OBITUARIES

'Casino Jack' Director George Hickenlooper Found Dead at 47

by
November 1, 2010
Source: The New York Times, The Wrap

George Hickenlooper / Barack Obama

Over the past couple months the festival circuit has been graced by the presence of director George Hickenlooper, the man behind such films as the Apocalypse Now behind-the-scenes documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse, Factory Girl and, most recently, Casino Jack starring Kevin Spacey as hated lobbyist Jack Abramoff. However, whilst in Denver, Colorado visiting his cousin, mayor John Hickenlooper, and attending yet another film festival, The New York Times reports that the filmmaker was found dead over the weekend. At 47 years-old, Hickenlooper has apparently died of natural causes and no foul play is expected. Read on!

As far as his friends and family are aware, Hickenlooper had not been experience any health problems  and the director had been quite energetically, and excitedly promoting Casino Jack at various film festivals in Toronto, Austin and other U.S. locales. Documentarian Mogran Spurlock even chronicled some of his festival activities in the AMC documentary Committed, an hour-long chronicle of four different filmmakers as they find themselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Toronto International Film Festival. From that documentary alone, you could really get a sense of Hickenlooper's warmth, passion and humble demeanor.

From The Wrap, Roger Ebert remorsed, "The is hearbtreaking," while Casino Jack star Kevin Spacey recently made a statement about the tragic death of the filmmaker:

"I can’t believe he's gone because George was so alive, bubbling with energy, drive, commitment, an open heart and a brilliant sense of humor. He was one of a kind. My experience working with him was nothing short of fantastic: from our prison visit with Jack Abramoff, to script meetings, pre-production discussions and finally our first day of shooting. From that day until our last event premiering Casino Jack in Toronto last month, he was a joy to be around. His sensibility and outlook served his everyday. All of us who knew him – who had the chance to collaborate with him – who saw the child in him that he never lost - always looking at life with wonder and curiosity – will miss him with enormous admiration and affection. Tonight I raise a glass in his honor. Rest in peace, my friend."

I think we can all join Mr. Spacey in raising our glasses to George Hickenlooper, a man who dabbled in documentaries and fact-based dramas, and a loved filmmaker and friend to many in his field. In addition to his aforementioned work, the director was also responsible for directing the short film Some Call It a Sling Blade which Billy Bob Thornton wrote and directed before it was adapted into the feature length film Sling Blade. The industry has lost a truly gifted talent behind the camera and our thoughts go out to his friends and family.

Find more posts: Movie News, Obituaries, Opinions

6 Comments

1

Sad news indeed. RIP.

Xerxex on Nov 1, 2010

2

rest in peace.

Al on Nov 1, 2010

3

I was in one of his first plays, Crusade, in 1987. It was my first acting gig and he worked with me closely and gave me a lead role. I recently found the stage reading from an old box in the basement and was rereading it just last week. My fondest memories and will miss him. John

we will miss him on Nov 1, 2010

4

Kind of reminds me of when Stanley Kubrick died just 3 days after showing his final film, "Eyes Wide Shut", to WB executives. I have seen this thing happening a lot to certain film makers. What is strange was that the people close to Hickenlooper had no reason to think his life was going to end.

Alex on Nov 1, 2010

5

And the important thing to understand is that anybody can report that someone died of natural causes, whether true or not, so long as a large enough sum of money is passed over to do so. There's been plenty of assasinations in history which show this to be the case. Not that I'm saying this was an assasination, nor am I saying it's not. Just something to think about...

Higher IQ than You on Nov 1, 2010

6

It's always well like people that seem to die young, while assholes and hated figures go on to live for years. Very sad time for his family, tragic news.

DiR3cT on Nov 2, 2010

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