Jean-Marc Vallée, the acclaimed film director who directed the 2013 movie “Dallas Buyers Club,” died Sunday near Quebec City, Canada, according to his production company’s publicist. He was 58 years old at the time.
“He was a friend, creative partner and an older brother to me,” Nathan Ross, a partner in Vallée’s production company Crazyrose, said in a statement. “The maestro will sorely be missed but it comforts knowing his beautiful style and impactful work he shared with the world will live on.”
Before making his feature debut with the French-language film “Liste noire,” also known by its English title “Black List,” the filmmaker worked on Canadian music videos and short subjects.
“Dallas Buyers Club,” a 2013 film based on the actual tale of an AIDS sufferer who becomes a distributor of experimental therapies, was his breakout picture in the United States. Despite the fact that Vallée’s directing was not acknowledged by the Academy, the picture was nominated for Best Picture, and its actors Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto both received Oscar nominations for their performances.
Vallée began her career in television in 2017 as an executive producer on HBO’s “Big Little Lies.” He also won an Emmy for directing the whole first season of the show. Vallée then directed every episode of HBO’s “Sharp Objects,” which he also executive produced. According to Deadline, Vallée and Ross inked a new development contract with HBO in April.