Morgan Spurlock, documentary filmmaker behind "Super Size Me," dies at 53

Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, an Oscar nominee who made food and American diets his life's work, famously eating only at McDonald's for a month to illustrate the dangers of a fast-food diet, has died. He was 53.

Spurlock died Thursday in New York from complications of cancer, according to a statement issued Friday by his family, The Associated Press reported.

"It was a sad day, as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan," Craig Spurlock, who worked with him on several projects, in the statement. "Morgan gave so much through his art, ideas, and generosity. The world has lost a true creative genius and a special man. I am so proud to have worked together with him."