Acclaimed Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallée died suddenly this weekend at his cabin near Quebec City. He was 58 years old.
"His publicist, Bumble Ward, said his death had been unexpected," Livia Albeck-Ripka of The New York Times relayed. "Mr. Vallée was found on Sunday by friends who were going to visit him, said Lt. Benoit Richard, a spokesman for the Sûreté du Québec Police Department. The cause and further details were not immediately available."
Vallée is perhaps known best for directing Oscar darlings such as Dallas Buyers Club, for which he was almost nominated at the 86th Academy Awards for best achievement in film editing, and Wild. The Montreal native also directed smash HBO limited series Big Little Lies (2017-19) and Sharp Objects (2018).
Tributes to Vallée are pouring out across social media, including from Big Little Lies stars Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern and Shailene Woodley. See below.
My heart is broken. My friend. I love you. https://t.co/dvh63E8K7I
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) December 27, 2021
Beautiful Jean-Marc Vallee. The world has lost one of our great and purest artists and dreamers. And we lost our beloved friend. Our hearts are broken. pic.twitter.com/v9WXikI48e
— Laura Dern (@LauraDern) December 27, 2021
Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley Speak Out After Big Little Lies Director Jean-Marc Vallée Dies https://t.co/vVM0dWbqPM
— People (@people) December 27, 2021
Even if you’ve never heard of Jean-Marc Vallee, you’ve almost certainly seen his TV directing work on “Big Little Lies” & “Sharp Objects” or his movies like “Dallas Buyers Club” & “Wild.”
— Joshua Axelrod (@jaxelburgh) December 27, 2021
He had such a unique visual and narrative style. Such an immense talent gone too soon. RIP pic.twitter.com/gQhEYCeT4k
Jean-Marc Vallée was a brilliant, fiercely dedicated filmmaker who invested his whole self alongside every actor he directed. We are shocked at the news of his death and extend our sympathies to his sons, Alex and Émile and his extended family. pic.twitter.com/ihpW6mKPzO
— HBO Max (@hbomax) December 27, 2021
Jean-Marc Vallée is one of my favorites, I adore the rhythm of his editing and the way he thinks about memory and trauma, way ahead of the pack all trying to do the same thing. I think about his style all the time. So so sad
— cassidy xcx (@olsencassidy) December 27, 2021
#BigLittleLies and #DallasBuyersClub director Jean-Marc Vallée died suddenly over the weekend at 58. “Jean-Marc stood for creativity, authenticity and trying things differently,” a statement read
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) December 27, 2021
Read more on his legacy: https://t.co/5VhCPBB2FQ pic.twitter.com/6rNhVTe05b
Took this of Jean-Marc Vallee in 2019 in Careyes, Mexico during the ArteCareyes film fest. He was soulful and generous and loved music more than anything. He’d always wanted to be a rock star. In MTL we road bikes to Leonard Cohen’s house. He was one of the coolest I’ve ever met. pic.twitter.com/4UlzHqV0IY
— (((Malina Saval))) (@Malinasaval) December 27, 2021
Denis Villeneuve pays tribute to Jean-Marc Vallée: “Hey old man, what made you leave so early? How must I forget these lonesome tears in my eyes? As you already told me: go out there and shine, crazy diamond. I love you, my friend.” pic.twitter.com/vQgjrrql56
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) December 27, 2021
"As you told me before: go out there and shine, crazy diamond! I love you, my friend." Denis Villeneuve and more remember Jean-Marc Vallée: https://t.co/xEWtggEtm7 pic.twitter.com/Lt8PhsT0v0
— IndieWire (@IndieWire) December 27, 2021
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
My god, this is so unbelievably sad. What a huge loss. He was an incredibly talented filmmaker. Sending much love and condolences to his family. #RIPJeanMarc https://t.co/a511cPKLz6
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) December 27, 2021
Can’t believe it. Jean-Marc Vallée was a prodigious talent, and the only filmmaker to both open (DEMOLITION) and close (THE YOUNG VICTORIA) the Toronto International Film Festival. I’ll miss his fire. https://t.co/MCrHJQJvGg
— Cameron Bailey (@cameron_tiff) December 27, 2021
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