with Vallée, said in a statement, according to CNN. “The maestro will sorely be missed but it comforts knowing his beautiful style and impactful work he shared with the world will live on.”